Local Roundup “Retiree of the Month” Mark (Marv) Sievert receiving his Gold Card January Retirees’ Breakfast (Note: Time changed from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.) LOCAL 31 March 2023 43 “Retiree of the Month” Mark (Marv) Sievert Wow! I was surprised when I heard that Marv retired. Even though he had about 34 actual years in the trade it didn’t seem that long. Must have something to do with “time flies when you’re having fun.” Exactly how or why Mark was given the nickname Marv is beyond my imagination. All I know for sure is that it was given to him by Mike Clark and Dave Lenz. That name stuck with him throughout his entire career. When Marv first got into the trade a lot of us were kind of mean to him by teasing him a bit. For the first few years he was very well natured in taking all that we gave him. Well, that all changed in a heartbeat one day when an anonymous person crossed the line with a prank they pulled on him at the Oakview Mall job. I know this because I was there. Marv went from this timid little submissive guy to the guy you DO NOT want to mess with. That was also the day he created one of his signature comments, “Blank you, guys”! I could go on and on with some good Marv stories, but I’m about out of room. Marv retired February 24, 2022. Enjoy your retirement, Marv. Next Retirees’ Breakfast will be Friday, March 24, 2023, 7:00 a.m. at the Hy-Vee on 78th & Cass. Everyone is welcome to attend. Fraternally yours, Kenny (Old Hippy) Talcott Contact me at kennyjt@cox.net, 712-545-9074 (home), 402-680-9433 (cell) LOCAL 31 • Houston, Texas Howdy from Houston. March is a great month because the winter weather begins to recede, and the earth can begin its rebirth in the coming spring. I, for one, am ready for this cold weather to be gone. Bring on the heat! Work along the Gulf Coast has remained about the same. Local 31 has a little more than a dozen mechanics on the out-of-work list, but no apprentices, which is a little silver lining if nothing else. Our last union meeting was short and sweet, with business being conducted smoothly and efficiently. This sounds like a good thing, but I wish it had been a little more chaotic. Let me explain. We only had 26 members on the books at the last meeting, in addition to one retiree and one probationary apprentice. I don’t know why I let it but that really bothers me. I know we all have gripes about work, whether it be about the company, the job site, or even the union itself, but unless we come together to communicate and work to try to change things, nothing will ever get better. With over 600 members in our local, I would hope we could at least get 10% of the membership to show up one evening out of the month. After this article comes out it’ll be that time again to pay up for the new union card. When it comes to paying dues, the cost can be broken down in many ways, but this is how I look at it: A card covers you for three months, or a quarter of the year. Take the cost of your card and break it down by your continued on next page
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