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Local Union No. 357 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the Southern Nevada Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) have stepped up efforts to work together in partnership to be the preferred provider of electrical technology in Southern Nevada.  To this end, they have leveraged the assets of an IBEW-NECA Joint Trust called the Labor Management Cooperation Committee (LMCC) to sponsor a survey of past, current and potential future employers.  Mr. Jones, Business Manager, IBEW 357 and Mr. Farr, Chapter Manager, NECA agree that “In order to be that preferred provider, the IBEW and NECA must first find out what our customers want.  Once we know what they want, we will make every effort to provide it. That is why we commissioned the survey.”

Key findings from the survey are very encouraging for the union electrical construction industry.  Survey results indicate an overwhelming 90 percent of the leading construction and development companies in Southern Nevada have employed IBEW/NECA professionals within the past two years and all of them plan to employ union electrical firms and electricians on future projects. The same respondents reported that the union electricians were professional, safety-conscious, well-trained, and knowledgeable crafts-men /women who are easily able to man both small and very large jobs.

The study also found that less than half of the respondents considered non-union electrical workers to be professional, well-trained or well-qualified to complete the work for which they were hired.

"Our local survey results are in line with studies done for similar organizations around the country. Indications point to a successful future for the union electrical industry," commented Local Union No. 357 Assistant Business Manager, Gary Pitts. "In today's working environment, very little is accomplished without strong collaboration. We believe that by working together, IBEW and NECA will continue to move our industry forward."

The professionals surveyed report that having the benefit of a state of the art training facility and a nationally recognized apprenticeship training program enables the union electricians to hit the ground running and produce quality workmanship, done right the first time, on time and, at, or under budget.

Mr. Jones and Mr. Farr agree:  “We have no intention of resting on our laurels here.  The survey results were very encouraging.  However, we are going to keep improving ourselves through continuing education in order to keep pace with technology and by keeping things positive and moving forward.” 

OPPORTUNITY VILLAGE - VOLUNTARY ACTION

The Southern Nevada Chapter National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) has become involved in our community through exemplary volunteer activities.  NECA Member Electrical Contractors have been donating materials, tools and equipment and their IBEW Local 357 union employees have been donating their time and expertise to a series of public service projects throughout the Valley on an ongoing basis.  Others who have been participating in the process with donations of material for theses volunteer projects are:  Too Many Amps, Grove Madsen, Graybar and Nedco Supply.

On two Saturday, July 31^st and August 28, thirty-some union electricians, representing several NECA Electrical Contracting Firms, gathered at Opportunity Village on Oakey in order to restore the electrical system to a good solid standard.  Some of the electricians volunteered their time for up to six hours on that day.  Union electricians will continue to volunteer at Opportunity Village until the project is completed.  Opportunity Village is a not-for-profit organization that serves people throughout the community with intellectual disabilities, to enhance their lives and the lives of their families. Opportunity Village provides a wide range of services for people with disabilities.  They operate two campuses, two Work Centers and one Thrift Store in Las Vegas.  They also operate a vehicle donation program, train and place hundreds of disabled adults in community-based jobs throughout Southern Nevada and host some of the most popular special events in all of Las Vegas, including the annual Magical Forest. 

Visit the Center for Independent Living web site by clicking here!

The Supervisor's Committee has taken on another community project.  Lead by Ledger Cantley of Bombard Electric, 50 Union Electricians turned out to re-wire the Center for Independent Living.  This was the first in many steps necessary to bring the property at Las Vegas Boulevard and Foremaster Lane back to habitable condition.

[Source:  Henderson Home News, Thursday, May 8, 2003, Community Page]

Partnering is…

When a group of guys get together once a month to talk about ways to better the union electrical industry.

When Tony Shackelton suggests that the group focus on a project.

When Mel Polda calls the Boys and Girls Clubs of Henderson and asks if they need a hand.

When Ross Farr, Jeff Westover, Bill Himel and Mel Polda visit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Henderson early on a Saturday morning to assess the electrical needs and make a shopping list.

When Ross Farr calls Neil Wynard of Too Many Amps and asks if he has the necessary fixtures for the job.

When Neil Wynard donates the fixtures to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Henderson.

When Jeff Westover reminds electricians and apprentices to come together on Saturday morning March 8th to tear down the old outdoor lighting and replace it with new lighting.

When NECA contractors agree to send their service trucks to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Henderson and instruct their employees to use whatever they need to complete the job.

When 55 IBEW electricians and apprentices show up early on a Saturday morning and work for four straight hours installing outdoor lighting and fixing indoor exit signs.

