Local Union 304 is a supporter of the International Lineman Rodeo this year. It will be held October 17th @ Bonner Springs. We have seven Journeyman teams entered (3 man teams), and seven Apprentice Lineman competing. If you are interested in Judging some of the events please contact our office @ 785 235 2301 and we will let them know.

For more information check out the official web site of the International Rodeo.

Thanks

          I had the opportunity to deliver one of the many service awards Local 304 has been distributing.  This one struck me as unique and I would like to share it with you.  The retiree’s name is Marvin Potts.  He lives in Washington, KS on a corner lot with an adjoining lot to the east of him.  He just received his 60 year service award from the IBEW, specifically Local 304.

            Marvin has quite a history to share with anyone who has the time to hear it.  He started in the union in the KGE days.  He has seen many changes from the way companies treat their employees to the way union members treat themselves.  He had a few thoughts about the plusses and minuses of each, but one common thread is the fact that we all seem to take a tremendous amount for granted.  Marvin sees the lack of commitment to the public from the employer as well as the lack of commitment of the “freeloaders” in our workforces.  He told me of one person that he used to work with that complains about his retirement.  You have to meet Marvin to appreciate what he does for the “complainer”.  Marvin takes the time to show him his retirement check from the company as well as the one he gets from IBEW.  I’m sure the donut shop they both frequent gets quite a show from these guys.

            Marvin played semi-pro baseball with the Salina Blue Jays and the Washington Red Birds.  At his age he is still as spry as they come.  It was pretty cool to see this guy do some high step exercises in his driveway to prove to me that he is still in shape at 87 years old.  He still flies the union colors and speaks of organized labor every chance he gets an audience.  I hope to have as much passion and energy as he does when I get to be 87.  We could all learn from this guy and others just like him.

            Marvin is what being a union brother is all about.  He is an example.  He is out there everyday promoting himself as well as fairness in the workplace and organized labor.  If you ever get the chance to drive through Washington, KS, look for a red one ton ford dually with an IBEW Local 304 tag proudly displayed on the front bumper.  Wave him down, shake his hand, and thank him for fighting the good fight.

                                                                                                       Gene Sicard, Assistant Business Manager

Just a reminder for all “A” members that your International portion of your monthly union dues will increase $1.00 per month beginning January 1, 2010. This increase was agreed upon at the International Convention and is the 4th of 5.

The next increase of $1.00 per month will come January 1, 2011 and will affect all members with “A” & “BA” membership status.

Capital Electric Line Truck @ 2009 Labor Day Parade

September 7th was the 8th Annual Labor Day Parade held in Downtown Topeka. IBEW, Local Union 304 had very good participation and was well represented. Besides the line trucks we had numerous members and the Training simulator for Live Line Maintenance Truck from Westar Energy.

J. F. Electric Line Truck @ 2009 Labor Day Parade

Tisha & Charley Blocher participating in Labor Day Parade

On Feb. 20, Westar Energy hosted 328 contractors and 45 Westar employees at Topeka’s Ramada Inn for the Second Annual Contractor Safety Day. The attendees didn’t know when they came to the meeting that they would end up helping the youths in Topeka who are part of the area’s Boys and Girls Clubs.

From left, Rudy Crawford, IBEW; Jeff Wagaman, Boys and Girls Club of Topeka; and Mark Ruelle, executive vice president and chief financial officer, Westar Energy, pause for a "photo op" during Westar's presentation of a check to Wagaman.

Chad Hymas, motivational speaker, told the audience that by working together and just giving a little bit of themselves, they could achieve great change. To demonstrate this concept, he said he’d called the Boys and Girls Club of Topeka to see if there was anything they needed, and he was told they needed a new computer.

Hymas asked the attednees, if they could, to leave a dollar on the table in front of them when they went to break. The money was collected, and Hymas later told the audience that they had given $665 toward the new computer. Together, they’d each given a little yet made a big change.
When Doug Sterbenz, executive vice president and chief operating officer, heard about the experiment, he decided to take it a little bit further. He said, “Knowing of Mark Ruelle’s involvement with the clubs, I called Mark and told him I was at a safety meeting where some of us had decided to chip in to make a donation to the Boys and Girls Club, and I was wondering if he could match the donation. He agreed, and then I told him how much we’d raised.”
Sterbenz went on to say, “Being the principled person he is, Mark dug deep, and we were able to double the donation to $1,330.”

Rudy Crawford, IBEW representative, wasn’t yet satisfied as the cash and check were being handed off to Jeff Wagaman, the Boys and Girls Clubs’ chief professional officer. He dug into his wallet to add $100 to the stack, bringing the total donation to $1,430.

Wagaman explained how the youths of Topeka would benefit from the growing generosity and thanked everyone for turning a small idea into something great for kids.

As seen in Westar Synergy.

Thanks for visiting the site, and if you see something that would make it a better place, please let us know.

We’re well into the first quarter of the new year and have been very lucky that we have the majority of our members employed as well as a large number of travelers working in our area. The future is looking fairly good, considering the downturn of the economy. Here in the Midwest we’re lucky to not see some of the negative effects other areas have been experiencing in our trade.

There have been some very interesting things going on at the statehouse that have the potential to have long term effects on what we do for a living. Have you been paying attention? When was the last time you called, written or spoke to your representative about what you think? Believe it or not, it does make a difference and it is appreciated to hear your views. If you need help finding out the contact information give us a call and we can head you in the right direction. 

I have had the opportunity to attend one of the state’s largest utility presentations on safety culture. It has been attended by all employees for the utility. The investment they are putting up doesn’t stop in house, they have included the contractors working on the property. From the comments I’ve heard, the message is well accepted. In a nut shell, the one person who makes the biggest difference on safety in the workplace is you. Let’s not forget that one of the biggest issues that prompted the IBEW to form a Union is the safety issues of the time. Now we see corporate business leading the workforce on safety? Let’s start thinking of who knows what we do best and let’s get our workplace back by taking care of every workplace and have no accidents. 

We don’t work in a dangerous environment, we work in a hazardous environment when we don’t identify or protect with the proper protective equipment and work techniques.

Paul Lira

Look for big things coming from IBEW Local 304.  We’re getting into social media and web 2.0!

Local 304 has a number of ongoing organizing efforts in the western portion of Kansas. The efforts span from private construction, utilities, private tree trimmers and municipalities. Our efforts are also spanning the geography from the very northwest to the very southeast.

Local 304 is concentrating some of the organizing energy to non-union companies. The organizing efforts have touched individual tree trimmers in Colby, Phillipsburg, and Topeka that are not organized. We have also been in contact with construction hands working on FEMA work in the northwest section who currently work for non-union contractors. Another potential organizing effort is being formulated for a group that was previously organized, but then was bought out by a non-union company.

Additionally, Local 304 is aware of and looking to organize classifications of workers in companies that have other organized already. Right now there is a company in western Kansas that has linemen, sub techs, and relay techs that are not organized within a company that has other IBEW workers. Another company has CSR’s and relay techs not organized while the rest of the hourly employees are organized.

There is no better time than today, brothers and sisters, to grow our numbers. If we don’t recruit members our time and strength will stagnate. Local 304 is asking all of you to participate in our organizing effort. The more members we have the more strength we have, thus giving us the voice and the leverage needed in today’s world. Let’s all make a conscience effort to speak to one non-union person, company, or contractor every week and put out the word about the need for all to organize. When any of you see potential workers in need of representation please talk to them and call the hall in Topeka. The word will get out and we will succeed if we all join the fight.

- Gene Sicard, West End Service Representative