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Hi Ken,
It's always nice to hear from experience. The light bulb is the best current limiter I have ever run across in over 30 years of service. You sound like someone who's been in the business for many years. Thank you for your thoughts. I hope the younger generation to which we pass the baton will be as creative.
John

Thank you for that awesome comment. I am considering adding a forum in the future.
The following is my opinion. I hope to stir and make you think!


The more meetings attended the more voices will be heard.
What is done with what is heard is another story.
Membership Numbers, the Economy and Influences are all intertwined.
The membership is much smaller than years ago as many jumped over to the other Local for more money upfront. The remaining membership has aged and companies have not invested in more employees in the past until recently. It may have been cheaper to Dole out over time money to existing workers than to hire and pay into a pension and hospitalization for a new hire. The member numbers need to grow.

The economy is treading water and we are aware that greed played a big roll.
Companies may not hire but fire to keep their numbers viable and profit levels consistent until the economy improves. Is your company invested in other types of business? Doesn’t matter if family or corporate owned. Where are their priorities? Are they investing back into the company? How do they treat the men? How do the workers feel about the company and the future of the industry? You get the picture?

The largest of companies that employ the largest portion of the membership
will have the greatest influence at upcoming negotiations. I have been around along time to hear from
Many of my retired brothers the volatility that crosses the table just to grab some crumbs that fall to the floor. Our representatives have a tough tough time as their job is not an easy one. Their objective is to keep us employed. I'm not sure if they can keep everybody happy but they have kept me employed for 32 years. That says a lot.

There are many skilled trades that require certification such as truckers, butchers,welders,carpenters,electricians,plumbers,tin knockers,etc..
These Blue Collar Jobs pay 75,000 plus. Are we paid fairly for our work? Depends who you talk to!
I believe we are underpaid.
Do you come home from work and find yourself to tired to be there for your family?
Do you struggle to own your own home or are you having trouble making the rent?
Are the carpenters,plumbers,
electricians coming home the same way?
Are they making more money?
These are some of the things you need to think about.

As a final note,
Elevator mechanics in Local 3 have been working during the toughest economic times.We have for the most part always posted few members on the bench.
Is being underpaid all these years a safety net that has kept us employed and the company profits chugging along without breaks?



Elevator mechanics simply bust their asses.
We do not live long into retirement due to years and years of wear and tear.
This is no prize!
We should not have to kill ourselves to work and die to early to enjoy our retirement. We need to work as gentlemen.We should get paid on a scale that is in parity with other Local and similar trades. In this line of work we should all be doing well. If not it is time to speak up. Negotiations are another year away. Get your thoughts down on paper now. More than Nuff said....

Johgn Fellin

Thanky ou Julio,
All newsw comes with the good and bad.
Great to see the membership sprouting back to better numbers.Iwould not bew surprised if the lack of attendance was due to the fact that the men are just being driven to damn hard and they just want to go home to their families at the end of ther day. Something to look into.
John