The Wisconsin Laborer Winter 2000

Locals get into holiday spirit

Across the state, Laborer Local unions will express their holiday spirit in ways ranging from special membership meetings and banquets, to stocking local food pantries and helping the less fortunate in their communities.

This year, as in past years, a holiday tradition continues at Laborers’ Local #237 in Kenosha as it hosts its annual Kids Visit With Santa, at the Local Union Hall. All members’ children, ages 12 years old or younger, will be treated to gift certificates from area businesses that use signatory contractors for remodeling or new construction work.

In addition to gift certificates, children and their parents are treated to refreshments and an assortment of holiday snacks, including apples, oranges, chocolates, popcorn balls, candy cane, juices and cakes.

Local Business Manager Steve Reimer will once again play Santa to over one hundred kids – and kids at heart – throughout the afternoon.

Laborers’ Local 113 in Milwaukee is expecting 300 members at its December meeting for the Local’s annual holiday feast. The Local is planning to give away 125 ham certificates and another 50 - $25 gift certificates to members attending the event. Members attending the meeting are asked to bring can goods to be collected and delivered to three area food pantries.

In Eau Claire, Local #317 will give away 100 gift certificates and use donations collected during the December meeting to buy non-perishable food and deliver the items to pantries and shelters in every county in its jurisdiction.

Madison Local #464 follows last month’s Thanksgiving raffle of 75 - $25 gift certificates at Kohls food with another this month for members attending its December meeting.

Over 20 members of Laborers’ Local #539 have signed on as Salvation Army bell-ringers at Cub Foods East and West in Green Bay this month. This year, the local had more volunteers than slots to fill in its traditional two weekend commitment, so members accepted times with other unions’ shifts during the annual funding drive.

Local #539 is also making it easy for members to attend holiday banquets this year, hosting events for members and guests in both Marrinette and Green Bay.

Local #931 in Appleton is also hosting two holiday parties. The Local is expecting 250 members and spouses to attend an event in Appleton and another 150 members and spouses at a similar event in Stevens Point. The Local is also planning to donate money and food to needy families in the area.

In Superior, a dozen members have volunteered for shifts as bell-ringers for the Salvation Army at area malls and at the all union built Menards in Superior. The Local also is collecting donations for area food pantries this season. For members, the local will host holiday parties this year in Ashland on December 2 and Superior on December 16.

Fond du Lac Local #1086 will once again mail Turkey Certificates to all members this holiday season. The certificates are good at the local all union Piggle Wiggly store. It also makes an annual gift to the area Salvation Army through the local Labor Council.

And, in addition to its annual holiday party for members and guests – which has grown so large over the years that this year’s event will be held at the Mead Inn – Local #1407 in Wisconsin Rapids is once again the host of that community’s "Share and Care" tree at the local union hall. "Share and Care" is sponsored by local labor, business and community organizations as a way to identify and support families in need during the holiday season, with food, clothing, presents and, yes, even Christmas trees.

Union, work continue to grow

by Mike Ryan

The longest period of sustained economic expansion in our nation’s history continues to benefit the construction industry and this union as membership grew in 2000 for the fifth consecutive year.

Statewide, membership through September was up 3%, some 223 more members than over the same period last year.

During that same time, the number of reported hours worked also ran over 4% higher than the previous year. Between November 1999 and October 2000, laborers performed nearly 9.8 million hours of work on public and private construction projects across the state.

Obviously, gains in membership and job opportunities come as good news to us all. The Laborers’ Health and Pension funds are strengthened because of this sustained growth. As a result, and despite soaring health care costs, Trustees to the Wisconsin Laborers’ Health Fund are anticipating only modest cost increases in the coming year.

However, gains in membership and job opportunities, and the resulting growing strength of our union and membership programs must not lull us into a state of complacency. On the contrary, a closer look at membership trends reveals some real challenges facing a union that is eager to grow and improve membership programs and services.

