Greetings from Mid-Michigan – The Great Lakes State!
John O’Donnell works hard to bring us (all of us) the best in education. At times it seems that NEIEP makes changes before they appear ready; however, the changes are needed to validate the program, increase the program’s ability and to increase our knowledge. No one likes change, like Helper to Apprentice, no Mechanic’s Exam to a Mechanic’s Exam, few to little labs to too many labs, ten members to have a class to three to have a class; we needed these changes and many others to support our members to be the highest trained work force anywhere. I wake up every morning knowing I am lucky to be in this trade and to have all the benefits we have!
When NEIEP decided to do the Mechanic’s Exam at a testing center I was upset because the Mechanic’s Exam may be the last time we will see that member at the Union Hall. I felt as we were being cheated out of an important day of bonding and supporting our members. You can say I came to my senses, it’s not NEIEP’s job to get members into Union Meetings, its mine and the members in the Local. Why don’t members come to Union Meetings? Too far to drive, kept out as a Probationary, busy with the family, tired at the end of the day, nothing said I need to know, I don’t care, etc.! There are no entitlements in this trade. We work hard and we need to support our Union because it may not be around to support us. Let’s summarize our trade: we are the highest paid, no one has the benefits we have (health- pension-401k-annuity-union), an educational program that is the best anywhere, union leaders that care about our needs even when we don’t know what we need. We would have none of these things without our leadership, the leadership fights for everything we have that many of us take for granted. I don’t look for the bad in the Union, I look for the good and how to make improvements where needed. No one is perfect and neither is the Union leadership, but we all try to be the best we can for the members and ourselves. Several years ago a friend told me, ”make your choices by what you think is the best for the membership and you can’t be wrong even if you are”, words I live by. Coming full circle; it’s our job to get members into Union Meetings. NEIEP does things we may not approve of or like. We (union) also do things that you may not approve of or like as well and all for the same reason, to make this a great trade and the highest skilled trade for the members!
“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other”
John F. Kennedy
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Our Regional Dale Coalmer will be attending the Lansing, Gaylord and Marquette Union Meetings.
September 30, 2015 Gaylord Meeting @ 6:00 pm, Alpine Tavern, Gaylord
October 1, 2015 Marquette Meeting @ 6:00 pm, Pizza Hut, Marquette
October 15, 2015 JAC Meeting @ 9:00 am
October 27, 2015 Union Meeting @ 6:00 pm, Dinner provided
October 31, 2015 Halloween
November 6, 2015 State Test
NEIEP:
Have you selected Continuing Education Classes yet? Call us and we will set them up.
BIG BUCK CONTEST:
The Big Buck Contest starts on October 1, 2015 and runs through January 3, 2016. Send us a picture of your buck that was taken in Michigan, along with the number of points and inside spread. The winner will be announced in January 2016.
GOLDEN RAIL CLUB
Kalamazoo: 10.7.2015 First Wednesday @ 10:00 am, Theo & Stacey’s
Lansing: 10.21.2015 Third Wednesday @ 9:00 am, Zeus Restaurant, 6525 Pennsylvania, Lansing
Grand Rapids: 10.20.2015 Third Tuesday @ 9:00 am, New Beginnings, 1455 Michigan
Street, NE, Grand Rapids
KEEPING YOU INFORMED:
Local Web site: iuec85.org
International Web site: iuec.org
E-Mail: bill@iuec85.org
Phone: 517.882.0100
In Unity There Is Strength,
Bill Kogelschatz
