Greetings from Mid-Michigan – The Great Lakes State!
The welding trailer arrived April 8, 2015 and what a site to see. The Iron Workers and the Teamsters were curious as to what I was talking about and now they know. At this time we only have about 40 members signed up. I hope seeing it in the lot will get another 40 or more members signed up. We all pay into NEIEP to provide us the best training available and now we need to use it. It’s time to get involved in classes and to better ourselves. There are many classes that are available to every mechanic, either in class or online through NEIEP, so what are you waiting for?
I like the little things like winning a grievance, helping a member to get disability, seeing members pay an injured or out of work members’ dues, retiree coffee or a few extra members at the union meeting. You will see a photo of Brian Sullivan, a Local 85 retiree and proud grandpa with his 4 grandsons, 3 of which were born only a week apart. Connor, age 4 is the proud big brother of Mason born November 15th. Carter and Hayden were born December 1st. Needless to say retirement is very enjoyable and quite busy for Brian with the birth of these 4 grandsons. This is why we work and why we should work safe every day, “FAMILY”.
A member died on the job in Local 2 in April only days before I started to write this article, it is a tragedy. I don’t know much about the accident, but I know he left a grieving family, friends and union brothers/sisters saddened by his loss. I do not know what will stop these deaths and injuries on the job, but I have a few suggestions.
Take time to do the job safely.
Do your best to keep your mind on the job.
Do every job as if it will define your ability as a mechanic.
Do not take any short cuts.
No elevator is more important than YOU!
No job is more important than YOU!
Work at a speed you feel is safe, to hell with anyone else’s opinion.
Do not be bullied to work unsafe, there are other jobs and employers.
Go home every day, if not for yourself, do it for the people that love and care about YOU.
Very rarely do I talk about YOU as a singular person since union is about the brotherhood, teamwork and others, however YOU are the one person that can save a life.
NEIEP:
I hope you will take advantage of our school program and take several Continuing Education classes throughout the year. We have amazing teachers that are happy to teach a class or two for our members to improve themselves.
“Just when you think you‘ve graduated from the school of experience, someone thinks up a new coarse”
Mary H. Waldrip
Dates to remember:
June 10, 2015 Traverse City/Gaylord Meeting at 6:00 pm, Alpine Tavern, 220 S. Ostego Avenue, Gaylord
June 12, 2015 State Test
June 18, 2015 Marquette Meeting, Pizza Hut @ 6:00 pm in Marquette
June 21, 2015 First day of summer (finally)
June 25, 2015 JAC Meeting
June 30, 2015 Union Meeting, BBQ included
Golden Rail Club
Kalamazoo: 6.3.15 First Wednesday @ 10:00 am, Theo & Stacey’s
Grand Rapids: 6.16.15 Third Tuesday @ 9:00 am, New Beginnings, 1455 Michigan
Street, NE, Grand Rapids
Lansing: 6.17.15 Third Wednesday @ 9:00 am, Zeus Restaurant, 6525 Pennsylvania, Lansing
The work Picture:
We have several people on the bench, I hope they will be back to work when this comes out.
In Unity There Is Strength,
Bill Kogelschatz