While it is true that we experienced a net gain in membership over the past twelve months, it is also true that during that time 1,852 new initiates were brought into the union. In other words, to grow the union 4 percent last year required an influx of nearly 25 percent new members. Over the past year over 1600 workers did not return as laborers. And, while some of those numbers are retirees, they represent an overall attrition rate among members of 20.5 percent.

As recently as 1996 the mean years of experience for laborers by entry date into the union was just over 5 years. In four short years that number has shrunk to a little more than 3.5 years.

These figures clearly illustrate the need to focus our attention on organizing and recruiting new members in order to maintain the core membership base we need if we hope to impact the union labor market supply necessary to negotiate future agreements. We will be working more closely with local unions to explore and facilitate organizing opportunities. We will also look to partner with other groups and organizations in an effort to promote careers in the union construction industry to a wider audience.

These figures also illustrate the need to improve training access and promote training opportunities to all of our members. Last year, Wisconsin Laborers opened the Southeast Satellite Training Center for that very purpose. This year, we intend to formally implement a Laborers’ Apprenticeship Program to further ensure our ability to provide signatory employers with the safest and most productive workforce.

With many economists predicting a recession next year, we must also do more to promote responsible economic development and job growth in our state. For years, we have recognized the importance of a strong transportation infrastructure for our state and nation’s economy. We must also recognize the critical role affordable and reliable energy plays in sustaining and growing an economy that ultimately creates the jobs we all need to survive – especially in construction. We know that construction workers are the first to suffer and the last to recover from the effects of any recession. For that reason, we need to work hard to ensure that our growing demand for energy is adequately met.

This past year has been a good year for Laborers. I am confident that as we continue to meet the challenge, our work and union will continue to grow.

Labor History

"Right-to-WorkCommittee", Heston, defeat ban on striker replacements

Most union members missed the irony when NRA President Charlton Heston came to Wisconsin to headline "Vote Freedom First" rallies in Green Bay and Waukesha. Touting his union status, the award winning actor and past President of the Screen Actors Guild urged union members in attendance to ignore union leadership and vote single-issue in the Presidential race.

Absent from Heston’s appeal was any mention of the crucial roll he played, on behalf of the National Right to Work Committee in 1994, in defeating legislation that would have finally stopped companies from hiring permanent striker replacements.

President Ronald Reagan’s decision in 1982 to fire and permanently replace striking members of the air traffic controller’s union, had given employers the green light to permanently replace their striking workers. Throughout the 1980’s workers voting to exercise their lawful right to strike over economic conditions were increasingly frustrated by the prospect of not returning to work when the strike was over. For workers forced to face that dilemma, the right to strike had become, for all practical purposes, the right to lose a job.

It was within this environment that in 1991, the House of Representatives, by a sizable 247-182 majority, passed a striker replacement bill outlawing the permanent replacement of striking workers.

The measure also enjoyed majority support in the US Senate, but supporters lacked the 60 votes needed to end a Senate filibuster. While the threat of a filibuster was more than enough to stop the bill’s passage, supporters also knew that even if passed, then President George Bush was expected to veto the bill when it reached his desk. The measure never came to a vote in the Senate.

Things changed in 1992. With the election of Bill Clinton and a gain of pro-labor Senate seats, many were expecting a striker replacement bill to finally pass both houses and be signed into law. By an again comfortable 239-190 margin a new striker replacement bill passed the House.

This time when the bill came to the Senate, supporters had lined up 59 votes to end the promised filibuster on the Senate floor. The bill that would once more restore some meaning to a workers’ right to strike was now within one vote of becoming law.

That’s when the National Right to Work Committee stepped in, calling upon "old friend" Charlton Heston to make their point to potentially wayward Senators.

Heston, along with Reed Larson, National Right to Work Committee President, lined up support in the Senate for the filibuster, then held a news conference to unveil a $100,000 ad campaign, starring Heston, which the Committee promised "would take aim at as many as 13 fence-sitting senators."

In all, Heston was featured in 27 TV and radio ads. The Committee took the ads on the road, hosting media tours in Arkansas, Tennessee, Nevada, Nebraska, Virginia, Alabama and Arizona, designed to weaken the resolve of waffling senators in those key states.

