IMPERIAL, CA – Today, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 569 and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) announced they will invest an additional $300,000 in the Imperial Electrical Training Center in 2013 to expand skilled training, hire staff and continue to keep local residents first-in-line in the hiring process to build clean energy projects. This raises IBEW Local 569 and NECA’s overall private capital investment in Imperial County to over $1.3 million.

IBEW Local 569 Business Manager Johnny Simpson commented, “From day one, IBEW Local 569’s priority has been to make sure renewable projects are putting Imperial County residents to work first. Thanks to local hire agreements, hundreds of state-certified electricians, apprentices and trainees from all parts of the County are employed building clean energy projects. Now, our members are investing new funds to expand our training, grow the local, skilled workforce and continue to make sure local people are getting the jobs. This is significant in a County with the highest unemployment in California.”

Andrew Berg, Executive Director of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter of NECA remarked, “Imperial County is a clear example of a green economy success story.  By expanding our training investments in the County, not only are we opening new career doors for local residents, we are expanding the local pool of skilled electrical labor which is a win-win for the community, renewable developers and our industry.”

The Imperial Electrical Training Center is the only state-certified electrical apprenticeship facility in Imperial County preparing local residents to construct solar, wind and geothermal projects and is funded by the members of IBEW Local 569 and its NECA partners.

Founded in 1891, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) represents approximately 725,000 members working in a variety of fields including utilities, construction, telecommunications, broadcasting, manufacturing, railroads and government. IBEW Local 569 represents more than 2,500 members in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

Formed in 1901, the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) is the voice of the $100 billion industry responsible for bringing electrical power, lighting, and communications to buildings and communities across the United States.  The San Diego Chapter of NECA was chartered in 1942 and today represents over 100 electrical contractors.

CALEXICO, CA – The Imperial Solar Energy Center South (C-Solar South) project has hit a major hiring milestone. As a result of a local hire labor agreement between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 569 and the project developer, 73% of the electrical workforce dispatched to the project is from Imperial County with 93% of the local hires being new apprentices and trainees.

IBEW Local 569 Business Manager Johnny Simpson comments, “Thanks to the pipeline of clean energy projects in Imperial County with IBEW local hire agreements, we are putting local people to work, creating good, middle-class green careers and training the next generation of skilled, state-certified electricians in the community. With 28.5 percent unemployment, the highest in the state, nobody needs these projects more than Imperial County. ”

Rodolfo Valdez, a new IBEW 569 Apprentice from Calexico who is working on the project comments, “I’m most excited about the apprenticeship because it’s a new career. I appreciate the opportunity the IBEW gave me to be a member and to be productive in the community.”

El Centro resident Rogelio Ruiz, the father of three young children, was unemployed for over a year prior to joining IBEW Local 569’s apprenticeship program and going to work at C-Solar South. He notes, “I have been very impressed with my training and am happy to be able to work and feed my family. I like that the project is so close to home so I can enjoy quality time with my family after work.”

A graduate of El Centro high school, new IBEW 569 Apprentice Pedro Bernal was born and raised in Imperial County. “Before I joined the apprenticeship, I was working at a retail home improvement store. Now, I am making good money at C-Solar South and have a sense of accomplishment about my work. I have a little girl and another on the way and am happy to know I am building a clean energy project so the earth will still be a good place for my kids and their kids.”

Founded in 1891, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) represents approximately 725,000 members working in a variety of fields including utilities, construction, telecommunications, broadcasting, manufacturing, railroads and government.  IBEW Local 569 represents more than 2,500 members in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

State of California

Assembly District 56 – V. Manuel Perez

Assembly District 71 – Patrick Hurley

Assembly District 77- Greg Laskaris

Assembly District 78 - Toni Atkins

Assembly District 79 – Sid Voorakkara and Shirley Weber

Assembly District 80 - Ben Hueso

Senate District 39 - Marty Block

Cities

Chula Vista City Council Seat 3 - Pamela Bensoussan

Chula Vista City Council Seat 4 – Mary Salas

San Diego City Council District 7 - Mathew Kostrinksy

San Diego City Council District 9 - Marti Emerald

San Diego Mayor - Bob Filner

Propositions

City of San Diego Proposition A - No

City of San Diego Proposition B  -  No

Chula Vista Proposition C - No

El Cajon Proposition D – No

Oceanside Proposition E – No

Oceanside Proposition F – No

Mountain Empire School District Proposition G- Yes

Calexico Measure P – Yes

Calexico Measure Q – Yes

State of California Proposition  28 - Yes

School Boards

San Diego County Board of Education, District 4 - Mark Anderson

San Diego County Board of Education, District 3 – Lyn Neylon

San Diego County Board of Education, District 1 – Gregg Robinson

San Diego Unified School District Seat A – John Lee Evans

San Diego Unified School District Seat D – Richard Barrera

San Diego Unified School District Seat E – Marne Foster

Community College Boards

Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College, District 3 – Bill Garrett

Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College, District 4 – Mary Kay Rosinski

