Tag Archives: IBEW

Become the best electrical talent out there

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DuPage JATC training center

Inside the DuPage JATC training center, students learn through classroom study and hands-on experience of motor and electronic fundamentals, industrial safety and digital fundamentals. Apprenticeship classes are recognized at College of DuPage and can be used towards an Electro-Mechanical Technology associates degree in Applied Science. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

Jennifer Rice Managing Editor

By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016
Email Jennifer Rice at: jen@foxvalley
labornews.com

WARRENVILLE — Being an IBEW electrician is about having a viable option for a career, not simply having a job.

With projections of 1/3 of Warrenville’s IBEW Local 701 workforce to retire in the next 10 years, combined with an increased construction cycle for the Chicagloand area, IBEW union officials are looking to train the newest up-and-coming IBEW union workforce.

IBEW Local 701, 28600 Bella Vista Pkwy., is currently taking applications every Tuesday for placement into its apprenticeship program, but you have to act quick. The last day to enroll in the program, for placement next year, is Tuesday, Sept. 27. Accepted applicants will start in May 2017. There are two programs for applicants — inside wireman, and data/telecommunications technician. There is a 3-step process to apply for either.

First: Apply between 8 a.m. to noon; and 1 to 4 p.m. There is a $20 fee ($25 to apply for both programs). You have to be 18-years-old at time of selection; be a high school graduate or GED equivalent; have a C average or better in high school algebra; show proof of citizenship.

Second: Take an aptitude test in November, which consists of reading comprehension and algebra. You have to score four or better, out of a possible nine.

Third: Interview process, consisting of 15 minutes in front of a panel.

DuPage JATC Training Director Hank Zurawski said the inside wireman program is the most popular. This program is a 5-year program, consisting of 8,000 work hours and 900 classroom hours.

“Applicants will learn about the electrical distribution throughout industrial and commercial types of construction,” Zurawski explained.

DuPage JATC training center

Instructors are teaching renewable energy training so students can meet the demand for smart-grid applications or solar and wind for residential, municipal, commercial and industrial properties. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

The data/telecommunications technician program is a 4-year program, consisting of 6,400 work hours and 720 classroom hours.

“Data technicians install voice and data networks, card access, security systems and camera systems,” Zurawski said.

There is an average of 10 to 12 students in the inside wireman program, and six students in the data technician program.

The advantage of apprenticeship programs is it allows students to learn in the work environment and get paid.

Zurawski made it very clear: an apprenticeship program is a 40-hour a week job.

“You’re going to go to work immediately, and you’re going to be paid for it. It’s required that you work 40 hours a week minimum, when work is available. You’re going to be given a competitive wage rate, and a respectable benefit package. You will contribute to three retirement savings account programs immediately,” he explained.

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There is no tuition involved, however, there is a $450 initial fee, which covers the cost of tools each apprentice receives. Cost after that is $400 every year for textbooks.

“All we do here, is privately funded through the collective bargaining agreement. Our members and signatory contractors have chosen to find a way to get the financial resources to sustain our posture in the industry,” Zurawski said.

He has a $1.3 million training budget — money that doesn’t come from the government, or the taxpayers.

The IBEW JATC has partnered with College of DuPage to accept apprentice classes as college credit. After completion of the apprenticeship program, COD will transfer 47-50 credit hours towards an Electro-Mechanical Technology associates degree in Applied Science. In essence, the apprenticeship school classes are equivalent to COD’s program requirements. A student will then have to complete 18 to 22 general education credits to acquire the degree.

Going above and beyond for Democrats

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Jennifer Rice Managing Editor

By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015
Email Jennifer Rice at: jen@foxvalley
labornews.com

JOLIET — Even as Labor leader Richard “Dick” Manley was being honored for his efforts and commitment to the success of the Will County Democratic Central Committee, he was humbled enough to acknowledge Will County Executive Larry Walsh’s efforts to the organization, calling Walsh his “Captain Marvel.”

“He is very popular, he is very compassionate and he does an excellent job — and his job is not always easy,” Manley explained.

Manley was the recipient of the 2015 Larry Walsh Lifetime Achievement Award during the annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner Oct. 9 in Joliet, held at IBEW Local 176.

Manley first served as president of AFT Local 1291 and continued as president when it merged with Local 604 in 1976.

2015 Jefferson Jackson Dinner Keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth is pictured with, from left, Will County Democratic Central Committee Secretary Karen Gonzalez, Chairman Scott Pyles and Treasurer Kevin Clancy. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

2015 Jefferson Jackson Dinner Keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth is pictured with, from left, Will County Democratic Central Committee Secretary Karen Gonzalez, Chairman Scott Pyles and Treasurer Kevin Clancy. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth said Illinois doesn’t have another county as unique as Will County. It knows how to expand manufacturing and provide job training, as well as make investments in transportation and infrastructure. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth said Illinois doesn’t have another county as unique as Will County. It knows how to expand manufacturing and provide job training, as well as make investments in transportation and infrastructure. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

Under Manley’s watch, Local 604 has grown to 75 councils in 10 counties, with almost 11,000 members, to become the second largest federated local in Illinois.

Candidates running for office are considered “fortunate” if they receive an endorsement from Manley and Local 604. “If you do, you better rise high and project that endorsement because that is one very, very favorable endorsement,” Walsh explained.

Manley and Walsh’s friendship goes back many years, and even though the two have disagreed on issues, Manley was always fair. “He was forthright. You never needed to guess what Mr. Manley’s opinion was because he came out and told you, without a doubt, what his opinion was,” Walsh said.

As a leader of many of Illinois’ teachers, Manley said his organization is vulnerable to anti-labor policies Gov. Bruce Rauner would like to place on organized labor. “Our goal, and I hope every one of your goals, is to destroy Bruce Rauner in the next election. This has got to be all the Democrats first priority: Get rid of Bruce Rauner,” Manley stressed.