By late spring, 1994, the effectiveness of the Heston ads and the National Right to Work Committee campaign had become painfully clear. On two occasions, a majority of Senators voted to end the filibuster, but failed to secure the necessary votes. The measure eventually died in the Senate – merely one procedural vote short of passing.

The election in the fall of 1994 has come to be known as the "Republican Revolution," for the way it drastically changed the composition of Congress.

That failed vote in the Senate represents the last time any bill to ban the permanent replacement of striking workers has ever been considered.

Wisconsin Labor History Society Essay Contest

Cash prizes for high school students

Sponsored by the Wisconsin Labor History Society for Wisconsin high school students, grades 9-12.

The stories of workers and their unions deserve to be told. It is essential that the values and experiences of labor – both victories and defeats – be passed from generation to the next. To that end, the Wisconsin Labor History Society is again sponsoring an essay contest for high school students to help young people more fully explore and understand the influence unions have had on their families, friends and/or community.

This year’s contest asks students to write on one of the following themes:

1. "Unions have been important to my family and my community because . . ."

2. "How work experiences have shaped the life of my family or of my neighbors."

Union members – Urge your high school age children, grandchildren, nephews, or nieces to participate. Discuss with them what unions and the labor movement have meant for you and your family. Talk about your involvement – or that of your family members – in a labor event or with a union action. Urge their teachers and schools to participate in the contest.

Students – Ask your parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles, or those of your friends, what labor union membership and activities have meant to them and their families. Then write what you have learned.

These prizes will be awarded:

First Prize $500

Second Prize $300

Third Prize $200

Honorable Mention (up to 5) $100

Rules: Essays should be approximately 750 words in length. They will be judged on understanding, evidence of original research, writing style and significance. Essays must be typed, double-spaced, on white paper. Two copies must be submitted (one may be a photo-copy). Please be sure to provide the following information on a cover sheet: your name, address and home telephone number; your grade in school, name and address of your school; and, if you were encouraged or assisted by a teacher, the teachers name. (Also, list your family’s union membership, if applicable.)

If you have any questions, please contact Victor Greene (414-229-3965) or Paul Cigler (920) 734-2371.

Send completed essay to: Joanne Ricca, Wisconsin Labor History Society, 6333 W. Bluemound Road, Milwaukee, WI 53213.

The Wisconsin Laborer recognized by ILCA

The Wisconsin Laborer newsletter was recognized by the International Labor Communications Association for its writing on Labor History at the group’s annual awards luncheon and conference in November.

The Wisconsin Laborer received First Award and Second Award for Best Series Concerning Labor History, and Second Award for Best Institutional Profile.

What do you know?

The political balance of power is tilted in favor of corporations, and it’s getting worse. In 1992, corporate interests out spent labor by a ratio of 9-to-1. Through October 1, 2000, based on filings with the Federal Election Commission, the gap that corporations outspend unions had grown to:

a) 11-to-1

b) 12-to-1

c) 13-to-1

d) 14-to-1

e) 15-to-1

What do you know – the answer is "e"

That’s right – according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission, corporate interests have spent more than $841 million on political contributions in the 2000 election cycle – 15 times more than unions. While these corporate political contributions have skyrocketed 88 percent since 1992, union contributions have risen by 17 percent over that same period.

In soft money contributions, the gap between corporate contributions and union contributions is even wider. To date, corporations have given about 17 times as much in 2000 as have unions.

A look at one industry – pharmaceuticals and its interest in stopping legislation that would control drug costs – shows at least a 463 percent increase in soft money contributions from $2.2 million in 1992 to over 10.3 million through October of 2000.

Source: National AFL-CIO, Labor 2000

Laborers lose brother, friend

It is with great sadness that the Laborers’ District Council announces the passing of Local #113 Field Rep. and union activist Russell K. "Russ" Leaman, who died unexpectedly September 28 in Greendale.

Russ joined the Laborers in August of 1966, became Field Rep. in 1988 and served from 1990 as Delegate to the Laborers’ District Council.

