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Official Publication of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1186, AFL-CIO
CONSTRUCTIONOCEANIC CABLETELECOM
DOD CIVIL SERVICEHICKAM
PEARL HARBOR
IBEW HAWAII
Volume XXXIV No. 5 October 2010
NAVFAC Labor Committee that is respon-sible for their military contracts. As you are aware, the United States military will be moving its Okinawa military base to Guam, thus creating work for the next five to six years there. Our involvement is to try to organize the manpower there by requir-ing Project Labor Agreements (PLA) for those military projects. We know they work and we want to help the Guam government to train their workers through apprenticeship programs in Guam. We have found that they don’t have the skills that we have for the IBEW Journeyperson. Implementing the National Electrical Code (NEC) and our Hawaii State licensing laws will help build a much safer military base for our sol-diers. Using foreign labor to build our U.S. military bases doesn’t make sense.
The challenge however, is the Davis-Bacon rate in Guam. Currently the rate for electricians there is $15.45 as of September 2010 as posted. That’s with no fringes, and the cost of living there is very close to Hawaii’s. The government has re-surveyed the wages there but has yet to post the new rates—let’s hope it’s higher. I will keep you abreast of the situation as we know more.
REMINDERSYour Amer ican Income Li fe
Insurance Cards were mailed to you last month. Don’t forget to sign the cards and return it to get your free $3,500 accidental death benefit.
We will be holding a canned goods drive for our members that are out of work. Bring in your canned goods and non-per-ishable items to the next Union meeting in November, or you can drop them off to Kimberly Lehano’s office located on the 3rd floor in the Administrative office.
The General Election is on November 2nd, so please get out and vote. Polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
ENDING OF ELECTION 2010
November 2nd will end our 2010
Election Year and “Oh what a year it’s been” so far. With the Primary
over and the General coming up, we need to keep the momentum going. We must not let up, and remember to get out and vote on November 2nd. Neil Abercrombie has continued to lead in the polls but it is very close. Like in the Primary, we need to come out and show that we all believe that Abercrombie can lead this State and put us back to work.
In the First Congressional District, Colleen Hanabusa is leading Charles Djou, despite his slanderous commercials. Djou's short term in Congress shows that he is not voting for what the people in Hawaii want, but what his Republican Party wants. How soon he forgets whom he represents.
We also need to get our candidates elected in other close races, including: Richard Turbin in Honolulu City Council District 4 (Waikiki, Waialae, Hawaii Kai), Pohai Ryan in State Senate District 25 (Kailua – Hawaii Kai), Ty Cullen in State House District 41 (Waipahu – Waikele), Jason Bradshaw in State House District 43 (Ewa Beach – Puuloa), and Alan Arakawa for Maui County Mayor.
MEDICAL CHANGEStarting January 1, 2011 the Hawaii
Electricians Health & Welfare Fund will be moving from HMA to HMAA. Prescription drugs will be filled by CVS Pharmacy (Longs Drugs). The Health Care Reform Act required us to make some changes to our policies. Our $350,000 annual cap will increase to $750,000, which includes prescriptions, formerly capped at $3,000. We will also raise the dependent coverage age from 23 to 26, so be sure to re-register your personal history cards with us for the changes. These changes will have a financial impact on our Health & Welfare Trust Fund. We need to maintain our health, take our physicals, and exercise daily. Let’s stay healthy for your family’s sake.
GUAM UPDATENational Building & Construction
Trades Council President Mark Ayers recently chose Hawaii Plumbers Union Business Manager Reggie Castanares and I to to meet in Guam with the Navy's
By Damien KimBusiness Manager–Financial Secretary
IBEW HAWAII is the official publication of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1186, AFL-CIO, 1935 Hau Street, Room 401, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819, Phone (808) 847-5341.