San Diego Community College, District B – Bernie Rhinerson

San Diego Community College, District D – Mary Graham

County of San Diego

Board of Supervisors District 3 – Dave Roberts

County of Imperial

County Supervisor District 2 – Jesus “Jack” Terrazas

County Supervisor District 3 - Michael Kelley

County Supervisor District 4 - Ryan Kelley

Imperial Irrigation District

Imperial Irrigation District, Division 2- Open (all acceptable)

Imperial Irrigation District, Division 4- Open (all acceptable)

Judicial

San Diego Superior Court Judge Office #25 - George Schaefer

San Diego Superior Court Judge Office # 24 - Terrie Roberts

Imperial County Superior Court Judge #3 – Diane Altamirano

Imperial County Superior Court Judge #4 – Ruth Bermudez Montenegro

MLK Parade King and Queen Pageant

Sunday, November 18, 2012 2:30 pm
Educational Cultural Complex (ECC)
4343 Ocean View Blvd. San Diego, CA 92113

To RSVP for this year's parade, contact Kevin Alvin at the Hall at 858-569-8900 or kalvin@ibew569.org!

Joint Statement:  Pro Tem Steinberg and Speaker John A. Pérez Set the Record Straight on SB 922

SACRAMENTO – Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) and Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) made the following statement today regarding SB 922, a fairness bill that establishes parameters for the use of project labor agreements (PLAs) for publicly-funded construction projects:

"SB 922 is one of the most mischaracterized laws of this legislative session.  In reality, SB 922 is simply a fairness bill for taxpayers and all contractors when public construction is being undertaken.

"Project Labor Agreements, known as PLAs, have been used by both business and government to save money on construction of municipal projects for over 70 years. Governments also use them to achieve additional goals such as local hiring, assuring our returning veterans a job on a project, and creating viable apprenticeships and other training programs for the community.

"So what is a PLA? It is a collective bargaining agreement which sets the hours of work, wages, working conditions and safety procedures. It also prescribes a method to resolve disputes on the project.

"SB 922 does not require any city to enter into PLAs.  Rather, the law makes it illegal for any public entity to pass a local ordinance creating a blanket prohibition of utilizing a PLA to take advantage of the taxpayer protections that can occur.  The bill does not require any entity to use a PLA.  PLAs do not lend themselves to every project, but it is wrong to pass an unfair ordinance restricting government from obtaining the same savings the private sector receives when they build complex projects.  The law clearly addresses these issues, mandating several commonsense taxpayer protections if public entities decide to use them.

"So what are the protections?  First it establishes fair and open competition on PLAs for both union and non-union contractors' to protect their rights to bid on and be awarded work on a project.  It mandates that any person can work on a project, regardless of their gender, religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, race, national origin, or whether or not the person is part of a union.

"Since delays on any public construction project can be costly for the taxpayer, SB 922 prevents such delays by barring strikes, lockouts and other work stoppages.  It requires disputes to be submitted to impartial arbitration for resolution, saving taxpayers' money and insuring the project proceeds on time.  Since construction is one of the most hazardous professions, SB 922 also requires PLAs to contain a drug testing policy.

"Charter cities by their nature have the ability to prohibit PLAs.  So to ensure that taxpayers' dollars are not wasted, SB 922 states that if any entity enacts a blanket ban on the governing body from considering PLAs then that entity will not be entitled to receive any state construction dollars while the ban is in place.

"Many charter cities have said they should not be required to enter into a PLA and we agree; which is why the bill does not mandate any city to enter into a PLA.  Some creative lawyers have claimed there is a loophole in the bill which would allow a city to institute or continue a blanket ban on PLAs while maintaining access to state taxpayer dollars.

"Critics claim the measure will take away local government's control of municipal projects.  It does not.

"Critics claim it will drive up project costs by mandating organized labor to work on such projects.  It does not.

"And critics claim it unfairly tilts the table in favor of some contractors at the expense of others.  It does not.

"We believe the law is clear.  If there is a need for further clarity, we intend to immediately address that issue.  We will not allow a few cities to throw away our scarce taxpayer dollars, unfairly tying the hands of their elected officials from considering a method which can give taxpayers the most bang for the buck."

Website of Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez:  www.asmdc.org/speaker

Website of President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg:  http://dist06.casen.govoffice.com/

On Saturday, September 24^th, join Local 569 in a worldwide rally to urge meaningful solutions to climate change and help move San Diego toward a cleaner, more sustainable future! On this Global Day of Climate Action, communities across the world will turn out for events to send a message to elected leaders that the time is now to take strong action on climate change. San Diego’s event is a march and rally in Balboa Park and the theme is “Moving San Diego to a Clean Energy Future.”

IBEW 569 is co-sponsoring along with our environmental partners including Sierra Club, Greenpeace, San Diego Coastkeeper and the Environmental Health Coalition.

HERE ARE THE DETAILS:

 WHAT: Global Climate Day of Action Rally

WHEN: Saturday, September 24^th, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Balboa Park. Meet at 6^th Ave. between Laurel and Juniper. Look for the green IBEW banner. We will march into the park for an afternoon rally that begins at 12:30. Click HERE for a map.

