BA’s Desk:

Congratulations to the newly elected Business Agent Jim Chapman III. Happy Holidays to the entire Local.

 

Local News:(KC, Topeka, & St. Joe)  

Congratulations for passing the Mechanic Exam: Steve Anderson, Mike Barnhart, Ed Garner, Bryant Gish, Mike Taylor and Randy Wilson. 

Any retired IUEC members wintering near the Rio Grande Valley in southern Texas in late Jan 06 or February 06? Retired Brother Ed Buck would be interested in meeting for a breakfast or lunch. Please contact him at his email address at edanddonna@gbronline.com, or you may contact him through the Local 12 Office at 816-358-1312.

Retiree’s luncheons:

Retiree Holiday Luncheon

Dec 7 – Local 12 Union Hall, 6320 Manchester Ave, Kansas City, MO

Dec 8 - Union Christmas Party

See web site for more info. WWW.IUEC12.Com

 

Land of Oz & Beyond:(Wichita, & Springfield)

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Commentary:

Went to the budget meeting and heard all the facts and figures of what it’s going to take to run Local12 for the next year. Anyone listening knows it’s a hell of a lot of money and my dues just keep increasing. I didn’t see too many places where expenses could be cut and I believe the guys we just elected are going to cut cost in any areas they find.

Afterwards we were discussing how we could make this process simpler. (KISS) The more time we save in the process, the more value we get from our paid Business Representative, Financial Treasurer.

The idea is we use a 4.5 factor times our base mechanics wage for everyone’s quarterly dues, this would pay all the bills without nearly the bookkeeping saving time and making better use of our Financial Treasurer. Our budget is about 4.25 times the Mechanic’s Base Wage (MBW). This leaves .25 times the (MBW) left over. My initial feeling was, hey if you got extra bucks you’re going to spend them. If it takes 4.25 to run things, then that’s what the amount should be. But on the other hand, I always tuck a little away each check for a rainy day and why shouldn't the local do the same. If there is a difference between the budget and the extra income it could be deposited the into a separate fund, such as a building fund or a strike fund, that cannot be touched without the body of Local 12 voting on it.

The other argument was: “Should an apprentice pay as much as a mechanic; or shouldn’t an over scale mechanic pay more for their dues.”

My thought is this:

 

1^st It cost an apprentice less than $500.00 to join Local 12 and it’s the best paying job and benefits they have ever had. The extra paid in dues, over 4 years, is just part of belonging to Local 12 for the next 25 years.

 

2^nd We should all pay the same dues, just like a club or any other Professional Association. We all receive the same services and representation. The amount you make shouldn’t affect the amount of that membership.

 

3^rd If some mechanics have been able to command a better wage, then what right do we have to take our little piece. They earned the extra not us, we earned them the base wage and that is what our dues should be based.

 

Some have even suggested the dues should be based against your total wage, like some of the larger locals. This would involve each member providing his pay-stub to verify his or her income regularly.

There are other voices out there and I am asking for emails of other points of view for a future Journal article.

 

Opposing views are good…Email me!

Jim Linn

journal@iuec12.com

 

10 Good Men…From left to right: (BACK) Brad Stevens,  Todd Gragg, Jason Sacket, Aaron Pykiet, Troy Taylor, Tom Poteete (FRONT)  Jack Blackwill, Clint Moore, Tim Dunmire, Scott Alder.

 

Welcome to Local #12.  Congratulations to the newly initiated apprentices:  Rob Hall, Travis Jarmin, Rodney Clay,  Brian Foster,  and Joshua Hayes.

 

This is the best job in town!                        Back to Publications