Block Electric Co. - Since 1920

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

- JACK BLOCK

I am reprinting a joint news release regarding recent economic developments in the St. Louis area. All I can say is sometimes we don't realize what we have until it's gone. Things continue to be difficult in our area as well as the whole country. However, we are hanging in there!

IBEW-NECA Aims to Jumpstart Economic Engine
"Partnership Contract" Cuts Total Wage & Benefit Cost & Expands Flexibility

New IBEW-NECA Agreement Lauded as Real Solution to Lagging Economy;
Labor & Management Address Customers' Needs Together

ST. LOUIS ---- The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local One and the St. Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), have ratified a new three-year contract that breaks with long-held traditions to offer construction buyers pricing that is aggressively competitive.

The 8.23 percent across-the-board cut in IBEW electricians' compensation and other significant contract changes dramatically reduce the cost of union electrical construction with the IBEW's highly trained, highly skilled work force. That cut escalates to 8.77 percent on January 1, 2011. Additional contract changes make the total cost savings to construction buyers, general contractors and home builders even greater for many projects.

"The contract changes adopted by IBEW Local One and NECA are unparalleled in terms of listening to what customers say they need and responding with more than anyone expected," said Jim LaMantia, executive director of PRIDE, the St. Louis area's construction industry labor-management-owner industry cooperative group, founded in 1972. "This sets the bar higher than it's ever been lifted to offer real solutions to bolster our lagging economy."

The new IBEW-NECA contract, effective June 1:Enacts significant wage and fringe benefit reductions.

Reduces total crew cost through flexible use of apprentices with different skill levels to enable IBEW/NECA union electrical contractors to compete more aggressively and simultaneously increase work opportunities.
Trims shift work pay, overtime pay and fringe benefit costs.
Initiates the IBEW Code of Excellence, which solidifies joint employer-employee efforts to meet customers' needs and deliver the best value for every dollar invested in construction.

The Code of Excellence requires employers and electricians to work together to consistently
satisfy customers by delivering the highest levels of performance, professionalism and productivity. The code institutes a process for continual improvement to deliver maximum jobsite efficiency and professional performance. Highlights of the code include the following:

All IBEW workers adhere to contractual obligations for a productive work day with minimal idle time.
IBEW workers and NECA contractors consistently work together to assure delivery of the highest level of value to customers.
IBEW workers commit to abide by owner and contractor rules and conduct work professionally at all times.
Electricians and contractors pledge to achieve maximum levels of jobsite safety.
IBEW workers and NECA contractors pledge to work together to maximize productivity and jobsite efficiency.
Employers provide appropriate tools, planning, supervision and materials to assure highest levels of performance.

IBEW Local One adopted a compensation rollback only once before in its 119-year history, a 19.6 percent reduction in 1930 as the country entered the Great Depression. NECA contractors, who collaborate with IBEW Local One through the labor-management group, the Electrical Connection, pledged to compete with aggressive marketing and pricing. The new contract allows contractors to use electricians at different stages of training to lower costs while ensuring high quality, safe installations. The terms maximize the industry's ability to attract new electricians as jobs develop and start new apprentices throughout the year.

IBEW & NECA Aim to Get Stalled Projects Out of Starting Blocks

"We looked at our community and our industry in recession and together considered how we could generate jobs, and position our contractors and workforce to be the highest value choice of our mutual customers," said Douglas R. Martin, executive vice president of the St. Louis Chapter, NECA. "This is an example of labor-management cooperation at work. Our NECA contractors and Local One understand our customers' needs and the importance of lowering construction costs to help attract and retain business for St. Louis and our eastern Missouri markets. We hope our actions inspire our customers to move stalled projects out of the starting blocks and take advantage of the lower costs we can deliver, along with exceptional skills, education and training of our workforce."

Stephen P. Schoemehl, business manager of IBEW Local One, added, "When construction investment increases, employment rises and everyone benefits, from neighborhood businesses and restaurants to homebuilders and car dealers. And because taxes are paid based on spending, income and business revenue, construction spending helps generate more tax dollars to better meet public needs. Since our last contract, we have been delivering small and massive projects of ever-increasing technical complexity. As St. Louis competes with cities across the country for the high-tech industries of the future, including renewable energy, our collective skills are among St. Louis' greatest assets. We want to be buyers' first choice, and IBEW members were willing to make personal sacrifices to move our region forward and invest in its future."

The new three-year contract covers about 3,100 IBEW Local One members working 147 electrical contractors in Missouri plus a number of contractors in Illinois, represented by NECA. It applies to work in the City of St. Louis and 25 Missouri counties, stretching for the northern border of Lincoln County south to Arkansas border. The contract was approved 12 days prior to its June 1 expiration.

New Contract Boosts Value, Lowers Costs

"The changes we've adopted are an enormous tribute to the commitment of IBEW members to St. Louis and to our mutual customers," Martin said. "As a construction team - Labor and management - we must constantly improve our value and performance. Our new IBEW-NECA contract is a dramatic signal of our ability and willingness to do just that amid great economic, political and financial uncertainties."

St. Louis has the capacity to provide a world-class workforce to build high tech industries. IBEW apprentices complete at least four-and-a-half years and a minimum of 8,000 hours of training to become journeyman wiremen in a program that meets the standards of the U.S. Department of Labor. IBEW electricians regularly continue their education at the St. Louis Electrical Industry Training Center to be ready to deliver the most efficient installations for emergency technologies and innovations.