RSVP: Email Micah Mitrosky, IBEW 569 Environmental Organizer at mmitrosky@ibew569.org or text/call 619-957-2596.

Hope you can come out, join the fun and help send a worldwide message that the time is now to take action on climate change and create cleaner, more sustainable communities.

State Building & Construction Trades Council of California, AFL-CIO

BUILDING TRADES NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 13, 2011    

CONTACT:  Cesar Diaz, 916-690-5330

                        Jennifer Badgley, 619-957-4569

California Construction Workers

to Sempra Energy:

Keep Green Jobs in California

Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu Evaluating Sempra Proposal to Offshore Green Jobs, Outsource California Energy Production to Mexico

NEWPORT BEACH, CA – California construction workers rallied outside of Sempra Energy’s Annual Shareholder meeting urging the company to keep green energy jobs in the United States. Sempra’s Energia Sierra Juarez cross-border transmission line proposal would export jobs by allowing energy projects in Mexico to connect with California’s grid instead of building renewable energy projects in the state, putting Californians back to work.

Cesar Diaz, Legislative Director for the California State Building and Construction Trades Council noted, “Sempra’s plan is a job killer. This cross-border transmission project to import energy from Mexico into California instead of building projects here undermines President Obama’s vision to create jobs. It is a flawed proposal and the wrong direction at a time when we should be building green energy projects here, putting Californians back to work.”

He commented, “The California State Building and Construction Trades Council calls on Secretary Chu at the Department of Energy to just say no to Sempra’s plan to outsource American jobs.” 

Unemployed electrician Joseph Russo agreed, “With construction unemployment at its highest in a generation, we can’t afford to outsource even one construction job as Sempra is proposing to do.  I hope Secretary Chu and President Obama will say no to Sempra’s request for a cross-border transmission line to send energy jobs out of the country when we need to build green energy projects here and put people back to work.”

Secretary Steven Chu at the Department of Energy will decide later this year whether or not to issue a Presidential Permit to allow Sempra’s plan to proceed.

The State Building and Construction Trades Council of California (SBCTC) represents over 200 local construction unions in California with nearly 375,000 members. The primary mission of the SBCTC is to improve the health, jobs safety and economic conditions of the members of its affiliates, and of all working men, women and minors in the construction industry by all lawful means.

###

IMPERIAL, CA – Imperial High School students had an opportunity this week to learn how union apprenticeship programs in the skilled construction trades can open the door to career opportunities in energy efficiency, building science, solar, wind, geothermal and other green sectors.  Local construction unions did classroom demonstrations and engaged kids in interactive discussion to help generate excitement about basic science principles, green technologies and middle-class career opportunities in the trades.  

Conceived with the assistance of the Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program, this week’s classroom activity kicks off a partnership between Imperial High School, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 569, the Sheet Metal Workers (SMW) Local 206 and local Chapters of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA). The partnership will include periodic classroom interactions between students and local unions to expose high school kids to career pathways into green industries through union apprenticeship.

IBEW Local 569 Business Manager Johnny Simpson notes, “With so many families in Imperial County struggling to get by, we must find innovative ways to successfully prepare students for the 21^st century work world.  Union apprenticeship is a way for high school graduates to get paid for on-the-job training, earn college credits and have family healthcare and benefits all at the same time.”  

Joe Powell, Business Manager for SMW Local 206, adds, “Many of these students will become our next generation of clean energy leaders. For those interested in the construction side of the industry, we hope to start them on the pathway to a middle-class career by working with businesses and developers to create jobs that expand union apprenticeship opportunities here in the community.”

Andrew Berg of the local Chapter of NECA remarks, “Our apprenticeship program develops the most qualified people in the industry and Imperial County’s green energy sector needs a local, skilled workforce. This partnership is a win-win for local students and our NECA businesses working locally in the County. ”

Linda Jennings Executive Director of the local Chapter of SMACNA comments, “We are thrilled to be able to introduce these kids to green career options through the skilled trades that pay well and have family healthcare and benefits.”

Founded in 1891, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) represents approximately 725,000 members working in a variety of fields including utilities, construction, telecommunications, broadcasting, manufacturing, railroads and government. IBEW Local 569 represents more than 2,500 members in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

The Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association (SMWIA) serves to protect and raise the living standards of over 150,000 skilled men and women employed throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico in the construction, manufacturing, service, railroad and shipyard industries. Local 206 represents more than 1,500 members in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

Formed in 1901, the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) is the voice of the $100 billion industry responsible for bringing electrical power, lighting, and communications to buildings and communities across the United States.  The San Diego-Imperial County Chapter of NECA was chartered in 1942 and today represents over 100 electrical contractors.

Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA) of San Diego is a trade association representing sheet metal and air conditioning contractors located in California's San Diego and Imperial Counties. The scope of work performed by SMACNA contractors includes architectural sheet metal; heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) of commercial and residential properties; commercial service; custom fabrication; siding and decking; industrial sheet metal; kitchen equipment; manufacturing; and testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB). 