Damien Kim Business Manager-Financial Secretary
Peter Akamu President / Assistant Business Manager
(Telecommunications)
Tracy Hayashi Vice President / Assistant Business Manager
(Construction)
Dennis Kaloi Recording Secretary / Organizer / Compliance
(Construction)
Michael Tanaka Treasurer
John Nash Executive Board - Unit 1
Terry Uyehara Executive Board - Unit 1
Scot Ah Yuen Executive Board - Unit 2
Alan Kimoto Executive Board - Unit 2
Dalmas Jones Executive Board - At Large
Eric Okazaki Executive Board - At Large
Keith Yamashiro Executive Board - At Large
Leonard Egdamin Referral Agent (Construction)
Donn dela Cruz Business Representative (Big Island)
Ray Shimabuku Business Representative (Maui)
Richard Jose Business Representative (Kauai)
Ron Henderson Business Representative (Telecommunications)
Jon Carroll Business Representative (Federal Sector Unit 2)
Brian Lee Research & Communications Director
Examining Board
William Chang
Don Minatoya
Lyle Miyahira
Eli Tangonan
Brian Uyeno
ON THE COVER: Local 1186 families enjoy Union Picnics held over the summer on Oahu, Kona, Maui, and Kauai.
STATE OF THE UNION
Business Manager’s Message
". . . we want to help the Guam gov-
ernment to train their workers . . . ."
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Project Labor Agreements Make a Federal Case
Work is continuing on the Prince Kuhio Federal Building on Punchbowl and Ala Moana Boulevard. The phased project is estimated to eventually cost $121 million and employ over 200 construction workers over the duration of the four-year project.
While construction signage points out the project is being paid for by stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, most people are not aware the project is being built under a Union nego-tiated Project Labor Agreement (PLA).
With the help of President Obama and United States Senator Danie l Inouye , the Hawaii Building and Construction Trades unions quietly negoti-ated a PLA with general contractor Swinerton Builders that ensures all the work would be done only by union signatory contractors, subcontrac-tors and with union labor.
These special PLA contracts, which have been supported by the U.S. Supreme Court, ensure a steady work force on long-term projects and prevent labor disruptions
on important large projects with critical deadlines.
In recent years, projects in Hawaii covered by PLA's included hospital work, the Honolulu Rail Transit Project, Hunt/Actus/Forest City military housing projects, Kamehameha Schools' Kakaako redevel-
opments, and DR Horton-Schuler Homes residential subdivision projects, to name a few. Billions of dollars in large-scale con-struction projects have taken advantage of
PLAs to deliver win-win contracts for land owners, developers, labor unions, and con-struction craftspersons in Hawaii.
The Hawaii Building & Construction Trades Council (HBCTC) has been at the forefront of all the PLAs negotiated in Hawaii, and your IBEW Local 1186 Business Manager-Financial Secretary
Damien Kim , who is also the current HBCTC Financial Secretary, has been instrumental in review-ing and approving contract language for all the recent Project Labor Agreements in Hawaii.
T h e s e a g r e e m e n t s ensure that all these large current and future construc-tion projects will be done by electrical contractors signatory to Local 1186 and employing Local 1186 members at union pay rates and benefits. To continue to enjoy these contracts and benefits, it is up to us to keep our skills up to date and to deliver the best pos-sible work effort every day.
Please continue to do your part in making Project
Labor Agreements a successful tool to meet the needs of workers, contractors, develop-ers, and government entities in Hawaii for today and tomorrow.
Sitting left: Swinerton Hawaii Division Manager George Ehara and Hawaii Building Trades leaders are all smiles after successfully negotiating a Project Labor Agreement for the Prince Kuhio Federal Building Renovation Project.
Labor Agreement Reached with Schuler Homes
Sitting far right: DR Horton-Schuler Homes President Mike Jones and the Hawaii Building & Construction Trades Council commemorate reaching a Labor Agreement cov-ering over 10,000 homes, including the Hoopili Project on the Ewa Plains. Our Brother Damien Kim, the HBCTC Financial Secretary, is seated on the far left.