When Max Carter says: We used to have an action committee that ended up being one guy trying to do everything himself. What I see here is that we can’t do it without the contractors. But with the contractors we can do some amazing things.

Together we do it better!

That’s partnering!

Partnering is cooperation, communication and working together. It needs to happen out on the job sites. Mr. Jones said that he & Ross, the Chapter Manager, talk all the time. He said that cooperation needs to take place on the jobs with the stewards and the foremen/general foreman. He said that we need to work our issues out in the field. Mr. Westover said that it starts with something so simple as the Foremen & General Foremen saying “good morning” to their crews and it goes from there.

On October 25th, a General Partnering Meeting was held at the JATC facility. The purpose of the meeting was to bring all of the Partnering Committees together in order to share with everyone the progress that has been made so far and to affirm, as a group, the next steps.

Each committee met in break—out sessions and were tasked with preparing a report for the body as a whole. Each report included a list or goals, progress toward those goals so far, what the committee can achieve realistically, the time frame to achieve the goals as stated and the benefits to the industry. Each committee was also tasked with making a funding request from the group.

The meeting was well attended and there were a few new faces since the first General Partnering Meeting on August 14th.

Every Committee, except one, had met at least two times since August 14th. Some good ideas surfaced and the room was filled with a great deal of positive energy. The Image Committee asked for and received $4,000 for Apprentice Badges and $2,000 to run ads in Movie Theatres. The PLA Committee requested & got $400 to bring in some experts from California to help with the PLA plans.

Jim Ebel of Bombard Electric set the tone when he said: “We need to celebrate our little victories. Because of efforts from everyone, the Code of Excellence passed. It means a lot to me personally. If we can just get across that it all starts with attitude. We need to celebrate this victory. It’s the first stepping-stone, but it’s a big one.”

Mr. Mickey Miles continued on the theme when he said that he agreed that there was a reason to celebrate. He said that the reason why some people were against the Code was a “trust” factor. He said that “not even within the IBEW do we trust each other.” Mickey said that once there was explanation and discussion, the brothers & sisters bought into the Code. He said: “this is true of so much of what we do, we can accomplish a lot when we talk things through and I hope that we can do the same in the marketplace.”

Mr. Farr introduced Mr. Richard Leigon as the LMCC Prevailing Wage Officer. Mr. Leigon fielded some questions and wanted to make clear to everyone in the field that they can help him do his job by letting him know if they know of anyone on a Public Works Project not getting paid Prevailing Wages. Mr. Leigon explained that cases get filed on behalf of individuals and not against employers.

Mr. David Jones introduced Susan Davis as a new Organizer for the IBEW 357.

Mr. Jones encouraged the partnering committees to continue to meet regularly, to expand their goals and then meet them. He said to make sure the goals are attainable and to take a little bit at a time. David Jones reminded everyone that it won’t happen overnight.

On June 20, IBEW 357 leaders attended the Chapter dinner and a dialogue began. The conversation began with people identifying different problems that affect them.
The communication continued at a special dinner on August 5th where members of the Local and the Chapter came together again to break bread and share ideas. This evening proved to be a watershed in that people weren't just talking among themselves anymore -- they were talking to each other.
Then on August 14th the real deal of partnering began. Management selected from among their own to express the contractors point of view and the Hall selected leaders to express the employee's point of view. Everyone committed to working together to solve our mutual problems.
The nuclei for the committees are set, but membership and participation are not limited by any means. If needs are identified, other committees may be established also.
David Jones, BA-IBEW Local 357 outlined the initial goals of the committees when he said: "First identify the problems, then find the solutions."
Together we stand, ...

In Anticipation of Great Things, here's what was said:

Mr. Jones & Mr. Farr thanked everyone for coming to this important event.
Each person introduced him/herself and some people expressed their hopes and expectations for Partnering. Mr. Pitts said that he is "honored to be a part of Partnering." Mr. Lisowski said that he has seen things fall apart in other areas of the country and he's glad to see everyone making the effort to "turn it around here." Mr. Dennis Nelson said: "United we stand?." Mr. Kefalas thanked Ross & David for making this happen. Mr. Troy Nelson said he's glad to see the line of communications open and he was looking forward to great things happening. Ms. Farmer said that we all "have to help move this thing along." Mr. Sutton said that he is looking for positive things that will result in increased market share. Mr. Oliver said that he's glad to see the change that's already taking place and will continue through this process. Mr. Quiett said that he is proud to be a part of partnering. Mr. Shackelton said that he's happy to see everyone in the same room talking and getting done what needs to be done. Mr. Tucker said that we're all in the same family and that the brothers and sisters need to quit fighting. Mr. Large said that we're heading in the "right direction" and that we need to keep going.