###

Program Exposes Students to Green Technologies, Union Apprenticeship Opportunities through Interactive, Hands-On Classroom Demonstrations

IMPERIAL, CA – Imperial High School students had an opportunity this week to learn how union apprenticeship programs in the skilled construction trades can open the door to career opportunities in energy efficiency, building science, solar, wind, geothermal and other green sectors.  Local construction unions did classroom demonstrations and engaged kids in interactive discussion to help generate excitement about basic science principles, green technologies and middle-class career opportunities in the trades.  

Conceived with the assistance of the Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program, this week’s classroom activity kicks off a partnership between Imperial High School, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 569, the Sheet Metal Workers (SMW) Local 206 and local Chapters of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA). The partnership will include periodic classroom interactions between students and local unions to expose high school kids to career pathways into green industries through union apprenticeship.

IBEW Local 569 Business Manager Johnny Simpson notes, “With so many families in Imperial County struggling to get by, we must find innovative ways to successfully prepare students for the 21^st century work world.  Union apprenticeship is a way for high school graduates to get paid for on-the-job training, earn college credits and have family healthcare and benefits all at the same time.” 

Joe Powell, Business Manager for SMW Local 206, adds, “Many of these students will become our next generation of clean energy leaders. For those interested in the construction side of the industry, we hope to start them on the pathway to a middle-class career by working with businesses and developers to create jobs that expand union apprenticeship opportunities here in the community.” 

Andrew Berg of the local Chapter of NECA remarks, “Our apprenticeship program develops the most qualified people in the industry and Imperial County’s green energy sector needs a local, skilled workforce. This partnership is a win-win for local students and our NECA businesses working locally in the County. ”

Linda Jennings Executive Director of the local Chapter of SMACNA comments, “We are thrilled to be able to introduce these kids to green career options through the skilled trades that pay well and have family healthcare and benefits.”

Founded in 1891, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) represents approximately 725,000 members working in a variety of fields including utilities, construction, telecommunications, broadcasting, manufacturing, railroads and government. IBEW Local 569 represents more than 2,500 members in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

The Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association (SMWIA) serves to protect and raise the living standards of over 150,000 skilled men and women employed throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico in the construction, manufacturing, service, railroad and shipyard industries. Local 206 represents more than 1,500 members in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

Formed in 1901, the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) is the voice of the $100 billion industry responsible for bringing electrical power, lighting, and communications to buildings and communities across the United States.  The San Diego-Imperial County Chapter of NECA was chartered in 1942 and today represents over 100 electrical contractors.

Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA) of San Diego is a trade association representing sheet metal and air conditioning contractors located in California's San Diego and Imperial Counties. The scope of work performed by SMACNA contractors includes architectural sheet metal; heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) of commercial and residential properties; commercial service; custom fabrication; siding and decking; industrial sheet metal; kitchen equipment; manufacturing; and testing, adjusting and balancing (TAB). 

###

I hope you watched the televised gubernatorial debate between Meg Whitman and Jerry Brown. Because if you did, you saw a clear difference in the values that will shape how each of them as Governor would try to run California.

It seemed like Whitman never opened her mouth without bashing and blaming people like you and me: union workers.  She actually seemed to be making the crazy argument that because we workers will be better off under Brown, we should vote for her.

If Brown wins, Whitman declared, he will hold a meeting, with “all the special interests and the unions who are there to collect their IOUs from the campaign they have funded.”

Then she added that because Brown isn’t so hostile to unions, putting him in charge of a state budget is “like putting Count Dracula in charge of the blood bank.” Actually, as we’ll see, it is Whitman who hopes to sink her greedy little fangs into what little is left of working people’s bank accounts.

She wasn’t done. “The labor unions and Jerry Brown have been joined at the hip for 40 years!”

I really hope every union worker has clearly received Meg Whitman’s message: You’ll definitely be better off if Jerry Brown wins this election.

So who will be better off if Meg wins? Obviously, people like her, the extremely rich. That’s who’s contributing to her campaign, and who will make a bundle at our expense if she has her way.

Jerry Brown pointed that out by keenly analyzing her plan to eliminate capital gains taxes, which would blow a huge new hole in the state budget, and further jeopardize the state’s ability to fund needed public work projects that create good Building Trades jobs.

“One of these targeted tax cuts is targeted to billionaires like Ms. Whitman, and millionaires.  It’s about a $5 billion tax break that will go to the richest people in California. Eighty-two percent goes to those making over $500,000,” Brown noted.

“That’s not fair, that’s not right, and I think it reflects the difference in our values,” he added.

Brown pointed out the unfairness of giving more tax benefits to the very richest among us, at the expense of jobs for working people. “Those with the biggest belts should have to tuck them in first,” he said.

“I have a very specific plan, and it’s not to give a $5 billion tax break to myself and much less to the billionaires and millionaires,” Brown said, referring to the job creating proposals outlined in detail on his website, www.jerrybrown.org.  “It’s about investing in California, not giving tax breaks to the most fortunate.”

