| LOCAL 444 NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS |
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| 8-2-08 Thanks again to John Shutes and Mark Viano who competed in the Chicago District Council --"Outstanding Apprentice Competition" on July 25, 2008. This was a day long test of welding, torch burning, Instrument layout, rigging, column climb, and an extensive written test hosted by Ironworkers Local 1 this year. Great Job Guys!! Thanks to the instructors that attended the annual instructors training program at USD . Some of the courses taken this year were: Teaching the following --- "Introduction to blueprints" --- "Foreman training course" --- "Layout and Instruments course" ---"Personal Development courses 1 & 2" --- "Hazardous Material instructor certification" --- "The new seismic welding upgrades and procedures" --- new technologies and equipment. There will be an OSHA 10 course being held at the union hall on August 16. The class will start at 7:00 AM. Anyone interested in attending this class can call the apprentice office at 815-725-0725. The next scheduled general membership meeting will be on Monday, July 14, at 7:00 PM. Anyone interested in attending a CPR/First Aid or a OSHA-10 class can sign up at the union hall. We will set a date when the list fills up. The Impact drug test collection date is set for the August 15 / 16 weekend. The specific time and location is currently being coordinated with Mobile Medical Corporation who is the company contracted by Impact for collection. The Ironworkers union hall at 2082 Oak Leaf St. will be the primary collection site. There is discussion if a possible second collection site could be made available to reduce the driving distance for some of our members living and working far to the west and south. Official notice of date, location, and times will be posted in the Labor Record Newspaper and/or a letter sent to the membership with details. We would like to remind all of our members that throughout the year they are welcome to come in and use the welding facilities for practice or weld testing. The requests for certified welders has increased dramatically over the last couple of years. If you have any questions on the AWS - Ironworkers Welding Certification Program stop by or call the apprentice office. The regular apprentice school year concluded May 22. The student group gathered afterwards for pizza to with the 7 apprentices scheduled to graduate this year. The application process for the apprenticeship is complete for the 2008 class year. We took 300 applications during the 2 weeks with 232 applicants taking the test. The JATC has interviewed the top scoring individuals for acceptance into the apprentice program. Members of the training staff attended a career day held at Romeoville High School on April 9, 2008. A presentation on Union Ironworking as a career given to 6 different groups of young people. 3-13-08 Retirees are invited to meet at the union hall on March 19 to meet and greet old friends. Refreshments will be available. 3-13-08 Members of the training staff will be attending local schools in the weeks to come representing Union Ironworkers as a career choice for many young people soon to be graduating high school. Eldon Lafever and Ken Kobus were at Lincoln-Way High School on March 6 and will be traveling to Illinois Community College on March 14 for their event. Next Joliet West High School will host a similar event that our staff will attend. This is an opportunity for young people unfamiliar with local trade unions to see the accomplishments of our training and work in the community. Saturday March 15, starting at 8 AM Local 444 will have a MSHA recertification class at the training center. All members who are in need on updating their current certification are invited. Course will be conducted by Dennis Murry with Sandra Ernat, MS, RN, CNAA to present the First Aid portion of the program. 3-1-08 Local 444 conducted an 8hr Haz-Mat Refresher course with 15 members in attendance. 3-1-08 Local 444 participated in the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Manhattan, IL. Brent Larue with many friends and members organized and assembled a float entry to represent the Ironworkers Local 444 union in this annual event. A good time was had by all at this popular community event. Thanks to all who helped make this successful. Local 444 in Joliet hosted a Ironworkers District Council of Chicago train the trainer program on February 25 and 26 for CPR and First Aid Instructors. Jim Coyne of Coyne First Aid, INC. Sellersville, PA. conducted the class. Seven participants completed the 2 day course to support the health and safety training program in the following Chicago District Council local unions. Angela Dial #380, Gary Ely #112, Vince DiDonato #112, Jeff Crompton #444, Jason Bernicky #444, Julio Cantu #498, and Ryan Scudder #498. 