Greetings from Mid-Michigan – The Great Lakes State!
Have a Great Memorial Day
(Paid because of your Union Contract)
I am happy to say we have submitted all of our resolutions. There were others we thought about sending in but several other Locals did a better job with wording and got to the point better than I did. Now we are getting all of our plans set to attend the Convention in July.
BA Bill Kogelschatz, President Tony Worth, Vice President Troy Harris and Executive Board Chairman Jordan Miller are our Delegates for the Convention. The International is putting delegates into committees and as soon as I get what committee everyone is in I’ll let you know. We need to think about what we want to keep and what we think we need. I also like to put in things that would be nice to have like an increase to the bridge or a time on letters. There are things that we would have to be willing to strike for if we want them bad enough. Think about the things that fall into this category; are you ready to strike, do you want to strike, and is it worth striking for? Put away some cash in case you need it, it will benefit you in the long run either way.
We recently received checks from the International PAC Fund for election to District 1 US House of Representative Lon Johnson and to support District 7 US House of Representative Gretchen Driskell. I have attached the photo of me giving them the check to support their run for election. We need their help to support our Union and the Building Trades. This is the first time I know of that Local 85 supported a candidate financially. Please fill out the PAC Fund sheet at the end of the journal, we need help from politicians to keep what we have now. Every one of you has seen the run on Unions from Right to Work to eliminating Prevailing Wage. Support your family, Union and way of life!
“If big labor dies, then America’s middle class dies with it”.
Harold Meyerson
Last year we finalized our Expense Agreement with NEBA, it took over a year and it was worth the time and work. Now we have a new agreement, but only half or less of the membership understands it or knows about it. We decided to set up classes to explain the agreement and to answer questions about it, the dates are: May 19th at 6:00 pm & May 20th at 9:00 am at the Union Hall. Probationary Apprentices are required to be at one of the classes.
Dates to remember:
May 8, 2016 Mother’s Day brought to you by Mothers
May 19, 2016 JAC Meeting at 9:00 am
May 19, 2016 Expense Agreement training class @ 6:00 pm
May 21, 2016 Expense Agreement training class @ 9:00 am
May 30, 2016 Memorial Day paid holiday from your Union
NEIEP:
Sign up for a Continuing Education Class:
April 11, 2016 – Hydro Controller Lab/Class, Corey Kape teacher
May 9, 2016 – Motor & Generator Lab/Class, Randy Kape teacher
Also starting in May; Fork Lift Certification class, RJ Shaughnessy teacher
Golden Rail Club
Kalamazoo: 5.4.2016 First Wednesday at 10:00 am, Theo & Stacey’s
Grand Rapids: 5.17.2016 Third Tuesday at 9:00 am, New Beginnings, 1455 Michigan Street, NE, Grand Rapids
Lansing: 5.18.2016 Third Wednesday at 9:00 am, Zeus Restaurant, 6525 Pennsylvania, Lansing
In Unity There Is Strength,
Bill Kogelschatz
