Editor’s note: This story by Robert Selna appeared Aug. 14 in the San Francisco Chronicle. The heavily polluting power plant on San Francisco’s southeastern waterfront would close by the end of next year under a legal settlement announced Thursday (Aug. 13) between Mirant Corp. and City Attorney Dennis Herrera. The 40-year-old fossil-fuel plant, which officials… [Read More]
Former IBEW Business Rep Carves a Reputation for Himself in Retirement
Editor’s note: This story by Kristofer Noceda appeared June 5, 2009 in The Daily Review.It reports on retirement activities of Joel Ellioff, a long-time business representative for Local 1245. Reminders of some of Joel Ellioff’s most interesting experiences can be found on his collection of walking sticks. Ellioff, 66, spends endless hours carving stories and random designs into… [Read More]
WILLIE LaBARBERA SWORN IN TO ADVISORY COUNCIL
Willie LaBarbera, left, a seven-year member in the Utility Services and Maintenance Unit at Modesto Irrigation District, is given the oath by President Mike Davis at the July 25th meeting of the Local 1245 Advisory Council in Vacaville. LaBarbera will represent Irrigation District members on the Advisory Council.
MEMBER LETTER: UNION SHOULD COMMEMORATE HENRY MILLER
To the Editor: I am writing this letter to express my disappointment with the Utility Reporter. Not once anywhere in your publication was the anniversary of Henry Miller‘s untimely death mentioned. There was nothing! There are two dates that should be significant to all of us in the IBEW. November 21, 1891 and July 10, 1896. If it… [Read More]
ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS CONFERENCE: A LOCAL 1245 PERSPECTIVE
By Bill Wallace I would like to thank the Executive Board for sending me to the Alliance for Retired Americans Conference in Washington D.C. It proved to be quite invigorating. The major underlining themes at the conference were: í- Develop a partnership between retired workers, union and nonunion worker’s and use this strength to insure… [Read More]
NEW OFFICERS ELECTED BY IBEW UNIT AT CITY OF SANTA CLARA
Unit 1411, Silicon Valley Power/City of Santa Clara, has elected new officers. The new chairman is John Sanders. The new vice chairman is Dan Ryker. Ed Giardina will continue as unit recorder. Bill Brill, Business Rep.
HISTORICAL PHOTOS FROM SANTA CRUZ
IBEW UTILITY CONFERENCE CONFRONTS CHANGING TIMES
Change was on the agenda at the recent IBEW Utility Conference in Denver, Co.: economic change, political change, and climate change. The economic downturn has led to an upswing in recessionary bargaining during contract negotiations. Industrial load for utilities is down, which has led to declines in revenue from industrial customers, according to a workshop attended by… [Read More]
THE SORT OF NOTE WE LIKE TO GET
This is the sort of note we like to get. A recent dues check from Michael Lenhares of Rohnert Park, CA was accompanied by the following message: “This check covers my union dues to the day I retire. My retirement date is 6-11-10. Local 1245, you have been great. Thanks for all the great years.”
SAN JOSE UNIT HAS NEW MEETING LOCATION
Unit 1511, San Jose, has a new meeting location effective July 8, 2009: the Sherwood Inn and Restaurant, located at the corner of Foxworthy Ave. and Almaden Expressway (2988 Almaden Expressway). The former meeting site has gone out of business. Meetings will continue to be held on the second Wednesday of every month beginning at… [Read More]