Greetings from Mid-Michigan – The Great Lakes State!
The weather has finally straightened out in Michigan and we have sunshine and warmer temps instead of snow. For a while we weren’t sure the snow would ever stop. But spring is now here.
Work is good, but we still have two Mechanics off as of the beginning of May. Work in the UP is very busy with the hospital in Marquette at full speed. The Lower Peninsula is getting just as busy.
I am out and about visiting all of our members on the job. I have been invited and attended Otis, Schindler, Thyssen Krupp and Elevator Service safety meetings recently. I appreciate the companies inviting me to their safety meetings. We are all in this together to keep everyone safe. If anyone has any safety questions or concerns, please call your supervisor or call myself. We cannot preach safety enough, especially with the recent fatality in Columbus, OH and all of the previous fatalities in the IUEC. Our hearts go out to everyone in Local 37 and to the family and friends of Randy Wilson.
We are having a few issues with state licensing in Michigan. Not everyone is receiving renewal notices each year for their journeyman’s license, therefore it is leading to revoked licenses and the retaking of the test which is not an easy task. We are trying to work with the Elevator Safety Division and Licensing Department to resolve these issues. We will be having a code class on June 2nd to help everyone be better prepared for the State test. We need everyone that is eligible to take the exam as soon as possible. Applications for the State test and code books are available at the Union Hall.
The Golden Rail Meetings for our area are listed below. Please spread the word and get more of the retirees to attend the meetings. We would like them to stay involved in the monthly get-togethers and also come to the Union Meetings. Our retirees are the reason we have such a great trade.
There have been a few questions on 1-man and 2-man repair work lately. If you have any questions whatsoever whether it is 1-man or 2-man, please call me.
Please remember to call in when changing jobs. It’s as easy as a phone call, text or email.
Check out the International’s website and the new safety messages they have. Register for an account and keep updated.
Dates to remember:
June 2, 2018* Code Class at 8:00 am
June 21, 2018 JAC Meeting at 9:00 am
June 26, 2018 Union Meeting & BBQ
*The Code Class has been moved up from July 24th to June 2nd – If you haven’t signed up for this class yet, please just show up. It will be taught by Mike Morand from Work Preservation.
Save the Date:
TEAM Class – September 12, 2018 taught by Work Preservation
NEIEP:
Welding classes continue. Please sign up on NEIEP’s website. We will have a Forklift Class this month along with an Aerial Lift Class and a Valve Class in July. It’s not too late to sign up, so call the Union Hall. Apprenticeship Classes are almost done for the semester. Enjoy your time off until August when the new semester starts.
Golden Rail Club:
Kalamazoo: 6.6.2018 First Wednesday at 10:00 am, Theo & Stacey’s, (by the airport) Portage
Grand Rapids: 6.18.2018 Third Monday at 9:00 am, New Beginnings, 1455 Michigan Street, NE, Grand Rapids
Lansing: 6.20.2018 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. If we all communicate, we will be a lot stronger and more successful.
Work Safe,
Mike Janca