As delegate to the Council, Russ was made a Skill Improvement Fund Trustee in 1992 and helped to guide the Laborers’ training program through a period of unprecedented growth, including a soon to be implemented laborers’ apprenticeship program.

Russ took his role as Skill Fund Trustee seriously, personally organizing dozens of skill and safety training programs out of the local union hall each year. Improving access to training for all members was important to Russ, and he was instrumental in the District Council’s effort to open a Satellite Training facility in Milwaukee last year.

Russ also was instrumental in revitalizing the Local’s political program. He served as the local’s political coordinator and assisted in recruiting hundreds of volunteers for local labor coalition activities.

As a Field Rep. for the Local, Russ was a delegate to the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council, a member of the Milwaukee County Labor Council and served on numerous committees, including the Milwaukee Laborers’ Health Fund and the Labor Council’s Labor Day committee.

An avid golfer and photographer, Russ always found ways to mix his favorite hobbies with his passion for the labor movement. He helped organize numerous labor sponsored golf outings and served as the un-official photographer of countless local events and activities.

Over the years, Russ even managed to secure a press pass or two, and on one of those occasions, joined journalist from across the country on the press riser at the Summerfest Grounds as they covered President Clinton’s Labor Day visit to Milwaukee in 1996. His pictures have graced the pages of many union publications over the years, including those of this Wisconsin Laborer newsletter.

Russ is survived by his wife Karen, two daughters Darcie (Dan) Sorensen and Kelly (Tom) Walley, granddaughter, Megan, family and friends.

In fond memory of Russ, a thank you to the Laborers

by Karen Leaman

Since Russ’ death in September, there is amazingly so much I’ve learned and continue to learn about the wonderful man who married me 31 years ago.

As the seemingly unending procession of people who came to honor Russ at his funeral passed by, some of the comments that came from people of all walks of life were – "Russ was a good guy." "He got me work." "Russ was a straight shooter." Many people loved him.

To all of his union brothers and sisters please know that you were like "real" sons and daughters and brothers and sisters to him. Russ truly believed and lived for the causes of the union.

In particular, I want to thank the laborers who came to the funeral home directly from jobsites. You kept apologizing for the smell of diesel fuel, oil or dirt on your work clothes. To me though, it was especially healing. It was the same scent of the earth that Russ carried with him when he labored in the field. It was the same earth he came from and to which he has returned.

Thank you for your love and support. We’ll all miss him – and besides who’s going to take all those pictures.

Local gives time on United Way project

Dan Dibble of Laborers’ Loca;l 1407 in Wisconsin Rapids was one of seventeen local members who recently donated nearly 200 hours of volunteer time refurbishing a home with new windows and siding.

With the local’s help, the former residence is scheduled to become the new United Way office in Wisconsin Rapids.

Other 1407 members who worked on the project included local #1407 Business Manager Loren Bloyd; Lori Bloyd; Dave Moscinski; Jai Passehl; Ronnie Linzmeier; Tom Hill; Tim Katzenberger; Jason Koetl; Al Arendt; Bruce Moscinski; Dan Shearer; Tom Punzel; Karel Henke; Barb McConnell; Dennis Olsen; and Red Herzberg.

Local #237 honors members for years of service

Laborers’ Local #237 in Kenosha held a continuous service and membership with the Laborers’ International Union pin presentation ceremony and dinner on September 21. Pictured are those members with 25 years or more of service who were able to attend the ceremony: (front row, left to right) Norm Sormula; Henry Halbur; Ramon Parades Jr.; Tony Seiberlich; John Matallo; (second row) Mike Ryan, District Council Business Manager; Duane Gentz; Jim Bargender; Steve Reimer, Local Business Manager; Dante Bindelli Sr.; Robert Peterson; (back row) Terry Healy, LIUNA Vice-President and Regional Manager; Ron Beguhn; Robert Hinrichs; Tom Knaus; Rich Rozzoni; Alex Nigro; John Inele; Paul Scuglik; and Terry Fitzpatrick.