Think about it: Whitman wants to eliminate the capital gains tax, which would help billionaires like her and some mere millionaires, and eventually save her enough to recoup the $150 million she’s spending on her campaign. Which means we will have all paid for her campaign!

Whitman then made an argument that sounded eerily familiar; that because she’s so rich and can spend so many of her own millions trying to buy the office, she can’t be beholden to anyone else.

Why does that sound familiar? Because it’s exactly what we heard from another  wannabe governor seven years ago, only with an Austrian accent.

In 2003, the inexperienced, incredibly wealthy Republican candidate got elected. How has that worked out for working people? Well, for starters, more than a half million California workers have lost their jobs on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s watch.

A number of observers have pointed out that electing Meg Whitman would be like giving Arnold Schwarzenegger a third term.

Ironically, Meg herself weighed in profoundly on that topic. “I thought Einstein had it right,” she said. “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and hoping for a different result.”

Well, we’ve already elected a rich Republican governor who thinks working people should  have to suffer to finance tax breaks for the rich. Whitman is right: It would be insanity to do that again and hope for a different result.

Building Trades brothers and sisters, you have a clear choice: reserve your space at the asylum now, or work your tail off for Jerry Brown.

It’s up to you.  

Ten of the highest scoring applicants took to the classroom this past Monday to embark on their Sound and Communications careers. These individuals went through a vigorous interviewing process that also required qualifying scores on rigorous math and reading comprehension exams.

This culturally diverse and disciplined (40% former military) group has one common theme, “Work hard, do an honest day’s work, make the contractor, local, and society proud of them while providing for their families”.

The FAST-START game plan is designed to frontload the training of an apprentice. This makes the apprentice a much safer, efficient, more independent, and valuable worker. The contractors can then make more profit and the local gets a valuable and dedicated member.

The five-week, eight-hours-per-day training program includes physical exercise, material handling, IBEW motivational videos, construction classes (tool use, material identification, and hardware installation), structured cabling class (voice/data), fiber optics class, OSHA ten-hour safety certification, first aid/CPR/AED, basic electrical code, introductory fire alarms and basic electrical theory.

We are asking you to do your part.  Support the team!  Take a Sound Technician apprentice!

(FAST-START apprentices will be available when classes end on Oct. 22^nd)

Come on down and watch our classes at the training center or just cheer us on!                                                   

Sincerely,

Timothy Moylan

Sound & Communication Coordinator

The 1.48 megawatt project was awarded to Synergy Electric on December 3, 2009 and is employing approximately 15 IBEW Local 569 members.  Not only will it help power the base with clean emission-free energy, this project is creating union construction jobs for local San Diegans with family healthcare, pension retirement and skilled training opportunities.

Foreman Leo Zapata and Project Manager Jerry Zapata are both graduates of IBEW Local 569’s apprenticeship program and are thrilled to be a part of this exciting project.

Leo Zapata notes, “It’s a great feeling to see our tax dollars at work creating union jobs that are putting local San Diegans to work and improving our environment.”

Jerry Zapata adds, “I feel fortunate that Synergy Electric and IBEW Local 569 have the opportunity to be a part of this historic project. “

Because the system is being built on top of a landfill that has been capped, it was not possible to drill into the ground to install the solar units. To overcome this challenge, Synergy Electric used its design-build expertise to come up with an alternative way to construct the project.  To avoid disturbing the landfill cap, the solar units will mount to a racking system that is attached to several 3,400 lb. precast concrete blocks that sit on top of the ground. The final project will consist of 6,300 235-watt modules which will feed into three 500kW inverters. The AC electricity will be converted to 12Kv and will be backfed onto the grid.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2010.

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 569 welcomes Johnny Simpson as new Business Manager.  A 33-year IBEW member, Johnny graduated from the IBEW Local 569 apprenticeship program and has served as Assistant Business Manager since 1996.  Prior to that, he was the Local’s Senior Organizer.

Johnny participates in all of the Local’s internal committees as well as serves on the Pension Board of Trustees.

He comments, “I am honored to be able to serve on behalf of the members of IBEW Local 569 and look forward to adding members, signing new contractors and building diverse partnerships to strengthen our Local and create new union jobs in our region.”

IBEW Local 569 Business Managers are elected by the members of the Local.  Terms are three years in length. 

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 569 would like to recognize retiring Business Manager Allen "Al" Shur for his dedicated service on behalf of the members of IBEW Local 569.

Al started his electrical career as an IBEW apprentice and spent nearly thirty years working in the field. As a rank-and-file member, he was active in his union, his community, and electoral politics.  In 1995, Al ran for office and was overwhelming voted in as Business Manager.  He was re-elected in every subsequent election and is IBEW Local 569’s longest-serving Business Manager. 

During Al’s tenure, Local 569 established itself as a leader in organizing and training by adding hundreds of new members, expanding its list of signatory contractors and establishing an Electrical Training Center in Imperial County.  His terms as Business Manager was marked by a fierce dedication to Local 569’s members and a deep commitment to improving health and safety standards, wages and working conditions.