12-5-07 The next regular meeting will be December 10, 2007 at 7:00 PM. Immediately following the meeting, Local 444 will be hosting a Christmas Holiday get together at Cemino's Pizza, 1630 Essington Rd. in Joliet from 8:00 to 10:00. All members invited. As you know the I-355 extension and bridge was featured on the cover of the Ironworker magazine this last month. You may also be interested in the following: The I-355 Des Plaines River Valley Bridge project will be featured on "Man Made: Super Roads" on the National Geographic Channel on Thursday, December 6th, at 7:00 P.M. Local Union Members Dig Deep for a Worthy Cause Union construction workers at excelon's Dresden Nuclear Station recently collected more than $8,000 among themselves to donate to a local organization whose purpose is to provide pre-paid phone cards and customized care packages to U.S. soldiers serving abroad. Ironworkers' Local 444 steward Paul Falasca was one of 8 trade union representatives working for Stone and Webster Construction, Inc. that was pictured presenting a check to Mom's Cookies. Mom's Cookies provides direct aid in the form of phone cards, individual care packages, holiday items, etc., to U.S. Soldiers across the globe. "Our soldiers really appreciate being remembered buy those of us at home, particularly at this time of the year. Everyone at Mom's Cookies is grateful to stone & Webster and it's union workforce for remembering our troops abroad." 8-17-07 The ground breaking ceremonies for the Illinois Veterans Home in Manteno was today Friday, August 17. A strong support by the Union trade organizations and local leaders will get this project started in about a week. We have pledged our support to our Veterans and community to help with this well deserved project. We will be needing some volunteers to start tying rebar in a week or two. Any members, retirees, or apprentices that could schedule a little time to help with this project would be very much appreciated. Let's help give back to these veterans who gave so much for us. Thanks 8-15-07 Work continues to be good as reported at the August general membership meeting. The Local 444 Ironworkers will be donating some work time to help the Illinois Veterans Home in Manteno, Illinois construct some improvements and accessible areas for the disabled. Anyone wishing to add their name to the list can call Ken at the hall. The next monthly meeting will be on Monday, September 10 at 7:00 PM. In addition to regular business at the August meeting. Eldon Lafever was presented a plaque of appreciation for all his work and dedication to the Local 444 union and apprenticeship. Eldon retired August 1st of this year as coordinator of the Local 444 apprenticeship program. He was very active in community work groups and served on many union workforce committees. A retirement dinner is planned for Eldon Sept. 29 at Al's steakhouse in Joliet. Members, friends and family wishing information can call Sara at (815)-725-1804 for tickets. Instructors and members of the J.A.T.C. For those outside of our local communications, we are saddened to announce the passing of one of our retired members, Tom McGinnis. Tom served as Business Manager for Local 386 in LaSalle, Illinois for 19 years. He will be missed. The '07 - '08 class year for apprentices will begin Tuesday, September 4 at the Union Hall. This session will start at 6:00 PM and finish at 9:00 PM. All students are required to attend this session for class assignments and schedules. Items, such as equipment required, class procedures, and general topics will be discussed. After class assignments are finalized at this session, the students will be required to purchase the appropriate books for their schedule. No books will be issued prior to payment in full. Book costs will be no less than $69.00 or no more than $82.00 at this time. 5-14-07 Negotiations for Ironworkers Local 444 are complete and a three year contract with the contractors of all three zones is resolved. The wage sheets will be available at the hall and the "wages" page on this site will be updated in the next couple of days. All zones will receive a $3.25 hourly increase to the package this year and the breakdown of the increase was voted on and accepted at the general membership meeting We will list this breakdown in detail soon. 5-14-07 4-11-07 At the April general membership meeting, a vote was passed to amend the monthly meeting start time. Starting at our May monthly meeting, we will meet one hour earlier than in the past. