Brothers and Sisters of the VDVS Unit,

First off, Happy New Year!  I hope the holidays and 2009 as a whole were good for you and yours.

Currently, as most of you know, things are still fairly slow going into 2010.  While some members and contractors are struggling to maintain work, others are thriving and very busy.  Many of you have spent your fair share of time unemployed while many of you have been fortunate enough to stay pretty busy.  While niche markets, negotiated contracts and return customers have generated work, the open bid market has been quite slow.

It looks as though 2010 will be challenging for us as well although there are many upcoming projects that will hopefully create some work opportunities for all.  As we start the first quarter we’ll be anxiously awaiting numerous groundbreaking ceremonies to come our way.  If you are one of those that have not been fortunate enough to stay busy please don’t hesitate to contact me and share your story.  Through our great organization and the strength of our brotherhood there may be alternative opportunities that could help you through these days.

We are excited to announce that we are currently organizing the 2^nd Annual VDVS Summit.  It is our intent and hope that we will again host the Summit, this time right here at home in K.C. at Local 124.

Please make a commitment this year to become more active in Local 124.  We have so many opportunities for you to partake in.  Family events, fun filled children activities, sports, picnics…you name it we have it.  There are numerous committee opportunities that you can participate in and truly help shape the future of this local and the VDVS unit.  At the very least do your best to set a number of union meetings to attend in 2010.  Set that number, mark it on the calendar and make it happen.  We have an average of 12 to 20 members at our monthly VDVS unit meeting…. that’s embarrassing to me, and it should be to you!  Are you riding the coat tails of the active members and simply reaping the benefits of your union ticket and what it affords you?  Too many of you simply exist in the work force with little or no interest in your local union.   It’s time for that to change and I challenge you to change it this year, so get off your butt and come to a few meetings!!!!  Don’t be the person I only hear from once every two years when something isn’t going YOUR way.  This is a Brotherhood and it’s not about YOU, it’s about us…all of us. 

VDVS monthly unit meeting – 2^nd Monday of every month @ 5 p.m. in the retirees hall

VDVS Executive Committee meeting – 2^nd Monday of every month @ 6 p.m. in the hall conference room.

IBEW local 124 monthly union meeting – 2nd Wednesday of every month in the main meeting hall.

“Do you carry a union ticket, or does your union ticket carry you?”

Reminder:  The suggestion box is still up and running, so what’s on you’re mind?

Fraternally,

BZ Parscale
Business Representative

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POCKET AGREEMENTS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AND BEING MAILED TO ALL VDVS MEMBERS.

The VDVS unit now has it’s own dedicated information hotline.
This line will be updated daily with job calls and/or other pertinent
information concerning the VDVS unit.

Hotline # (816) 285-8300