CARD CHECK ADDRESSED

APRIL 2009
Phil Mussallem of Electical Staffing gave a very informative presentation about how Electrical Contractors should deal with employees and develop strong communications to maintain their merit shops. Phil has 25 years dealing with HR and gave our members a solid hands on presentation communicating with employees. The April meeting marked the third meeting in a row heavily attended by IEC members. Following Phil's presentation, IEC members and Phil discussed the current market in Northwest Indiana and Southern Chicago. Many strategies were discussed regarding marketing and finding work in the region.

REGIONAL HEAD SPEAKS TO MEMBERS

FEBRUARY 2009
Midwest IEC members heard the experience of one of IEC's experts on Merit Shop operations and Union efforts to infiltrate our companies. Card Check was the topic and a record crowd of member and prospective members attended the February meeting in Schereville. The most significant point of Larry's discussion was the importance of communicating with employees. Larry also related some real experiences from St. Louis with unions. Members spent a good amount of time after the presentation discussing implications for their company.

MEMBERS RESPOND TO FLOOD

SEPTEMBER 2008
One of the harshest flooding situations in years caused extensive damage at the south end of Munster following unprecedented storms and the resulting impact of the Little Calumet River and levee breaches in an area of Munster. This area has flooded at various times over 30 years but seldom at this level. According to National Weather Service data, the river's level at the Munster-Hammond border increased from 6.5 feet at midnight August 13 to more than 14 feet by 9 a.m. Saturday, August 16. Flood stage is 12 feet.

Dozen's of IEC members were still working this weekend to restore service to the residents of this hard hit Munster neighborhood. FEMA was still establishing a base in the neighborhood as of Wednesday September 24. IEC Member trucks could be seen throughout the neighborhood which was littered with the remains of extensive flood damage. As end loaders hauled away garbage, many blocks were still closed to all but local travel.

Residents and aid workers could be seen washing down household items that could be saved but most homes had a good portion of their belongings on the curb.

According to Scott Evorik of Evorik Electric, "mostly we've been putting in panels which were ruined by the flooding. In some cases we've got power to the first floor but basements, while empty of water were left until later to be wired properly."
Don Hulsey of Hulsey Electric in Lowell stated that his crews were kept busy most of the week and expected to spend more time in the hard-hit area. Kevin McNulty, Executive Director estimated that anywhere from 6 to 8 IEC members had crews in the neighborhood on Wednesday, September 25. Representatives from Meyers who had crews in the area stated that while progress was slow, "people are starting to get back on their feet but it will be a long process."

Electrical contractors, plumbing and heating as well as flood damage recovering teams were throughout the entire area bracing humidity and long hours. IEC Member Don Hulsey indicated that members were averaging 10-12 homes completed per contractor as the week ending September 26 concluded.

FIRST EVER REGIONAL MEETING

MAY 2008

Midwest IEC President Gary Dykstra and Chapter ED Kevin McNulty attend the first Midwest Region meeting held May 3, 2008 at the St. Louis Chapter. States in the Midwest Region include IL, IN, MI, OH, KY, TN, WI, ND, SD, NE, KS, MN and IA. This was the first Region meeting. Both Gary and Kevin found the meeting helpful and productive.

The meeting was hosted by the St. Louis Chapter which has a very impressive chapter office and training center. [Photos can be seen at the Midwest IEC Photo Site at http://www.flickr.com/photos/midwestiec]. The Regional leaders voted to establish a response team for Chapters facing unique challenges with membership or other issues. The region will also identify those cities where there are no IEC chapters and focus on seeding chapters in those cities in order to grow the Region and the National Organization.

Regional Board Representatives Larry Burmeister (St. Louis) and Mike Kallmeyer (Cincinnati) chaired the meeting. The Midwest Region will meet at least twice per year to assist Chapters in the Midwest and collect feedback from each chapter for National Board consideration.

LARRRY MULLINS SPEAKS

APRIL 2008
A large number of the MIDWEST IEC members attended the monthly Membership Meeting on April 17, 2008 to hear guest speaker Larry Mullins, Executive Director of IEC National. This was the first time Larry had visited the MIDWEST IEC Chapter. Mullins, a native of Chicago, gave an extensive review of the various programs and services available to IEC members. “Members must do more than just pay their dues,” stated Mullins. “Unless members get involved and take advantage of member benefits, they will not fully realize the value of their membership,” said Mullins

Larry was particular in stressing the importance of the industry itself. “You are the backbone of America,” he stated. “When something goes wrong who do they call first - the electrical contractor.” Larry indicated how strong the IEC voice is with Capital Hill since the formation of the IEC PAC. “Regardless of one’s political leanings, financial support of pro-business politicians gives our industry an influential position in Washington DC,” said Mullins.

