IBEW Local 21 Archived News Stories

September 2006

Global Surplus/Layoff

On a prior IBEW Local 21 newswire update (630-415-2711), our union announced that an agreement had been reached for members affected by the layoff/surplus, and that if they are interested in taking positions in Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, or Ohio, they could modify their Surplus Transfer Request form and be considered for those openings. An additional agreement on this matter was reached on Friday, September 22, 2006. This agreement provides that any member accepting an out-of-state position through this process will qualify to receive Reassignment Pay Protection Plan and Relocation payments as outlined under Article 30 of the contract.

Local 21 was also successful getting AT&T to agree this week that the Force Disposition Date (off-payroll date) be extended until October 30, 2006 for those members working in Global that are affected by the surplus/layoff.

For all the news in Global, Network, and more, click on [Full Story].

Cleveland Welcomes 37th IBEW Convention

September 11, 2006 - the IBEW’s 37th International Convention opened this week in Cleveland, OH. The official opening of the Convention was preceded by several days of activities including the Electrical Industry Exposition, women’s conference, political conference and the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus.

Then on Monday, IBEW delegates and officers, including IBEW Local Union 21’s delegation, got down to the business of the 37th International Convention. The IBEW International website provides almost Instant Convention Coverage including videos, photo galleries, convention newsletters, speeches and more. [Full Coverage]

Fired-Up AFL-CIO Organizing Director Stewart Acuff

Click on the image above to be redirected to the website – YouTube – to hear an inspiring union speech by Stewart Acuff at a July 4, 2006 Solidarity Celebration with the Eastern Maine Labor Council in Brewer, Maine. As usual, Brother Acuff delivers a powerful speech as he reminds us why we need to continue the fight against those working against us and to get out the vote to make change in the months ahead. (Length 09:57)

SBC DataComm News

September 7, 2006 - SBC DataComm announced in August another layoff of 11 technicians - 8 from service and 3 from install, all from Zone 1. That layoff went into effect just over a week ago, on August 30, 2006.

Again, the company did this in spite of an above average work situation and also while bargaining unit work was being contracted out and sent to Tier 2.

IBEW Local 21 filed the requisite grievance and we continue our fight in federal court against the company. It should be noted that the existing court case is being amended to add the names of the 11 members just laid off. [Full Story]

News for members at AT&T

Global Markets
Local 21 continues to hold discussions with AT&T, attempting to reach an agreement to get the arbitration over this issue scheduled for hearing as soon as possible. Again – the issue to be arbitrated is the illegal movement of work outside of our jurisdiction that will result in the surplus/layoff of 137 members working in Global in downtown Chicago and Oakbrook.

An agreement has been reached that any member in Global that will be affected by this layoff/surplus and who is interested in taking a position in Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, or Ohio, will now be able to modify their Surplus Transfer Request form and be considered for those openings. [Full Story]

Indiana General Election Endorsements

The Committee On Political Education (C.O.P.E) Department in conjunction with the Indiana State AFL-CIO and the Northwest Indiana Federation of Labor, CLC have made the Official Endorsements for the November 7, 2006 Elections [Full Story]