American Federation of Teachers Local 604 President Richard “Dick” Manley was the recipient of the 2015 Larry Walsh Lifetime Achievement Award. Manley was honored during the Will County Democratic Central Committee’s annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner Oct. 9 in Joliet. Will County Executive Larry Walsh said Manley is one of the state’s strongest advocates for teachers. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

American Federation of Teachers Local 604 President Richard “Dick” Manley was the recipient of the 2015 Larry Walsh Lifetime Achievement Award. Manley was honored during the Will County Democratic Central Committee’s annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner Oct. 9 in Joliet. Will County Executive Larry Walsh said Manley is one of the state’s strongest advocates for teachers. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

Guests at the dinner were honored to hear keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth give an update of happenings in Washington. “Just when you think it’s really bad, it gets worse. It’s like watching a very bad car accident on the freeway between two clown cars,” she explained. When it comes to Illinois’ budget impasse, combined with the recent resignation of the Speaker of the House, a position that remains unfilled, she says it’s bad for democracy.

“It’s bad for our nation, and we can do better,” Duckworth said.

Referring to elected officials and labor leaders alike, Duckworth said their efforts are akin to standing the perimeter in a combat situation. “You protect the things that are valuable to us and to Democratic values. This nation is at a point in time where, if we don’t elect the right people in Washington, we’re in deep trouble,” she said.

Richard “Dick” Manley, far right, received the Larry Walsh Lifetime Achievement award from the Will County Democratic Central Committee. He is president of the AFT Local 604, the second largest federated local in Illinois.Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

Richard “Dick” Manley, far right, received the Larry Walsh Lifetime Achievement award from the Will County Democratic Central Committee. He is president of the AFT Local 604, the second largest federated local in Illinois. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

Joe Serpico: Loyal and dedicated to the Labor cause

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Jennifer Rice Managing Editor

By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015
Email Jennifer Rice at: jen@foxvalley
labornews.com

ADDISON — “I don’t call Joe my friend. I don’t call him a union guy — I call him my fratello, which in Italian, means, ‘my brother.’”

Louis Cairo had those enduring words Oct. 3 for Joe Serpico, a through-and-through family man, union leader and recent recipient of the Italian American Labor Council (IALC) of Greater Chicago Man of the Year award.

Cairo, senior partner at Goldberg Weisman Cairo (GWC) has the honor of working with Serpico at GWC. Serpico is the law firm’s labor liaison. Cairo himself is a past recipient of the award an understands the significance of the award.

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IALC President Anthony Guida presents Joe Serpico the Man of the Year award Oct. 3 in Addison. Guida said Serpico’s passion shows in everything he does. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

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Several colleges and friends of Joe Sepico, center, talked about his loyalty and dedication in his roles as in the IBEW organization, at Amalgamated Bank of Chicago and currently with Golberg Weisman Cairo. Sepico is pictured with, from left, Louis Cairo, Joseph Borrelli, Tom Villanova and Anthony Guida. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

“This is quite an honor. This organization is not just a social club — this organization is about family, and that’s what I love about it,” Cairo explained.

In recognizing a Man of the Year recipient, the IALC looks for people who go above and beyond with leadership skills and a commitment to the Labor movement.

There is no doubt Serpico is a family man. Speaker after speaker made mention of his love of family — which attend the awards night, including his wife, two children and six grandchildren.

Serpico acknowledged his family’s support of his union endeavors over the years. “I’m blessed with an amazing and supportive family . . . who has always been there, to encourage me to succeed.”

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Joe Serpico, far right, is shown with his family during the Italian American Labor Council’s annual Dinner Dance where Serpico was the recipient of the Man of the Year award for his leadership skills and a commitment to the Labor movement. Serpico said his family’s support of his union endeavors encouraged him to succeed. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer

He was visibly emotional talking about his grandchildren, who he asked to stand and be acknowledged by guests. “They are my pride and joy. I enjoy being with them so much.”
Serpico started his union career in 1965 as a member of IBEW Local 1031 at the Rauland Division of Zenith Electronics Corporation. He rose through the ranks, becoming Department Steward, Chief Steward, Executive Board Secretary, Business Representative and finally, President in 1989, a position he held until 2005.
Nine years later, in the spring of 2014, IBEW Local 1031 was absorbed by Local 134. Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council President Tom Villanova said he believes if Serpico was still leading that Local, there would have been a different outcome for it.

“I believe they’d be alive and growing. Thank God Joe shares our passion and hope for the future of this organization. He’ll keep the Italian American Labor Council alive and growing for a long time to come,” Villanova said.
After leaving IBEW, Serpico joined Amalgamated Bank of Chicago as Vice President, Relationship Manger, delivering state-of-the-art banking services and products to union customers.

IALC Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Borrelli noted the three industries Serpico has worked in — IBEW, banking and now a law firm — are all very different, yet Serpico has succeeded in all of them. Borrelli believe it’s Serpico’s traits of loyalty, dedication and a sense of humor that propel him forward.

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The Italian American Labor Council of Greater Chicago honored Joe Sepico Oct. 3 in Addison with its Man of the Year award for Sepico’s leadership skills and a commitment to the Labor movement. Jennifer Rice, staff photographer

“His dedication may be the key. For our own organization, Joe works tirelessly on our golf outings, this event and on our membership. You’d think this year, being honored, he’d take the year off, but he didn’t. He worked just as hard tonight on his own event as he worked on any other awards event,” Borrelli explained.
Serpico acts as President Emeritus for the IALC

IALC President Anthony Guida presented Serpico the Man of the Year award, adding that Serpico’s passion shows in everything he does. “Your contributions have made this organization prominent in our community.”