Greetings from Mid-Michigan – The Great Lakes State!
Merry Christmas
&
Happy New Year
I love Christmas/ Hanukkah (whatever you call it). For me it’s all about family. I know it should be about religious beliefs, but I am what I am. It’s hard to believe the year is almost over and it’s been a good year for most of the local membership. Work has been good, classes are full, welding classes are moving right along and we have a great Union Hall/Classrooms we call our own.
In my opinion, members are working way too many hours in a day and a week. Safety falls to the side with exhaustion and without time away from work. There have been too many accidents and deaths on the job throughout the International. I don’t know how to stop the deaths and injuries. I believe no sleep, too much work, too much pressure, wondering thoughts and too little time to complete the work at hand are part of the causes. Bottom line, if you need more time take it. If you need more manpower, ask for it. If you are asked to do anything unsafe, DON’T DO IT! It’s better to submit a grievance for a wrongful dismissal than to go to a funeral. Please make safety first. Did you know 32 members have died on the job since the death fund was started in 2011! The cost for friends and the family are unmiserable.
That’s enough about sad things, let’s move to more positive ideas. As we get ready to start a New Year, take the forms from Mass Mutual and start your 401K and if you have a 401K increase the amount you are saving. Over the next 5 years we will be receiving the largest wage increase ever given in the IUEC. Wouldn’t it be nice to put it away in the 401K so you will have more cash when you retire and maybe retire a little earlier? What a great union we belong to. No job has 2 paid pension plans and an optional 401K like we do. I found a few funny quotes on money and thought you would like them.
“Money is like a sixth sense and you can’t make use of the other five without it.” William Maugham
Dates to remember:
NO UNION MEETING THIS MONTH in Lansing!
December 6, 2017 Gaylord Union Meeting @ 6:00 pm
December 7, 2017 Marquette Union Meeting @ 6:00 pm
December 14, 2017 West Side Get Together @ 3:00 pm
December 21, 2017 JAC Meeting
December 25, 2017 Christmas (paid holiday)
January 1, 2018 New Year’s Day (paid holiday)
January 30, 2018 Union Meeting & Nominations
“The question isn’t at what age I want to retire, it’s at what income.”
George Foreman
NEIEP:
If you are interested in getting into a welding class, give us a call at 517.882.0100.
If you are a Local 36 member and don’t mind driving to our Union Hall/classrooms, give us a call to get into the welding class.
Sign up for a continuing education class today. We are ready to build any class you want.
When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is.
Oscar Wilde
Golden Rail Club:
Kalamazoo: 12.6.2017 First Wednesday at 10:00 am, Theo & Stacey’s.
Grand Rapids: 12.18.2017 Third Monday at 9:00 am, New Beginnings, 1455 Michigan Street, NE, Grand Rapids
Lansing: 12.20.2017 Third Wednesday at 9:00 am, Zeus Restaurant, 6525 Pennsylvania, Lansing
Big Buck Contest:
The Big Buck Contest is in full swing. Please send in your picture of your buck taken this season in Michigan. We need the number of points and the inside spread. Contest is open until January 3rd. Looking forward to seeing some big buck pictures. Good luck!
In Unity There Is Strength,
Bill Kogelschatz