The master-planned community of Hoopili on the Ewa Plains was recently approved for go-ahead by the State Land Use Commission and will be built under a long-term Labor Agreement signed between DR Horton-Schuler Homes Hawaii and labor unions from the Hawaii Building & Construction Trades Council.
The Hoopili residential community project consists of several phases covering over 10,000 homes and includes commer-cial projects, community amenities, schools, and health care facilities to be built over 20 years. The project will be developed over 1,500 acres of empty land just west of the Costco in Waipio.
Ho'opili will connect Ewa Beach, Waipahu, Makakilo & Kapolei, and will feature a mix of affordable & market rate homes. There are also plans to tie the proj-ect into Transit Oriented Developments (TOD) and leverage the construction of the planned Honolulu Rail Transit Project run-ning through the area. When the project
starts, the union labor agreement will ensure the work is done by skilled trades work-ers from Hawaii's labor unions, and allow
Schuler to deliver quality homes for Hawaii residents to enjoy for generations to come.
E l e c t r i c i a n s L i c e n s e d f o r S k i l l
With the passage of SB2325 this past legislative session requiring licensed electri-cians and plumbers to visibly display their Journeyman licenses on the job site, IBEW Local 1186 has taken the lead in implementing the new law.
L o c a l 11 8 6 s t a f f draf ted the in i t ia l legal language and worked cooperative-ly with the State Board of Electricians and Plumbers, the Contractors License Board, the Hawaii Plumbers Union, and various legislators and contracting agencies to pass this key legislation into law to help homeowners, government inspectors, and general contractors to enforce the existing state laws requiring licensed electricians and plumbers.
These state laws, which existed to pro-tect public safety and offer consumer
protection, have long required half (50%) of all workers performing electrical or plumbing work to be licensed by the state of Hawaii. This license is a trade worker license required of every indi-
vidual journeyman performing the work on the field, and is in addi-
tion to the contractors license required for the company
to operate in the state of Hawaii.
S B 2 3 2 5 w a s drafted by Local 1186 to he lp
make it easy for homeowners and gov-
ernment enforcement agencies to quickly identify worker com-pliance with existing state laws, which previously had been dif-ficult to enforce.
Just like how simply working at a doc-tor's office doesn't mean a secretary in the office can operate or prescribe medi-
cine, or just as not everyone working for an airline is authorized to fly an airplane, the Hawaii electrical and plumbing jour-neyman is conveyed a special authority.
The visible license requirement proves he or she has passed the state-admin-istered test which permits him or her to safely perform complex and danger-ous electrical work in Hawaii.
Please do your part to protect your craft and the safety of the public by taking the lead in following the new state law. Always visibly wear your license on the job site or you may be cited. Local 1186 staff has been visiting job sites and contractor shops as permitted, but if you have not gotten your badge holder
(clip on or armband) or laminated your license, stop by the Union office on your island and get it done. SB2325 / Act 28 was signed into law effective April 2010.
Don't Get Left Off the Group List
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Sign Up for Your Free IBEW Local 1186 Group E-Mail List Today.
If you are not one of the hundreds of mem-bers already signed up to the Local 1186 List, you are missing out on a lot!
News happens too fast for snail mail today. Recent messages include free Hawaii Theatre concerts and football tickets, Bishop Museum picnic events, TV shows and news flashes about your Union, invi-tations to fundraiser events, and special member offers.
Send Your Full Name and E-mail to [email protected] to Sign Up. (For 1186 members only, please send your per-sonal e-mail address.)
IBEW Helps Make Kauai Retrofit at St. Theresa School a Real ity
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After being plagued by rising electrical energy costs, St. Theresa Principal of School Mrs. Mary Jean Buza Sims and Maintenance Chairperson Matt Taeza requested information from Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) to help with rising energy costs. On the request for help, KIUC’s Energy Wise Program director Paul Daniels came out to the school to give some consultation, and to help make suggestions on what the school needed to do to be more energy efficient.
