Local Roundup Happy and Barbra Foster with retired members of Local 52 Lunch with Happy and retired members March 2023 51 LOCAL 52 • Norfolk, Virginia Greetings from Local 52. I am writing this month’s journal from a hotel in Richmond, VA, at the VA AFLCIO 36th Legislative Conference. This is my first time attending this conference and the political end of this is new to me so I have a lot to learn. The main objective is to not lose anything labor has gained in the last few years and make new allies for the future. Enough with the politics though. Local 52 is currently fully employed and the bench is empty, but we don’t seem to have any big jobs that I’m aware of coming up soon. Fortunately, modernization work is still steady. Service route mechanics seem to be overwhelmed. It’s hard to cover your route, answer calls, do inspections, do your own small repairs and when someone is off or doing inspections cover that route as well. I hear from a lot of frustrated route mechanics that it is impossible to keep this up. My only good answer is work safely, stay focused on the task at hand and what you can’t get done today will be there tomorrow. Hopefully the companies will see that this isn’t going to work, and the customers catch on to the new lack of true maintenance and demand better service. NEIEP classes started up last month for the apprentices. Make sure you are attending all classes and not falling behind on homework. If you are having problems with anything school-related reach out to your instructor sooner than later. Don’t get behind. Remember to keep up on your DPOR license expiration date. If you need CE classes, you can participate in one of the classes at the hall or online. Attached are some pictures of Happy Foster and other Local 52 retired members. Protect each other and protect our work! Let me know if there are any safety concerns on the job or any prefab that is in question. Text or call 757 685-3993. Local Update: • Union meetings are on the first Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. Dinner will be provided at 5:00. • Apprentice classes and CE will be held at the hall beginning with the fall semester. • Construction and mod, please call and send a text with the location to my cell at the start of each job. A photo of the shipping label works best. • Inspect your pay weekly and bring any errors to my attention as well as to the attention of your supervisor. Investigating and correcting your payment is much easier when it is addressed in a timely manner. Reminders: Union meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. ROMEO IS BACK! The monthly breakfast gathering is the first Thursday of the month at Pancakes and Things and starts at 7:45 a.m. Fraternally, Alex Zion SAFETY starts with YOU LOCAL 52
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