In addition to his role as Business Manager, Al served in a variety of positions where he has been a tireless advocate on behalf of working people. Locally, he represented IBEW Local 569 at the Labor Council Executive Board, the San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council and the Mechanical and Allied Crafts Council.  At the state level, he was Vice President at the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO.

Over the years, Al earned a well-deserved reputation as labor’s “greenest” leader.  He served on the Steering Committee of the California State Apollo Alliance, a labor-environmental partnership dedicated to a clean energy future.  He was also a founding member of California Unions for Reliable Energy (CURE) and the San Diego Regional Apollo Alliance.  Under his leadership, Local 569 became a model for green technologies in the construction industry and both the IBEW Local 569 union Hall and San Diego Electrical Training Center are solar-powered facilities.  

His tremendous contributions to the members of Local 569, working people, the environment and the local community are sincerely appreciated and IBEW Local 569 wishes Al Shur a long, happy relaxing retirement.

Robert L. Balgenorth, President

State Building and Construction Trades Council of California

1225 8^th Street, Suite 375

Sacramento, Ca, 95814

(916) 443-3302

bob@sbctc.org

Same Old Story: Rich Republican Tycoon Against Pro-Worker Public Servant.

A wealthy tycoon is trying to buy her way into a statewide office against a veteran public servant with a terrific record on the issues that matter to most to working people. Would that be Meg Whitman, running against former Governor Jerry Brown? Well, yes, she fits the description.

But it’s the same story in the race for U.S. Senator from California, where rich tycoon Carly Fiorina won the Republican primary by pouring her immense personal wealth into her campaign, and who now hopes that her wealth will buy her the seat currently held by a great friend of working men and women, Senator Barbara Boxer.

Fiorina touts her experience as CEO at Hewlett-Packard as her prime qualification to be our Senator. She neglects to mention that she failed in that job, dismally, and in 2005 was fired by a fed up board of directors. They actually paid her $21 million to go away. HP stock rose sharply the day after she left, and an analyst attributed the jump to investors’ hopes “that anyone will be better.”

Read economists’ analyses of Fiorina’s HP tenure and you repeatedly find phrases like “ragged financial performance,” “failure to execute,” “massive shortfall,” “swooning stock price,” and, time after time, “job losses.”

In fact, Fiorina fired 30,000 workers and sent jobs overseas to China.

"What the devil is she talking about as a virtue in her business leadership?" Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, senior associate dean of the School of Management at Yale University, commented on National Public Radio.  "She sliced shareholder wealth in half, (caused) massive job loss. Gosh it's hard to see what's the selling feature."

Inept performance, laying off workers, shipping jobs overseas, while taking an extravagant salary, rated the worst CEO in America and zero political experience.

It is small wonder that a long list of Silicon Valley executives, people who are the most intimately familiar with Fiorina’s history, are supporting Boxer.

So are well-informed working people across the state, who know Boxer’s record. Judge it for yourself.

·        She’s a strong supporter of the Employee Free Choice Act to guarantee workers the right to organize and join unions.

·        Time and again she helped block Bush Administration proposals to abolish the 40-hour week and rob workers of overtime pay.

·        She’s fought for the right of victims of wage discrimination to seek justice in the courts.

·        She’s a longtime supporter of the Davis-Bacon Act to ensure that workers on government projects receive the prevailing wage.

·        For 10 years, she led the fight to increase the federal minimum wage.

·        She fought for legislation to extend and expand eligibility for unemployment compensation.

·        She fought for President Obama’s federal stimulus package to get people back to work. 

·        She was instrumental in persuading the President to set aside $2.25 billion of that package for California’s High Speed Rail Project.

·        In her important role as chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, she’s focused on creating clean-energy jobs and reducing carbon emissions.

And Senator Boxer personally meets with members of the Building Trades to hear our concerns and listen carefully to our ideas when we visit Washington D.C.

So as in the Governor’s race, the U.S. Senate race pits a rich Republican tycoon, who performed badly and was fired, against a long-time public servant with a sterling record of fighting for and expanding the interests and rights of working people.

Who will prevail? What should we do about it? It’s up to you.

Local Students’ Sustainable Skills Showcased at San Diego Board of Education Meeting

Students from the Renewable Energy Leadership Institute (RELI) showcased their skills at the San Diego Unified School District Board meeting with an electric go-cart and solar charging station

May 25, 2010- 11^th and 12^th grade students at the Renewable Energy Leadership Institute (RELI) demonstrated an electric go-cart and solar charging station for San Diego Unified School District Board members at today’s meeting.

RELI is a pilot two-year program that taps into bright science students in the San Diego Unified School District and allows them to attend classes at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 569 / National Electrical Contractors’ Association (NECA) San Diego Training Center while they learn about electricity, sheet metal work, renewable energy and environmentally-sustainable principles.  Board Member Shelia Jackson says that “The students’ project highlights the spirit of this new program which is intended to use projects to provide real world learning opportunities in the energy industry while preparing students for college, apprenticeship, and civic engagement.”

The college or apprenticeship-bound students look forward to bright and sustainable futures.  Diane Aceveda is a senior from Morse High who be entering the Environmental Engineering program at San Diego State University next fall.  Diane, a standout student, says “At RELI I learned a lot of technical and hands on skills that really got me interested in becoming an engineering major in college and then having my own contracting business.” 

