Greetings from Mid-Michigan –
The Great Lakes State!
Pure Michigan!
Happy Valentine’s Day!! We are now into the second month of the new year. I hope all of the resolutions are still going strong and everyone is sticking with it, whatever they may be.
I have had many conversations and have been asked by members what can be done to help solve the pension crisis. One thing that you can personally do to help out is to donate to the NECPAC Fund. By having even $.05 cents per hour taken out of your paycheck and sent to the PAC Fund will help put the right people in place to help our trade and protect our pension. On a 40 hour week, that’s only $2.00 per week. The company will take that money out automatically and send it into the PAC Fund monthly and you won’t even miss it. Help protect that pot of gold we are all striving to get to eventually.
Only sign for the work you are doing. Do not check off the whole list of tasks if you did not do all of them. It may come back to bite you. Make sure to follow the proper testing procedures. If you have questions on anything, please call the Union Hall.
Reminder – Make sure you have a permit before you start the job. State rules require a permit first.
The Traverse City and Marquette meetings were a big success. We had great attendance at both with a lot of good information from Scott Hultstrom from Work Preservation and Vance Ayres from the International. Thanks to both of them for making the long trip up to the UP and Traverse City with me and thank you to the members that attended the meetings. We appreciate you being involved!
Another reminder to Mechanics and Apprentices working together – Apprentices need to be learning something each day. I know some Mechanics complain about having to train their Apprentices, but it is what it is. Someone trained you and now you need to train the next in line to become Mechanics. Jobs may take a little longer to put in, but this is the way it has always been. Make sure there is a plan every day on safety too.
Work is still busy. We have fourteen Probationary Apprentices working. Jake Harris was sworn into the Union last month.
Safety, Safety, Safety! Please be safe and pay attention at all times. The injuries/fatalities have got to come to an end. Every morning before starting work, take a minute to go over the 9 Safety Absolutes for a reminder to be safe all day. For those of you that do not know what they are – (1) Fall Protection, (2) Electrical Safe Work Practices, (3) Jumpers, (4) Lockout/Tagout, (5) Mechanical Stored Energy, (6) Car Top Access/Egress, (7) Pit Access/Egress, (8) False Car & Running/Working Platforms, (9) Hoisting & Rigging – These nine safety absolutes are process all elevator companies should work within on a daily basis.
Dates to remember:
February 14, 2019 Valentine’s Day
February 18, 2019 President’s Day – Not our Holiday
February 26, 2019 Union Meeting
Big Buck Contest:
The Big Buck Contest has wrapped up. We will have the winner’s picture in next month’s article. As of the writing of this article the contest has not ended yet.
Golden Rail Club:
Kalamazoo: 2.6.2019 First Wednesday at 10:00 am, New Location Uncle Ernie’s Pancake House, 4005 Portage Rd, Portage
Grand Rapids: 2.18.2019 *New start time-Third Monday at 8:30 am, New Beginnings, 1455 Michigan Street, NE, Grand Rapids
Lansing: 2.20.2019 Third Wednesday at 9:00 am, Zeus’ Restaurant, 6525 Pennsylvania, Lansing
Communication is the key to our success. Input by everyone is needed. This is your Local. Please get involved! If we all communicate, we will be a lot stronger and more successful.
Work Safe,
Mike Janca
Mike@iuec85.org