We have landed a couple of substantial projects this month. First, is the Hinsdale Hospital Bed Tower Addition with Bulley and Andrews. This will be Block Electric's seventh major hospital bed tower addition in the last five years, the most of any contractor in the Chicagoland area. This job includes substantial site work and infrastructure improvements and a new state of the art bed tower.

Second, is the downtown Chicago Post Office at the John C. Kluczynski Federal Building. This project with Charpie Construction involves relighting the existing lobby level. The new fixtures will improve energy efficiency by 50 percent. Also a state of the art lighting control system that will control lighting in the entire building. We also have a separate project with Berglund Construction to relight the outdoor plaza areas.

In his autobiography, "Iacocca," Chrysler Past-President Lee Iacocca relates the following story.

While at a private dinner with legendary football coach Vince Lombardi, Iacocca asked Lombardi about his formula for success. The coach replied, "You have to start by teaching the fundamentals. A player's got to know the basics of the game and how to play his position. Next, you've got to keep him in line. That's discipline. The men have to play as a team, not as a bunch of individuals. There's no room for prima donnas."
He continues, ". . . Then you come to the third ingredient: if you're going to play together as a team, you've got to care for one another. You've got to love each other. Each player has to be thinking of the other guy and saying to himself: If I don't block that man, Paul is going to get his legs broken. I have to do my job well in order that he can do his."

What does this have to do with you and job safety? Plenty.

First, you must know how to perform your job. Be sure you understand the equipment and your instructions. If you aren't sure, ask questions. Remember, there's no such thing as dumb questions, only dumb mistakes.

Next, do the job as you are instructed. That's discipline. If you don't do the job as instructed, do not get mad when your supervisor corrects you. That's his job. Among other things he is trying to keep you from getting hurt and keep you in line. Listen to him. Don't make his job tougher than it already is.
Lastly, remember you are part of a team. There is no room for prima donnas. The rules apply to you. Not only should the rules be followed so that you don't get hurt, but your oversight may also hurt someone else. Look out for the other guy. If he is doing something wrong, point it out. He may not realize his error. Not only that, his error may be a threat to you. Many of you who hear or read this work in hazardous environments. An extra set of eyes and ears is a definite advantage when you consider the number of ways you can get into trouble.

Both of these men were very successful. Let's take advantage of the insight they have offered.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

Congratulations to the following recipients of the 2010-2011Block Electric Scholarship Awards. A record number of applications were received this year. Block Electric is pleased to be able to support these fine students.

Nadine Arvesen, daughter of Mike and Sue Arvesen. Nadine will attend Western Michigan University.

Nicholas Benninger, son of Mike and Katherine Benninger. Nicholas will attend the University of Illinois at Chicago.

George Brauneis IV, son of George and Jill Brauneis. George will attend Illinois State University.

Bridget Hughes, daughter of Jerry and Sharon Hughes. Bridget will attend Western Michigan University.

Andrew Hughes, son of Jerry and Sharon Hughes. Andrew will attend Indiana University.

Andre Morsy, son of Kathy Mota. Andre will attend DePaul University.

Alicia McCormick, daughter of Larry and Gina McCormick. Alicia will attend Eureka College.

Stephanie McCormick, daughter of Jim and Rhonda McCormick. Stephanie will attend Illinois State University.

Brittany Phee, daughter of Pat and Shelley Phee. Brittany will attend Eastern Illinois University.

Kathryn Vignocchi, daughter of Joe Vignocchi. Kathryn will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana.

Matt Crutchfield 07/05

Keith Larmon 07/09

Ramon Gonzalez 07/09

Joe Vignocchi 07/10

Lucas Simpson 07/24

Gary Besenhofer 07/25

Jim Turk 07/25

Chris McCormick 07/25

Ron Stefaniak 07/28

Phil Casto 07/29

Tim Vanderhyden 07/29

Melissa Lorek 07/29

Adam Ciancanelli 07/30

Dave Scott 07/31

30- Number of places nationwide with "liberty" in their name. The most populous one is Liberty,

Missouri (26,232). Iowa has more of these places than any other state: four (Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and West Liberty).

Eleven places have "independence" in their name. The most populous of these is Independence, Missouri, with 113,288 residents.

Five places adopted the name "freedom." Freedom, California, with 6,000 residents, has the largest population among these.

There is one place named "patriot" - Patriot, Indiana, with a population of 202. And what could be more fitting than spending the day in a place called "America"? There are five such places in the country, with the most populous being American Fork, Utah, with 21,941 residents.

"Eat your barbecue, it's good for you!

In what may be the best diet-related health news of all time (at least until scientists discover that beer makes you live forever), a study at the University of Ontario has found antioxidants which can boost the body's immune system are present in the herbs and spices used for . . . barbecue sauce.

The research team analyzed seven different popular sauces and marinades available at supermarkets.

The sauces contained herbs and spices as primary ingredients, and included such varieties and flavors as jerk sauce, garlic and herb, roasted red pepper, sesame ginger teriyaki, and others. Cooking reduces the antioxidant effect by about 50 percent, but even after barbecuing, the sauces still contain "significant" levels of antioxidants.

Fire up the grill and get healthy.

HAPPY FOURTH

Fireworks and celebrations go together, especially during the Fourth of July and year end celebrations. Remember, fireworks can be dangerous, causing serious burn and eye injuries. You can prevent fireworks-related injuries and deaths. How? By working with a national, state or local organization where you live to promote fireworks safety in your community.

Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July!

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