One significant point made by Mullins was the large number of IEC members on regulatory committees governing the industry. In years past, IEC was in the position to react to the laws and regulations affecting the industry. Today, with IEC member are on key committees and many lead the committees in DC, IEC is shaping the guidelines impacting electrical contractors nationwide.

Following Larry’s presentation, members had the opportunity to network and me Larry one-on-one over dinner served to all attendees. As is the norm, members informally discussed the many challenges in the current housing market which impacts our business. The opportunity to talk to your fellow IEC member and learn what is happening in our local market is one of the most valuable benefits to IEC membership.

“We’re very pleased that Larry could join us for the first time,” stated MIDWEST IEC President Gary Dykstra of D & G Electric in Lynwood

ILLINOIS LICENSE BILL FAILS

MARCH 2008
The Illinois Senate Committee on Licenses failed to pass out of committee a bill that would create licensing in Illinois and establish a board that would have little or no merit shop representation. MIDWEST IEC President Gary Dykstra received word from Senator Gary Dahl that the bill was now a shell bill and would not be passed. Gary wrote the following letter to Senator Dahl regarding the latest attempt to pass licensing with little merit shop representation on the Board of Examiners. Here's Gary's note to Senator Dahl.

"SB 2760 came to my attention yesterday and after an initial review, I see 2 issues that we object to ...

- Why is the Director of the Dept of Labor in charge of appointing the members of the Board of Examiners, when every other trade is regulated by the Dept of Professional Regulation?

- Why does the legislation specify that (3) NECA members (Union Contractors) be appointed to the Board of Examiners? Why doesn't the legislation specify members from IEC or ABC (another merit shop association) as well???

Our past experience as an association, is that when legislation like this is put in place, it is used by the IBEW to deny licenses to non-union contractors. This is in fact what happened to our association members in California.

While we do support State Licensing of Electrical Contractors, we want to see it done fairly, and SB 2760, as written will not insure that the licensing will be administered in a fair manner."

Gary Dykstra
President
MIDWEST IEC

APPRENTICE SIGN-UP BEGINS

APRIL 2008

April is the month to apply for the IEC Fall Apprentice Program. IEC will be receiving applications from interested candidates each Saturday in April at 9:00 a.m.sharp at the IEC Training Center located at 1952 US Highway 41 in Schererville, IN. Applicants should arrive promptly at 9:00 a.m. Following the application process, candidates will be notified via letter in May of their acceptance. If accepted, payment for first semester is due in July and classes start the first Monday following Labor Day. The IEC Apprentice program is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor. PHOTO - IEC's apprentice applicant Russell Alexander applies for Apprentice school April 5 at the MIDWEST IEC Training School.

MULLINS TO SPEAK AT APRIL 2008 MEETING

APRIL 2008
Larry Mullins, National Executive Director of the Independent Electrical Contractors Association will speak at the MIDWEST IEC Chapter meeting to be held at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, April 17th. The meeting will be held at the MIDWEST IEC Chapter Training Center in Schererville.

Mullins will speak to the Chapter about the latest trends impacting merit shop owners and the electrical industry in general. This is the first visit to the MIDWEST CHAPTER by Mullins.

IEC - Get out the Vote Campaign

MARCH 2008
IEC National announced a major "Get-out-the-Vote" last week to encourage all IEC members and their employees to vote for pro-business candidates in the upcoming election. Each member of IEC will soon received payroll stuffers and a poster to be posted in each member company to encourage participation in the upcoming national elections. Members will receive further information from the Government Affairs department of IEC as the election draws nearer.

GREETING MIDWEST IEC MEMBERS

FEBRUARY 2008
This is your new Chapter Blog. I know – for some of you Blogs may seem like something a 16-year old might spend time playing with during the day – but I assure you it can be a valuable tool!

As many of you know, often times, contractors are seeking to either hire additional help, put some of their contractors to work during slow times, borrow a bucket truck from time to time or share work with other contractors to add capacity for certain big jobs. This official MIDWEST IEC Blog is now available and will shortly be listed under the MEMBERS ONLY section of the Chapter Web Site – accessible to MIDWEST IEC Members Only!
In the mean time you can REPLY to a blog entry simply by clicking on “comments” just below the post. Once the Blog is inside the MEMBERS ONLY section you will also be able to post. For now, if you need for Labor, Tools, Work or simply want to post an idea, simply send an email to me at kevin@midwestiec.com and I will post your Blog.
Have questions? Feel free to call me at 219-226-0954.

Kevin McNulty
Chapter ED

MIDWEST IEC ESTABLISHES WEBSITE

FEBRUARY 2008
The new Midwest IEC website can now be viewed at midwestiec.com. This blog will be linked to the web site next week under the Members Only section. Contractors can use it to post needs, questions or opportunities. Look for continuous updates and also the ability to "subscribe" to the blog so you get an email when a blog is posted - eliminating the regular need to check the site. Other sections will have added graphics and continuous updates.