THE NEXT REGULAR UNION MEETING:
January 5, 2010 at 6:00 PM

OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS:
Officers Meeting: January 5, 2010 at 5:00 PM
Executive Board Meeting: January 20, 2010 at 5:30

WARM WISH’S TO ALL FOR A HAPPY, HEALTHY & SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON!
YOUR OFFICERS AND OFFICE PERSONNEL OF LOCAL 17

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DUES TO INCREASE: EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2010

Journeyman and Apprentice dues will increase one dollar ($1.00) per month, effective with dues for January 2010. This is a result of an increase by our International Association as adopted at the 41st International Convention. This rate increase will affect JOURNEYMAN AND APPRENTICE DUES ONLY. HONORARY DUES WILL REMAIN AT $8.40 PER MONTH.

JOURNEYMAN DUES: $34.75 PER MONTH

APPRENTICE DUES: $33.25 PER MONTH

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ATTENTION ACTIVE JOURNEYMAN AND APPRENTICE MEMBERS:

Pursuant to the motion passed at the October meeting regarding a Holiday bonus for active journeyman and apprentice’s, your Holiday Bonus check for $75.00 will be available at the union hall for pick-up during the period of Monday, December 15, 2009 through Monday, December 29, 2009. All remaining checks will be mailed on the 30th of December. To be eligible for the Holiday bonus, you must be an ACTIVE JOURNEYMAN OR APPRENTICE WITH AN OCTOBER DUES STAMP. Your October dues must be paid by December 1, 2009 to qualify for the refund.

These checks are valid for ninety (90) days; December 15, 2009 through March 15, 2010. All uncashed checks will automatically void after ninety days on March 16, 2010. Checks returned to us by the US Postal Service for insufficient addresses will be held until the ninety day limit for pick-up. NO checks will be reissued after March 15, 2010. Please remember it is your responsibility to keep a current address on record with the union hall.

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Many thanks to all that volunteered for the Children’s Holiday Party with Santa. Below are just some of the many happy faces that were seen throughout the afternoon.

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LOCAL 17 APPRENTICESHIP AND TRAINING CENTER INFORMATION

JOURNEYMAN UPGRADE CLASS SCHEDULE

WELDING CERTIFICATION:
The Training Center will be open the third Saturday of every month for welding instruction and certification. If you are interested in welding instruction or recertification, please contact the Training Center Office to schedule an appointment. All Training and Testing is done free of charge. With the exception of: A re-testing fee of $50.00 will be charged for all RE-tests due to lack of work record.

ATTENTION STATE CERTIFIED & INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED WELDERS: As a reminder to those members with State Welding Certification and registered with the International Welding Certification Program, it is your responsibility to keep your State Certification & International work recorded current. Welder employment records should be completed on the appropriate form, which includes the project name or number, the Contractor name, start and finish dates for the project on which you welded, supervisors name and their signature, along with a contact phone number. These forms must be submitted to ODOT and the International every six (6) months. If you are unsure on how to fill out these forms or you need additional forms, please contact the apprenticeship for assistance.

CONTACTS:
Training Center Phone: 216/685-1781
Training Center Fax: 216/685-1544
Jim Gilronan, Coordinator
Scott Munnings, Instructor

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EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR IRON WORKERS:

As part of our Drug Free Workplace policy, Iron Workers Local 17 will provide assistance to any member who is seeking help for substance abuse. Through the EASE@WORK program qualified professionals are available to assist you in dealing with drug and/or alcohol related issues. These services are provided on a strictly private and confidential basis. Iron Workers Local 17 pays the full cost for Voluntary Self-Referral Services for Chemical Dependency Issues (Based upon three (3) sessions) and Positive Drug Screen Referrals (Based upon three (3) sessions) through the Ease@Work program. We feel this offering is an investment in your health and productivity.

This Employee Assistance Service is accessible to you twenty-four hours a day with weekend counseling appointments available throughout Northeast Ohio. You can access this service by calling:

EASE@WORK

216-241-3273(EASE) OR 1-800-521-3273(EASE)

Remember that the program is strictly voluntary, confidential, private, and pre-paid. We all have very busy lives that demand our attention and it is sometimes difficult to find the time to take care of ourselves. Know that help is available to you when you need it.

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DRUG TESTING INFORMATION

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING RANDOM DRUG TESTING: It is imperative that those members currently holding a drug free card, be aware and understand the requirements of random drug testing. If you currently have a valid drug free card, you are required to comply with random drug testing. These random tests are many times scheduled right after or before your yearly testing is done. Even if you have just recently renewed your yearly drug card, and have passed, you are still required to appear for a random testing. Random drug testing is done at the discretion of MMC, and a special notice advising you of a scheduled (RANDOM TEST) is sent to your current address. Please be aware if you do not appear for a scheduled RANDOM TEST nor have a valid excuse from random, or do no go to a collection facility prior to the RANDOM TEST DATE, you will become INELIGIBLE under the terms of the Drug Policy.

DRUG TESTING DATES & TIME:

SATURDAY January 9, 2010 8:00 AM TO 11:00AM
SATURDAY February 6, 2010 8:00 AM TO 11:00AM