Local Lodge 199

THE PURPOSE OF this letter is to express our appreciation for the outstanding performance of the Local 199 Boilermakers supplied by you [BM-ST Carl Ferguson] and assigned by W.W. Gay Inc. to perform the baffle plate work on the Deerhaven Plant unit 2 for Gainesville Regional Utilities. [Babcock Power affiliate Riley Power Inc. subcontracted the work to Gay.]

Constitutional changes will limit gerrymandering

A NON-PARTISAN group seeking to reform Florida’s redistricting laws has cited Local Lodge 199 (Jacksonville, Fla.) as one of the key players in its successful ballot initiative last November. The initiative, backed by Fair Districts Florida, included two constitutional amendments aimed at discouraging the practice of gerrymandering. It passed by more than 60 percent of the vote.

Members of L-5 and L-199 take part in promotional film

A VIDEO PRODUCED by Helmets to Hardhats includes segments with military veterans who became Boilermakers through the H2H program. First shown at the Building and Construction Trades Department conference, the 12-minute film is an inspiring account of how the program helps veterans transition from military service to the civilian work force by connecting them with career opportunities in the construction trades.

L-502’s Nordstrom places second; Northeast contestants take team honors

GRADUATE APPRENTICE Michael Bogue, Local 7 (Buffalo, N.Y.), won first place at the 23rd annual Boilermakers’ National Outstanding Apprenticeship Competition, held Sept. 26-30 at Local 7’s training center in Orchard Park. Western States apprentice C. Eric Nordstrom, Local 502 (Puyallup, Wash.), took second. Team honors went to Bogue and Jeffrey Nasta, Local 5 Zone 5 (New York), representing the Northeast Area.

SIX GRADUATE APPRENTICES from two Florida lodges — L-199 in Jacksonville and L-433 in Tampa —– were among nearly 100 building trade workers honored June 4 in Jacksonville for completing their respective apprenticeship programs. Sponsored by the Jacksonville General Apprenticeship Association, the event drew 500 union members and guests.

Unions speak out in era of economic uncertainty

UNION MEMBERS ACROSS the country are making their voices heard when it comes to getting the work they need to support their families. Recently, Local 169 (Detroit) and Local 199 (Jacksonville, Fla.) took to the streets at rallies in their respective states.

Northeast & Great Lakes

Toth and Buskey win Northeast; Vodraska and Woods win Great Lakes

THE NORTHEAST AND Great Lakes areas held their 23rd annual joint graduate apprentice competitions May 4-8 at Local 5 Zone 197 (Albany, N.Y.). The top two finishers in each contest will represent their areas in the national contest in Kansas City, Kan., Sept. 27-Oct. 1.

Safety records improve, even with an 8.7 percent increase in man-hours

THE MORE YOU work, the more chances you have to get hurt. But even with an 8.7 percent increase in man-hours by field construction Boilermakers working in the United States in 2008, the safety records just got better, reports John Erickson, executive director of the National Association of Construction Boilermaker Employers (NACBE).