On Monday, August 5, a meeting took place at the Canyon Gate Country Club: 32 people representing NECA, the IBEW 357 and supervisors who work for NECA Contractors came together to dialogue about the current state of affairs in the union electrical industry. It was an open forum where concerns were expressed and each person genuinely listened to the other to digest what was said. Concerns regarding 1) apprentices - attitudes, contractor commitment to full employment, unfilled calls, need for more, ratios, training, taking them under one's wing, future leaders, honest evaluations, new form for "cancellation of training assignment," lack of appeal for the trade among young people, and the like; 2) attitudes - necessary changes, lack of economic knowledge, economic consequences of bad ones, bad ones fostered by travelers, "noisy minority," NOT "working oneself out of a job" RATHER "doing a job well-done to move on to the next" etc.; 3) shrinking union - attrition without replacement; 4) non-union's role - ratios, training, employment; 5) image - construction ranks 248th of 250 professions; 6) VDV Market - problems with the agreement, market share, unemployment, lack of full spectrum training, pipe bending, duplication, required own supervision, bee hive effect--lots of people with no extra productivity, can't afford extra labor, second class citizens, attitude problems, gotta find the exact problem and then fix it, problem in other jurisdictions too, 7) trust - key to the future, needs to go both ways; 8) "shop cats" - loyal employees receiving ridicule, "career" vs. "job," loyalty; 9) communication - critical to our mutual goals, a responsibility of everyone; 10) financial concerns - both contractors and employees have, long-term benefit; 11) personalities - all different, not have to love everyone to get along and work together; 12) being human - just say "hi," 13) mutual respect - growing at the top level now, needs to be translated to the field, not always agree, resolve problems in field, build relationships, everyone?s best interest, hear each other out, good rapport on all sides; 14) times have changed - different trade, different attitudes; 15) compromise - give on both sides; 16) NECA termination policy - using it to help individuals help themselves, equal treatment, corrective discipline, tool to get employee to do what supposed to do, give opportunity to change course; 17) travelers - own the local, some blocked from putting their ticket in if not liked by one person; 18) problems - can't be fixed if it is not known they exist; 19) more active participation from the membership - including involvement with the apprentices; 20) Electronic Systems Technician (EST) Classification - proposed classification we don't want; 21) negotiations - better result with right attitude created by productivity and mutual respect; 22) partnering - grow the industry,

Robert Buntjer said it best when he said: "Everything is in place, the opportunities for education and training, the quality and knowledge to resolve the issues, everything - all we need to do now is step up to the plate and get our market share up." He continued: "We have the energy in this room to confront with openness and boldness the issues that face us. We need to use our people skills and concentrate our effort on getting more work. Communication is the key. Being honest/approachable people is the key."
Mr. Farr thanked everyone for their time and for the effort everyone is putting forth to better the union electrical industry. He said that we need to support each other and not tear each other down. Involvement it the key.
Every one did not agree with everything that was said but everyone did listen. People will return to their jobs with many more things to think about as they make their choices and decisions during the day. Herein lies the value of coming together to engage in this open discussion. The process will continue on August 14th at the Partnering Meeting at 12:00 p.m. at the JATC.

On June 19th something amazing happened-the whole IBEW 357 leadership joined the Chapter members at our monthly meeting to begin partnering for real. Fifty-people from all aspects of the electrical construction industry got together at the Canyon Gate Country Club for dinner. The evening began with the exuberance of old friends getting together and new friends being made. Small groups began to emerge and conversations covered a myriad of topics. Every person introduced themselves to the group and bespoke their affiliation. The large group came together to express concerns related to contractors bidding, more productivity from the hands., VDV, apprentice ratios, drugs, market, Prevailing Wage, organizing, the Code of Excellence --
"Code of Ethics," Procedures for Discipline, and other related topics.
Mickey Miles, President of IBEW Local No. 357 put it this way: "There are some misperceptions on both sides, and perception is reality."
Every person in the room listened intently to what was being said. It was clear to most attendees that some misinformation was out there and attempts were made on all fronts to clear up some of the misinformation.
The response by everyone was overwhelmingly positive. It was an eye opening event with a very positive tenor. There were rumblings about doing this more often, perhaps quarterly.
Mr. Miles said that "communication is the critical element to the success of any relationship including the relationship between the Hall and the Chapter." Mr. Farr, our Chapter Manager, said that "this is the beginning of Partnering 2002 and beyond."