Mr. Daniels suggested a pro-gram in which the school as a non-profit would possibly qualify for a grant that KIUC sponsors to help pay for a percentage of the costs of energy retrofit projects. After taking a look at the school's power needs, Daniels recommended sev-eral retrofit suggestions by show-ing a graph on the types of bulbs and ballasts needed, and the costs of each retrofit project. The graphs indicated that the most expensive solution, a $30,000 L.E.D. bulb retrofit, was the best solution for the ongoing energy problem.
That’s when I received a call from Principal Mary Jean and the maintenance committee requesting my recommendation on the dif-ferent retrofit solutions. After discussions on the different retrofit projects, the decision was made to go with the L.E.D. selection because the IBEW could help with the coordination and manpower needs to do the job and see it to its completion. With that recom-mendation, the Principal, Committee, and Church agreed to work to secure the KIUC grant and proceed with the project.
The retrofit project started in July and continued for three full weekends of Saturdays and Sundays. The job that was done required rewiring and relamping about 350 existing four-foot fix-tures. The new technology L.E.D. bulbs presented a new challenge for even the 1186 volunteers, because these fixtures needed to be rewired at the sockets to direct 110 volts to the bulbs, and the bal-lasts are bypassed and are not required. After the last work day was
completed and every light tested, the staff of St. Theresa thanked all the volunteers and provided lunch and drinks for everyone. The school principal recognized the importance of having QUALIFIED ELECTRICIANS from 1186 on the project. As a token of the school's appreciation they let me fly our IBEW Local 1186 banner to show our commitment to volun-teering for community projects.
I’d personally like to thank our members that volunteered their time and helped me with this most important community proj-ect. Brothers Alfred, Albert, Marlo, and Justin. Also I’d like to mention the maintenance staff that did a really great job: Matt Taeza, Robert, and Uncle Bill,
who raved, "the project was completely accomplished by the loving generosity of the island people! Hallelujah! So once again many, many thanks to you and your crew in making a dream come true! Mahalo and God's Richest Blessings be with you all."
Richard JoseKauai Business Representative
Last year, for Labor's Summer Community Services project, back-pack hangers were installed on outside walls of Waihee School classrooms. This year repainting stall lines in three parking lots (and at the drop-off area) was top priority on Waihee School's wish list. The other tasks were to repaint the handicap stall logos and stencil each stall with "VISITOR" or "RESERVED" markings. Labor came through again to make Waihee School's wish a reality come true.
Volunteers representing several unions gathered bright and early at 7:00 a.m. near the office of Waihee School in late August. As they patiently waited for the leaf blowers to quit, signaling the finish of that phase of the job, everyone enjoyed breakfast edibles provided by Labor's Community Services. Then each person picked up a roller, a paint brush, a paint tray, a template, or a broom, and went straight to work painting diligently until the job was done.
We overheard the Principal say its been six to eight years since the parking lot lines had been repainted . . . Well, it looked it! When the painting was completed, the lots looked crisp, fresh, and a sight to be proud of.
Big mahalos to all who came out to help. We also appreciated Waihee School for their hospitality and for providing bento lunches to our volunteers.Lena Staton Ray ShimabukuAFL-CIO Community Maui Business RepresentativeService Liaison
I s l a n d C i r c u i t s
L-R: Matt Taeza, Richard Jose, Robert Sims, Alfred Cacatian, Albert Zamora, Justin Kashiwabara, and Marlo Caoagas.
Maui's Waihee School Parking Lot No Longer Stalled
L-R: Wela Hewahewa, Paul Whittemore and Cody Watanabe.
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Hawaii Electr ic ians Training OfficeKauai & Big Island Graduates Make the Grade
KAUAI GRADU-ATING CLASS
Kauai, Hawaii — The Kauai Graduation for the Inside Wireperson Apprent iceship Class of 2009 was held at the Sheraton Kauai Resort in Poipu Beach recently, with live music by Shilo Pa. This event marked a new stage in these men’s lives, as they have undergone f ive years of vigorous schooling in order to graduate from an Apprenticeship Program which demands commit-ment, quick thinking, dexterity, strength and more much. The Kauai apprentice-
ship graduates stand-out because they are humble and hard-working; repre-senting the kind of workers and indi-viduals who give their very best despite being faced with difficult tasks and deci-sions.