Diane’s RELI classmate Angel Prado will also be entering the Environmental Engineering Program at San Diego State.  Angel wasn’t convinced by all the talk about climate change when he started taking AP physics at Mira Mesa High, but he says “for me, RELI has been a stepping stone into the field of environmental engineering. At RELI I learned about sustainability through the science of things like wiring, converters, power quality, and fiber optics.”

Through RELI, students get advanced science education with hands-on applications.  They meet and network with union electricians and sheet metal workers, scholars and industry experts. This made it a good fit for Serra High senior William Wilson who says, “I like using science to make the world a better place.  At RELI I learn a lot about how to do that through electrical and sheet metal work and physics.”  William will be continuing down the path he started at RELI as an apprentice at the San Diego Electrical Training Center.  As he finishes his high school education and prepares for his apprenticeship program, William Wilson is already getting hands-on in the field and earning a paycheck at his job with Audio Associates- a premier San Diego low-voltage electrical firm and NECA member.

 “What a great opportunity for a high school student.” says RELI teacher Chris Lawrence “Through the San Diego Sheetmetal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA) and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) our students have exposure and access to hundreds of businesses that are committed to sustainability and collectively-bargained training.  At a time when so many District families are struggling to just get by, it is critical to find innovative ways to help students succeed academically and be prepared for the 21^st century world of work.”

CONTACT:  Richard Miller, 858-569-0294

Sierra Club Joins Growing List of Environmental Organizations, Elected Officials, Business and Labor Groups Opposing Prop G

Deceptive Ballot Measure would Undermine Chula Vista’s Ability to Combat Climate Change

SAN DIEGO, CA –The Sierra Club today joined the lengthy list of elected officials, environmental organizations, business and labor groups urging Chula Vista residents to vote no on Proposition G.   “Proposition G would undo years of environmental progress in Chula Vista, from delaying demolition of the polluting South Bay Power Plant to preventing the city from applying for state and federal grants to fund efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  This deceptive measure is a step backwards for Chula Vista and we urge residents to vote No on G.” stated Richard Miller, former Chapter Chair.

 If passed, this measure would undermine Chula Vista’s ability to combat climate change by delaying demolition of the polluting South Bay Power Plant and jeopardizing the city’s ability to pursue state and federal dollars to fund sustainability efforts. Proposition G attempts to discriminate against construction workers who choose to join a labor union by banning them from working on public works projects in Chula Vista.

Founded in 1892, the Sierra Club is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization.  There are over 700,000 members in 50 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. The San Diego Chapter was founded in 1948 and has approximately 14,000 members.  Serving San Diego and Imperial Counties, it strives to preserve the special nature of San Diego through education, activism and advocacy.  

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http://www.clubhouse.sierraclub.org/conservation/energy/global-warming/sc-efca-factsheet.pdf

April 21, 2010

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Three weeks after being laid off from his job, Rafael Arredondo, 31, is sitting in a conference room in a Southern California office park, hoping to hear good news about his own future and that of the union movement. He’s one of more than a dozen 20-and 30-something union members gathered around the table, sharing ideas about where organized labor stands right now, and where it’s headed.

“People like us bring new ideas into the union,” says Arredondo, a third-year IBEW apprentice from San Diego Local 569. “We can respect the old traditions, but offer a different way to do things.”

Sitting in a corner chair, between two young union activists, Liz Shuler, the AFL-CIO’s Secretary-Treasurer and highest ranking woman in the labor movement, listens intently to the conversation and scribbles notes on a pad. A few chairs away, Lorena Gonzalez, the youngest person ever elected Secretary-Treasurer of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, is also tuned in to an increasingly animated conversation.

“A lot of people are scared to even talk to me about the union“, says one member of the group who works at a nearby college campus. “We’ve got to change that.”

“We need to challenge the system!” says another boldly.

Elected in 2009, Shuler is charged with bringing more people under 35 into the union fold. She and her Washington-based staff have quickly learned that the youngest members of the union movement have ideas. And they want to be heard.

“We’re here to listen,” she says, on the first day of a multi-city set of meetings to gather ideas from younger workers and labor activists. As she develops a plan for the union movement to reach out to a new generation, Shuler is drawing on the experiences of young union activists to find out the best ways to make an impact on their peers.

“Tapping into this generation means communicating with them in ways they can relate to,” she says. “We’re learning more about what they need in a union and how best to direct our message.”

Micah Mitrosky, a 31-year-old IBEW organizer from Local 569, believes there has never been a better time for unions to reach out to people her age and younger.

“It’s so hard for us to have the same lifestyle our parents had,” said Mitrosky, who knows several financially strapped 20-somethings still living at home with mom and dad.  

“That’s why we need to find the next generation of union people,” she says. “Not just workers, but the union leaders who will continue the movement.”

Labor leaders are learning that reaching younger workers means communicating in new ways—using technology like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and texting.  They also know that the younger generation has vastly different expectations about work and the work-life balance than their parents did.