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM on the second Monday of every month. The Business Manager and board officers are currently working on contract negotiations for all three zones. We will post additional information as it comes available and hopefully will be able to talk in detail at the May meeting. A very successful turnout for apprenticeship testing last Saturday, April 7, 2007. Approximately 125 applicants completed their tests at the union hall. Once again we would like to thank the members and apprentices that showed up to set up the tables, chairs, and assist the applicants as they arrived. A Health and Welfare, Social Security, and Pension seminar was held for Local 444 members and their spouse at the Operator's hall Saturday, March 10. The seminar was well attended by the membership. A very informative presentation on all segments of our pension, Social Security, Health and Welfare, and Comerica were given by managers and staff. The information was extremely valuable for our youngest members to our oldest. There were morning refreshments with a lunch to follow the seminar. Thanks to everyone who worked to make this a successful event for the membership and their families. General meeting will be Monday night 3-12-07 . 8:00 PM at the hall. Local 444 will be accepting applications for apprenticeship starting March 19, 2007. Link Local 444 election of officers will be held Sept. 9 2006 from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM at the Union Hall. The following are the candidates for the offices of this Local Union. President Ken Kobus Vice President Jonathon Stefancic Business Manager Howard Norberg Recording Secretary Rich Plese Examining Committee John Sinchak elect 3 Dick Packley Dave Pacheco Ron Mcmillin Sargent at Arms Tony Sinchak Conductor Howard Norberg Executive Committee Dennis Bailey elect 5 Bob Hray Paul Falasca Phil Young Tim Norberg Rich Pacheco Ron Zier Trustees Jim Jadron elect 3 Greg Verklan Tim Cullom The election judges will be: Bud Shiner Bob Jadron Mike Arambasich Sam Persico Bob Ventura ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6-13-06 Congratulations to Rich Plese and Dennis Bailey. Rich was sworn in as Recording Secretary and Dennis was sworn in as a member of the Executive Committee at the June 12, 2006 The Delegates to the International Convention will be: Howard Norberg Ron Zier Ken Kobus Eldon Lafever Jonathon Stefancic Dan Aussem ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3-24-06 Election for Delegates to the International Convention will be held prior to the monthly Union Meeting, Monday, April 10, 2006 voting from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Local #444 Union Hall, 2082 Oak Leaf Street, Joliet, IL. The MSHA and Haz-Mat recertification classes have been completed with very good attendance of members continuing to update their certifications. Thanks to all of the members that continue to make these programs successful. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2-26-06 Nominations of Delegates. Alternates, and Judges for Election to the International Convention will be held at the monthly Union Meeting on March 13, 2006 at 8:00 PM. 2082 Oak Leaf Street, Joliet, IL. A 40 hour Haz-Mat course will be held at the union hall starting March 4 at 7:00 AM. Class will be in session 10 hours per day excluding lunch break. Those members requiring an 8 hour refresher course will be notified of class date and time. If you need training or an update and have not been notified, contact Eldon Lafever at 815-725-0725. The 40 hour course is scheduled for March 4, March 5, March 11, and March 12. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1-14-06 There will be a variety of classes available to journeyman and apprentices in the upcoming months. OSHA 10, Subpart R steel erection, 40 hour Haz-Mat course, 8 hour Haz-Mat refresher, CPR and First Aid. For additional information or tentative dates call the coordinator at 815-725-0725. The Christmas party was well attended and enjoyed. Thanks to everyone involved that made it happen. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1-07-06 The January meeting will be held Monday the 9th at 8:00 PM. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 12-16-05 There will be a Christmas Party at the hall December 23 from 12:00 noon till 6:00. Stop by and spend some time with some old and new friends. Monthly dues will increase to $39.00 per month starting January of '06. This represents a $1.00 increase in dues and the addition of the $6.00 per month to cover the local union "death benefit". Anyone who has not payed the $40.00 initiation fee or not up to date on death benefit payments should do so as soon as possible. Business Agent, Richard Paraday is retiring this year after a lifetime in the Ironworkers. Richard was honored at the Chicago District Council and the December Local 444 membership meeting with a gift and Plaque. Thanks again Richard. Congratulations to Eric Dean. Eric was elected President of the Ironworkers Chicago District Council at the winter meetings Dec. 10, '05. We will be looking forward to working with Eric in the coming years . Special thanks to Dan Aussem for his dedication and service as President of the Chicago District Council. The council was well served under your leadership. The resolutions were accepted with minor changes in wording from the Ironworkers International. They will be entered and become part of the Local 444 By-Laws. