January 2020 Connector is out.
We are saddened to report the passing of Phil Luebke Sr. on Saturday January 18, 2020. Phil was a retired from Local 498 in 1978. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Please check the latest newsletter attached. January 2020 Connector
The International has requested feedback from the members on their thoughts on the Presidential Election coming up. I have attached the link below.
https://actionnetwork.org/forms/2020-political-comment-box?clear_id=true&source=direct_link
October Connector is Out!
Check out the latest Connector. There are updated dates for weld tests and pictures from the Pin Party. The party was great and it was awesome to see some of the guys we haven’t seen since they “Pulled the Pin” and retired. There was a lot of reminiscing and chatter all night.
The passing of Ron Meier Union Member and Contractor
It is with a heavy heart Local 498 mourns the passing of Ron Meier who lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday September 18, 2019. Ron was a multi-generational iron worker who became contractor, Advanced Crane Technicians (AACT), that many have worked for in their career.
Ron Meier’s family will be having a Celebration of Life at Williams Tree Farm from 12-7pm October 8, 2019. Come pay your respects to the family for a good Union Man and good Union Contractor.
Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers in the time of need.
Labor Day Parade was a success!!
The Labor Day Parade and float was a huge success for us. We made the front page of the Rockford Register Star and all the news cycles. Anyone who understands labor understands what we were representing. “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper”(September 20, 1932) is such an iconic picture that is seen all over the country and Local 498 knocked it out of the park! Thanks to Paul Kauffman for the work he and the apprentices did on the trailer and float. Thanks to all that rode the float:
Austin Savant, Deshawn Simmons, Seth Fish, Dillon Pontnack, Sharon Anderson, Josh Olson, Emerald Sanders, Garrett Schmidt, Eli Monier, Isai Ruiz, and Garret Johnston. With honorable mention to Haley O’leary who couldn’t ride due to a work injury.
We only won 3rd place in the float contest. I don’t believe that the judges actually recognized the reaction and the significance to the people watching along the parade route.
The July Connector is out!
Check out the news in the local.
IRAP comments are still being encouraged, accepted, and forwarded on to the International. Please take this seriously. Thank you to all those that have taken the time to fill them out and submit them to us.
PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO HELP PROTECT YOUR UNION AND YOUR APPRENTICE PROGRAM.
Your Union and the International needs you to ACT!
I have attached a link to a communication that you will receive from us regarding potential changes in how apprentice programs are governed. You may also have received mailers and read about it in the Ironworker Magazine. They are looking for letters from our membership on the benefits of being in or graduating from a real apprentice program, not some watered down version they would like to change it to. The end result will make it harder for us to compete with the nonunion more than ever.
We are looking for responses from all members including retirees who have seen the most changes in our industry.
PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ IT. IRAP COMMUNICATION (more details are in this)
You can download the comment form and drop it off or mail it to us or come down to the hall and fill it out personally. The other option is to directly email you response to us and we will scan it and send it to the International, which is what they are requiring of us of all the communication we receive on this. The deadline for commenting is August 26th, so please don’t delay.
IRAP Comment Form if you chose to hand write it.
Email your response to iwlocal498@iwlocal498.org
- Subject line should say IRAP RIN 1205-AB85.
- Tell your story on what being part of the certified apprentice program meant or did for you. How the apprentice program changed your life. How you got in, how safe the workplace is, the structured training, and your rights at work. How allowing lower standard IRAPs in the construction Industry would hurt ironworkers like you. Also, you must make sure you address the fact that you believe the construction Industry should be exempt from the IRAP requirements.
- Your name, city, state, book number, and date need to be on it as well
Please if you have questions let us know.
It is imperative we attack this and keep it positive on what the apprentice program means for you and your family.
June 2019 Connector is out!!
The June Connector is out and available. Check out the happenings in and around the local.
Passing of Brother Howard Poland
https://www.helke.com/notices/Howard-Poland
We are saddened to report the passing of Brother Howard Poland Book #204527 on April 30. He had the oldest book in the local. I have attached a link to the funeral home, they will be having a private ceremony but will have Military Honors as World War II Veteran.