“We’re hearing how much the idea of work is changing,” says Gonzalez, the San Diego labor leader. “Younger workers demand a flexible workplace and a workplace where they are respected.”

Shuler’s cross-country roundtables - nicknamed “futures forums”- will culminate this summer in a young worker’s summit in the nation’s capital. IBEW members from around the country are expected to take part.  

“Young people tend to think it just isn’t cool to be involved in their union,” Gonzalez says. “We’re trying to change that here in California, and we need to do it at the national level.”

The meeting in San Diego ends with laughter as the young activists act out the old versus new ideologies of organizing.

On one side of a makeshift stage, a young union member playing the part of a local business manager tries to convince a young woman to join the union. He suggests she have a one-on-one with the shop steward and asks about her 401(k). The girl looks confused. 

On the other side, a second “business manager” invites her to a happy hour or a street march and tells her “I’ll send you a text message.” The worker is more receptive.

It’s clear from the scene that young unionists have strong ideas about how labor should be reaching out to their peers. Now they are gaining hope that union leadership is listening.

CleanTechies: What is the mission of IBEW Local 569?

Micah Mitrosky: Our mission is to make sure that as our economy shifts to a low-carbon, sustainable economy, that we’re creating middle-class jobs with health care benefits, skilled career opportunities. A lot of what you think of as the fossil fuel sector are middle-class, union jobs. We want to make sure that, as we’re bringing in these new greener technologies and new green ways of doing things, that we’re replacing those with better middle-class career opportunities.

CleanTechies: What’s your biggest challenge in doing that?

Mitrosky: We’re running into the same things with industry that we’ve always run into. They’re working hard to keep wages low, off-shore jobs, cut corners on safety if it means a few cents more in profits.  It’s the same old story that unions have faced for a century.

CleanTechies: What is the educational level of the people you’re trying to recruit?

Mitrosky:  What we’re finding is that a lot of the building blocks of the green economy are really the same skills that union craftspeople have had through their apprenticeship training. So, for example, when you talk about green building, you don’t necessarily need new skills. It’s just buildings are going to be built in a different way, more efficiently.  But fundamentally, the building blocks of how to work with these technologies and to install them and use them are the same.

CleanTechies:   Renewable energy projects take a lot of money upfront and a lot of them never make it to the finish line. What are companies saying about their reluctance to pay these middle-class wages you’re seeking?

Mitrosky:  I think that they’re giving the same excuses that we’ve heard in every industry. But the reality is, as I mentioned before, that companies are always going to look for ways to cut corners on safety and middle class wages. And it’s up to us to hold them accountable and require that these are good middle-class jobs with skilled career training opportunities.

CleanTechies:  What’s your typical day like?

Mitrosky:  I’m working on everything from policy to media work to organizing, talking with non-union workers, planning events.

CleanTechies:   What are your current projects?

Mitrosky:  We’re looking at the electric car. I know that’s going to require a lot of skilled electrical work.  Houses are going to need to be upgraded. Charging stations will need to be built. In this case, a lot of this work will require the skills that IBEW electricians have in order for it to be done in a quality way and make sure everything is working properly and safety is the highest priority.

I’m looking at some energy efficiency retrofit possibilities. Are there some ways to partner with municipalities here in our region?  Energy efficiency is the low-hanging fruit. It’s a way to create jobs quickly, save electricity right away, reduce your greenhouse gases and there’s a lot of public funds and utility funds available for that. And also this spring, looking at ways that we can partner more closely with environmental allies and work more closely with them.

Senator Barbara Boxer, Congressman Bob Filner and Assemblymember Manuel Perez Applaud Training Center as Critical to Developing a Local, Skilled Workforce for Imperial County’s Green Economy

Imperial, CA – August 21st, 2009 – Today, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 569 and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) joined by elected leaders hosted a Grand Opening for their new Imperial County Electrical Training Center. The facility is training a local, skilled workforce to support Imperial County’s emerging green energy economy and offering pathways out of poverty by creating family-wage careers with healthcare, retirement, benefits and lifelong training opportunities.

Speakers included Caridad Sanchez, Director, San Diego and Imperial Counties, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer; Congressman Bob Filner, United States House of Representatives, Congressional District 51; Staff Representative Antonio Ortega, Assemblymember Manuel Perez, California State Assembly, 80th District; Al Shur, Business Manager, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 569 and Andrew Berg, Executive Manager, National Electrical Contractors Association, San Diego Chapter.

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer remarked, “As a Chairman of the Environment and Public Works, I am pleased to know that the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 569 and the National Electrical Contractors Association are working together to train Imperial County’s workforce to fill clean energy jobs in Imperial County. People will not only learn important job skills, but will help to create new, clean energy technologies that will create economic growth. I applaud IBEW and NECA on your leadership.”

Congressman Bob Filner noted, “I am thrilled to see IBEW Local 569-NECA opening a Training Facility here in Imperial County. This is a win-win for working people, the local community and green energy businesses. As the green economy ushers in new career opportunities, I am working to