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ ________ 12-06-05 At the November local union meeting, the third reading of the proposed resolutions were read, discussed, and presented to the membership for a vote. A very brief explanation is: Resolution 2005-1 states that: area representatives may be appointed as needed when work justifies by the Business Manager Financial Secretary-Treasurer. In lieu of an automobile and expenses, an Assistant Business agent and /or Organizer may receive an allowance as set by the Executive Committee and provide their own transportation. Resolution 2005-2 states that::Delegates to the District Council will be, by virtue of their office, the President and Business Manager Financial Secretary-Treasurer. The President shall appoint any additional Delegates. Resolution 2005-3 states that: A Local 444 Union death benefit will be administered by the Trustees. An assessment of $6.00 per month will fund the program. Not the $10.00 per occurrence as in the past. The resolution explained the operation, benefit, and eligibility requirements of the fund. All three resolutions were passed by the membership and submitted to the International.. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Tri-State Welfare has a new third party administrator, OBA Midwest Ltd. After August 1st, 2005, if your have any questions or need claim forms for your medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, life insurance,accidental death and dismemberment or weekly accident and sickness benefits, please contact: OBA Midwest, Ltd. 1000 Burr Ridge Parkway Suite 200 Burr Ridge, Illinois 60527 (630) 960-3322 (866) 463-9418 (Toll Free) (630) 789-0414 (FAX) Tristate@obamidwest.com Current Health and Welfare Fund Blue Cross Blue Shield card is still valid. You will receive a new card in early September. Local 444 instructors recently attended the annual instructor training and update classes at USD. Local union apprenticeship coordinators met to discuss the new ironworker core curriculum which will be taught in the fall session. In addition, The recent mergers of Kankakee local 465 and LaSalle local 386 have been completed. Anyone wishing information on current wage sheets or working information may contact the local 444 office. 815-725-1804 We are sorry to announce the recent passing of one of our retired members, William Moser Sr. The following is a breakdown of the raise voted on at the May 9th 2005 Local 444 general membership meeting. $0.10 Apprenticeship $0.25 health and welfare $0.50 earned when paid $0.70 SMA $1.00 on the check We are sorry to announce the passing of two of our retired members recently. Lyell Traser and Larry Cunea The Ironworkers Local 444 Apprentice committee will be accepting applications for possible openings in the Ironworkers Apprenticeship program. Applications will be available at 2082 Oak Leaf St., Joliet, Illinois. 8AM until 12 noon May 23rd through June 3rd, 2005. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent, have a valid drivers license and reliable transportation, and live in the 444 jurisdictional area. EEOP We had 14 members attend the Haz-Mat recertification class Saturday March 5. This makes 11 years of Haz-Mat training our local has participated in. 5 of the 14 members returning for their refresher have stayed current in their training from the first class we had. Any member wishing to practice welding or work on their welding certification can call Eldon at 815-725-0725 to make arrangements. The welding facility is normally open Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM please call ahead. OSHA 10 course held on Feb. 8, 9, & 10. had a great turn out. Thanks to all the members who attended. We had a good exchange of ideas and experiences. Haz-Mat recertification will be on Saturday, March 5 at 7:00 AM. Letters will be sent out to all members eligible for class. The monthly meetings will be held the 2nd Monday of every month at 8:00 pm at the union hall. A current dues receipt is required. Anyone wishing to pay dues or death benefits can do so at the union hall Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm (closed 12:00 to 1:00 for lunch). Dues can also be paid prior to the monthly meetings. ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; |
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