Union Meeting TODAY!

Special Called Meeting on Thursday, May 28, 7pm

Vote on diversion of wage funds.

Total Wage Increases:

6/1/09 - $1.70

6/1/10 - $2.00

6/1/11 - $2.20

Divert from increase each year:

Pension, $0.25

(@6000hrs = $1,500.)

Health & Welfare, $0.20

(@6000hrs = $1,200.)

JATC, $0.05

(@6000hrs = $300.)

(Total @6000hrs = $3,000 per person over three years.)

Come to the meeting to find out details.

OTJ (On the Job) - TORK Timeclock

This past Friday I had the opportunity to wire up my first lighting contactor and TORK digital time clock. We briefly talked about lighting contactors back in Book 4, but standing in front of an empty box and sorting through six different control diagrams trying to make sense of it all is a much more intimidating feat than I had originally imagined it to be, what with the mix of mechanical and electronic components, the mix of 277 and 120 lighting circuits, and the control circuit to boot!

As much practice as we got in the motor control lab at school, and as much as I felt I truly understood those concepts, I must honestly say I did get a little confused trying to interpret the schematics that came with the equipment. Bit by bit however, I did piece it together as best I could, and with just a couple final questions (with some help from Tom Myers) about the override switch inputs, I at least finished wiring the whole thing. Before I get it *hot* you can bet that some preliminary testing shall take place.

I think it's somewhat reassuring that my foreman simply handed me the project and said "I haven't even looked at this in detail yet, so... yeah." Reassuring, in that I suppose he trusts me to get it done. On the other hand, it's also a sort of trial by fire (I hope not literally). I'm just thankful that I have a slew of brains to pick, and plenty of phone numbers to call if ever I need the help. It's not so bad knowing there's this HUGE safety net of people I've met and worked with on the job, not to mention the instructors -- whose lives revolve around us apprentices! Hahahahahahahahaha. Sorry, couldn't help that one.

A Brief History of Me

It seems I always get the same few questions that pop up when they see me on the job for the first time. So I suppose I'll start there.

1) "So... how long have you been doing this?" Well, let's see... I started working as an apprentice in February 2006, so WOW! going on 3+ years. Yeah, it's been a while.

2) "How'd you end up doing this kind of work anyway?" This question always gets me. I seriously wonder if any of my male counter-parts get this question at the rate of occurrence that I do. But I suppose that comes with the territory of choosing this line of work as a woman. Alas, c'est la vie. And in order to remain on friendly terms with the drywall guys or the carpenters, or whomever it is that's making conversation, I give the following spiel: Well, I was remodeling my house some years ago, and I happened to be installing some pendant lights when I realized, 'hey, I could get paid to do this. Yeah, I could do this for 8 hours a day, easy.'

In retrospect, I can say the past 3+ years have blasted past. Honestly, I can't even believe that the end of day school shall soon be upon me. (Not to mention another pay grade!!!! Yeah I can't wait for that. Trust me. Counting down the days.) I'm sure I'll miss being able to say to my foreman, "don't forget, I'm not going to be here on Friday!" And I'll definitely miss hearing the typical response, "Wait, weren't you in school last week?" Haha, haha, haha.

Now I'm eagerly awaiting the release of course offerings for journeyman's classes. I know one class for sure I'd like to take: renewable energies. But more on that later.