A Message from IBEW Local 1455 President Christopher G. Eisele

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I would like to pose to you some hypothetical and some not-so-hypothetical scenarios presented below. I would also like you to consider your personal responsibility as a member of IBEW Local 1455 in these scenarios.

Situation: Your co-worker is buying a house and is considering a builder who employs non-union carpenters, plumbers, electricians, etc.  Your co-worker asks your opinion OR doesn't ask your opinion.

Your response:

        a) "none of my business" - say nothing

        b) offer your opinion regardless of whether you were asked. Your opinion is "whatever

            is cheaper, that's what I would do"

        c) offer your opinion regardless of whether you were asked, Your opinion is "I try to

            patronize businesses that respect and honor Union wages and contracts.  I make

            my living, and provide for my family because of Union negotiated wages

            and benefits".

Situation: Your co-worker is talking about "what a Godsend that Wal-Mart" is in their

               attempt to save money on groceries in tough economic times (on an Ameren     

               blog no less  - not hypothetical) OR your co-worker poniticates about "what a 

               great deal I got at Wal-Mart on Chinese-made American flags". And then asks

               your opinion of Wal-Mart or Sam's Club.

Your response:

        a) "none of my business" - say nothing

        b) offer your opinion . Your opinion is "the Chinese already own us, they may

             as well own our flag and sell it for a profit.  Maybe we can pay them back by

             charging royalties on each American flag we import from them". 

        c) offer your opinion. Your opinion is "I don't care about the 2 dollars I could save by

            going to a place that pays wages that makes the health care premium so

            unaffordable that it doesn't matter that the place offers health care."

Situation: Your co-worker is talking about purchasing a new vehicle. Your co-worker asks

                your opinion OR doesn't ask your opinion.

Your response:

        a) "none of my business" - say nothing

        b) offer your opinion regardless of whether you were asked. Your opinion is "whatever

            is cheaper, that's what I would do"

        c) offer your opinion. Your opinion is "I don't care about the money I could save by

            buying a foreign-made, non-union made vehicle. I respect human rights and could

            not in good conscience purchase a vehicle made by a company with wages,

            benefits and working conditions that undermine the wages, benefits and working

            conditions that have been hard fought for by the UAW and enjoyed, in part, by

            U.S. autoworkers of foreign owned manufacturers".

Situation:  You are on the Local 1455 Negotiating Commitee at the expiration of the

                current contract set to expire in 2012.  The Committee negotiates a contract

                that they believe is fair.  You are questioned, repeatedly, at the contract vote

                meeting by persons that you know reacted in the 3 situations above

                with options (a) or (b).  Said persons are questioning "why didn't we do better?"

Your response:

         a) "I represent everyone in Local 1455 and I feel this is a fair contract" when you

               really want to say "what have you done to help support Local 1455 and your

               brothers and sisters in other Unions".

As you see above, it is the officer's of Local 1455 responsibility to represent IBEW Local 1455 (everyday - no exceptions) AND it is YOUR  responsibility to represent IBEW Local 1455 (everyday). 

Sometimes, silence is not an option. Action is required to validate your membership.

Please do your best to represent Local 1455 (everyday - no exceptions) , as the Officers and Executive Board members.of Local 1455 attempt to do.

Fraternally,

Christopher G. Eisele

President Local 1455 

P.S. in all of the situations presented above, "co-worker" is referenced.  It also could be friend or whatever.  Your responsibility is no differnet regardless of who "co-worker" is.

Are you feeling a little overwhelmed with all of this “going green” talk.  If so, you’re not alone.  There is a lot of keep straight.   Union Plus had decided to make it easier for you.  It is offering a new program with help IBEW Local 1455 members save money by becoming more energy efficient.   Union Plus is offering home heating oil rebates, rebates for your union-made “green cars” and a home energy audit rebate. 

For more information click here or go to unionplus.org.  

Since 1992, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has awarded more than $2.4 million to students of working families who want to begin or continue their post-secondary education. Over 1,700 families have benefited from our commitment to higher education. The Union Plus Scholarship Program is offered through the Union Plus Education Foundation.

The students selected for university, college, trade school or technical scholarships represent a wide sampling of backgrounds, union affiliations, goals and accomplishments. The selection process is very competitive since we receive over 5,000 applications each year.

For more information or access to the Union Plus Scholarship click here.

Source: www.unionplus.org 

IBEW Local 1455 is celebrating 45 years with AmerenUE employee Dianne Eisenbeis.  Eisenbeis started with the Company June 8, 1964 as a Stenographer in Festus, Missouri.  She is now a Field Operations Associate and works at the House Springs office.  There is a celebration today in her honor at 2:30 PM at the House Springs location.   Local 1455 is happy to have represented Eisenbeis for so many years and hope there are many more to come.  Congratulations Dianee Eisenbeis!