Kauai Business Representative Richard Jose spoke highly of the graduates, “Each individual was pushed to the test and faced numerous challenges in this industry in the toughest economic times I have seen . . . these apprentices will be the new leaders of our ever-chang-ing industry.” Keynote speaker, Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho, Jr., expressed his appreciation for LU 1186 as one of the first unions to come forward in support of him when he ran for Mayor. He gave an inspiring speech of encouragement which shed positive light on the future of Kauai in regards to projects which will open opportunities in the electrical field. “We’re going to need all of you because signs show that the economy will be getting better . . . Our county will be put-
ting out more than forty million dollars in capital improvement projects over the next year . . . projects include installa-tion of new playgrounds and park equip-ment, road resurfacing, waste water facility upgrades, neighborhood center improvements, lining retrofits and much more.”
The graduates, one-by-one, were called to the front of the stage to accept their diplomas. The smiles on their faces and laughter amongst them spread a warm feeling throughout the lively event hall. Peter Akamu, President of LU 1186, summed the event up wonderfully when he said, “Apprentices today are clos-ing one chapter of the book of life and opening another new chapter - and with that new chapter comes independence, responsibilities and a lot more learning.”
BIG ISLAND GRADUATING CLASS
The Big Island Inside Wireperson Apprenticeship graduation for the class of 2009 was held on recently at the
Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Live music was provided by Na Moku, a group of three highly recommended local musicians whose debut album will be coming out in a few months. The entire graduating class attended the ceremony, exemplify-ing their zeal for participation and atten-dance. The banquet room was beau-tifully decorated - from the intricately arranged exotic fruit platter to the color-ful orchid arrangements set as center-pieces at each table. Lunch was a gran-diose buffet of seared mahi mahi, fresh island greens, pork chops and chicken katsu followed by a delicious array of desserts like blueberry cheesecake and pecan pie.
However, the highlight of the celebration was the graduating class - a class which has shown remarkable dedication and persistence throughout the five years they have been a part of the apprentice-ship program. Classes are held at the Hilo Community College campus every Saturday for eight months out of the year. Apprentices who live in Kona drive almost four hours roundtrip to Hilo to attend classes on these days. Despite this commute, this apprenticeship class has a history of almost 100% attendance which truly shows their dedication and determination.
Kauai Graduates, front L-R: Alan Matsumoto, Raym Jerves, Shiler Sugimura, Duane Curammeng; back row L-R: Marlo Caoagas, Justin Kashiwabara, Travis Sumida, Alapai Schrader, and JATC Sub-Committee Members Ronald Sakoda & Ralph Tokuda.
(Continued on page 7)
Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho congratu-lates the IBEW Graduates with Local 1186 Business Manager Damien Kim.
Big Island State Senator Dwight Takamine joins Brother Kim in celebrating the accomplishments of the recent graduates.
The Kauai Graduates take the stage to receive their recognition.
The Big Island Graduates celebrate their achievements with the support of their families.
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Answer: Building framing members are not permitted as the equipment grounding conductor for A.C. equipment per Section 250.136(A).
TECH TALKIn the below picture, is the structural metal building able to be used as an equipment grounding conductor as shown?
IBEW Local 1186 will once again be doing our share of community service and donations to needy members and families in the com-munity.
In addition to canned goods and other non-perishable items, we are asking for unwanted, but gently used toys, books, and other chil-dren’s gifts.
