President's Page - IBEW 2034 Local Union

Hello Brothers and Sisters,

I would like to express my appreciation to all the brothers and sisters that supported me in the recent election. I would also like to thank all members that express an interest in our union and apologize for the delay in posting this message. For those of you who are unaware, the President�s position with the union is no longer on a full time basis. My full time duties are still with Manitoba Hydro. I am currently at the Fort Garry District office working the M3T3 position in the streetlight group and so I kindly ask for your patience when contacting me and requesting a response.

My responsibilities as President include enforcing the IBEW Constitution and Local Union By-laws, appointing representatives (members) of IBEW 2034 to various committees that affect our membership and ensuring that all business at the Executive Board meetings are conducted in an orderly fashion. The day to day business of the local union is handled by Mike Velie, Business Manager and his local union staff. Accordingly, requests of this nature should be directed to the local union office.

With winter almost upon us once again, I would like to take this opportunity to offer some reminders to help you prepare for the inevitable winter road conditions ahead. Hazardous conditions such as sudden snowstorms, freezing rain, sleet, and the dreaded black ice can wreak havoc with working conditions, commuting, and even travel plans. Accidents are prevalent and you can be caught in your car for an extended amount of time while they are dealt with. It is possible that you might be in an accident or storm yourself and be stranded for a while.

In the winter it is a good idea to have some basic survival gear in your car. Here are a few suggestions of what you may need for survival gear.

2. Traction assistance (Cat litter, sand, or gravel will help to create traction for your tires if you get stuck.)

5. Water (Water is the one thing you cannot live without for more than a couple of days.)

6. Candles and Matches (Unless you have a fire source, you will not be able to melt enough snow to stave off dehydration.)

7. Non perishable food (Having a few items of non-perishable food is a great idea for your winter survival kit. Power bars, crackers, or cans of food (don�t forget the can opener) may save your life if you are stuck for long.)

8. Flashlight (A flashlight is essential so that you can investigate any problems or even signal for help. A shake or crank flashlight in your car that does not need batteries is a good idea.)

9. Emergency Signals (Emergency signals such as very bright or flashing lights or road flares are a great addition to a winter survival kit. If your car goes off the road and snow falls on it, rescuers will not be able to see it unless you have some sort of signal.)

10. Chemical warmers (There are various chemical warmers that are designed for pockets and even seats of sports fans, hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Having some of these in your car will help keep you warmer without using all your gas.)

11. Cell phone (Perhaps the ultimate in winter survival gear is your trusty cell phone. Calling for help, if you can get a signal, may save you from most trouble. Even if you cannot call out, rescuers may be able to pick up faint signals from your cell phone and locate you in that way.)

Finally, I would like to welcome Ken Woodley our new Assistant Business Manager to IBEW 2034. The Executive Board and I are looking forward to working with Ken when he assumes his position next month.