Please contact Kim Lehano at 846-2323 or [email protected]
Union Plus ScholarshipsDeadline: January 31, 2011
www.unionplus.org/college-education-financing/union-plus-scholarship
Sign up for Training Classes on Your Island & More!
www.hawaiielectricianstraining.org
New Training Website
These young graduates seem to under-stand that the steps they have been tak-ing during these past five years, despite the hard economic times, have amount-
ed to a future full of new and more expansive possibilities. Peter Akamu, President & Assistant Business Manager for LU 1186, echoed this sentiment when
he spoke these words: “Learning real ly does open the door to other opportunities.” Keynote speaker, State Senator Dwight Takamine, who has been in the legislature since 1984 and whose father was involved in the ILWU, also spoke of the important tools that learning provides: “This apprenticeship program - what does that mean? It means that you have more knowledge than you did before, it means that
you have a higher level of skills than you did before, it means what you have, your capacity, is more marketable. You have more value and that means that you can provide more to your loved ones - plain and simple.”
These graduation ceremonies were truly unique in the depth of support by loved ones and the close-knit struc-ture of these apprenticeship classes. Congratulations and best of luck in the future to the Kauai and Hawaii Class of 2009 Inside Wireperson Apprenticeship Graduates. We look forward to hearing from you in the future and seeing the extent of your hard-earned knowledge in action.
Mimi SroatHawaii Electricians Training Fund
K a u a i & B i g I s l a n d G r a d u a t e s (Continued from page 6)
Big Island Graduates, L-R: James Sonognini, Ben Bautista, Jr., Abraham Guerra, III, Owen Kaneshiro, Matthew Wilson, Randal Mamac, and La’amai Pokipala.
LOCAL UNION 1186, IBEW1935 Hau Street, Room 401Honolulu, Hawaii 96819
Staying Connected
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
LU 1186, IBEW Office Honolulu . . . . . . . . . . . . 847-5341
Hilo Office. . . . . . . . . . . 961-6444 Maui Office . . . . . . . . . . 244-8002 Kauai Office . . . . . . . . . 245-7840
Hawaii ElectriciansAdministrative Office . . . 841-6169 Health & Welfare,
Pension, Annuity, SUB, Vacation & Holiday, General Education, Prepaid Legal
Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . 847-0629Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . 848-1599*Neighbor Islands call toll-free 1-800-622-3830Attention: In our effort to keep our members well informed, we would appreciate your cooperation in notifying us of any change of address. Please call the Union Office at 847-5341 to report any change.
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NOVEMBER OAHU MEETINGS WEDNESDAY
Unit 2 Executive Committee
Room 2025:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Unit 2 Membership (Federal Sector)
Room 2025:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Unit 1 Executive Committee
Room 2024:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Unit 1 Membership (Private Ind.)
Room 2025:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
LU 1186 Executive Board
Fifth Floor4:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
LU 1186 General Membership
Room 2026:00 p.m.
DECEMBER OAHU MEETINGS WEDNESDAY
Unit 2 Executive Committee
Room 2025:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Unit 2 Membership (Federal Sector)
Room 2025:30 p.m.
THURSDAY
Unit 1 Executive Committee
Room 2024:30 p.m.
THURSDAY
Unit 1 Membership (Private Ind.)
Room 2025:00 p.m.
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WEDNESDAY
LU 1186 Executive Board
Fifth Floor4:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
LU 1186 General Membership
Room 2026:00 p.m.
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In MemoriamOur deepest sympathies and condolences are conveyed to the families of the following members who recently passed away:
Donald D. Buell • Danny M. Kato, Jr. • Ray H. Kawaguchi • Bruce J. Nishihara • Jeff W. Tyler
www.hawaiielectricians.com
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Nonprofit OrganizationUS Postage
PAIDHonolulu, HawaiiPermit No. 719
M a u i , B i g I s l a n d a n d K a u a i M e e t i n g D a t e s
KONA: December 2, 2010Thurs. 5:00 p.m., OTEC Gateway Center
HILO: December 7, 2010Tuesday, 5:00 p.m., HCC Cafeteria
KAUAI: December 14, 2010Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., KCC Dining Hall
MAUI: December 16, 2010Thursday, 4:30 p.m., Maui Office
Welcome Our New IBEW Contractors
CH Electric, Inc. • CSI Electric, Inc.