Union members win state for Gore -- Laborers on frontline of campaign effort

Pollsters and pundits predicted a close vote for President in Wisconsin. But, few imagined that Al Gore would take Wisconsin by fewer than 6,000 votes out of the roughly 4-million cast.

Then again, this was no ordinary election. Never in our lifetime has a Presidential contest been so close that the outcome of the election rested on whether or not a single county in a single state should be compelled to hand-count ballots previously rejected by machines.

And, while questions about who really got the most votes in Florida may never be definitively answered, there is no doubt, regardless of the outcome of this election, that union voters are a force to be reckoned with in American politics.

Nationally, union voters made up 26% of the electorate on election day. That’s up from 19% in 1992 and 23% in 1996. Union household turnout increased by 2.5 million voters from 1996. Members of AFL-CIO affiliated unions voted 63% to 32% for Vice President Al Gore, with only 3% voting for Green Party Candidate Ralph Nader. Union turnout alone made the difference for Gore in Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Washington where non-union households voted decisively for Texas Governor George W. Bush. Democratic House members faired even better winning the union vote by a 70% to 30% margin over their Republican opponents.

In addition to carrying the state for Gore, Union members helped strengthen a pro-labor majority in the state Senate as Mark Meyer and Dave Hansen won elections to the state legislature, thanks in part to well organized union get out the vote efforts in La Crosse and Green Bay.

Laborer Locals across the state participated like never before, leafleting job sites, making phone calls, doing lit drops and mailing members information on issues and candidates.

Some of this activity put laborers on the frontlines of campaign efforts across the state. Laborers’ Locals in Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison, Milwaukee and Waukesha were each tapped to help organize around specific candidates and events in their areas.

Following a Gore rally in Fond du Lac, Laborers’ Local #1086 Business Manager Tom Klein road the campaign bus and had the opportunity to visit with US Senator and Vice Presidential candidate Joe Lieberman and his wife as they traveled to their next campaign stop in Waukesha.

"It was a thrill," Klein said, noting that Lieberman made a point to spend a few minutes visiting with everyone on the bus." It wasn’t a long trip, but it’s one I’ll never forget."

That same evening, John Krauss, Business Rep. for Laborers’ Local #392 in Waukesha was busy checking credentials and herding members of the press to their designated area before Gore’s Waukesha rally. "It was kind of fun telling the press where to go," Krauss lightheartedly admitted. "But, seriously, it’s really quite amazing all the work and organizing that goes into an event such as that."

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the campaign happened to Laborers’ Local #317 in Eau Claire which learned hours before their November meeting that US Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts was flying into town and was hoping to make it to their meeting.

According to Business Manager Tom Grunseth the phone call caught everyone a little off guard. "Its hard to get the word out to members when a call like that comes in at 4:30 in the afternoon."

The late notice did not stop the Local from packing the hall with members and opening the meeting to the general public. By the time Kerry spoke there was no room in the hall, with the overflow crowd spilling out to the parking lot.

"He did a great job and won a lot of votes," Grunseth said about Kerry’s speech. "He really changed some minds when he answered questions from the floor – especially on the gun issue."

Volunteers deserve thanks

by Mike Ryan

On behalf of the Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council and affiliated local union across the state, I want to thank the following volunteers for their work on behalf of labor supported candidates and campaigns this election season.

Whether it was phoning members, distributing literature, attending a rally, or helping with mailings, each gave of their time and talent to help elect candidates who support the members of this unions and our issues.

Special thanks to:

Local 113, Milwaukee

James Annis

Keith Brock

Howard Cooper, Jr.

Doug Evenson

Patrick Ervin

Nacarci Feaster

James Grant

Gary Janicki

Shawn Maher

Jack Metzger

Earnest Mitchell

John Schmitt

Michael Wilburn

Local 140, La Crosse

Tim Ballwahn

Kevin Lee

Kattie Squier

Local 317, Eau Claire

Jim Bugbee

Ben Grunseth

Tom Grunseth

Steve Mortiloni

Local 392, Waukesha

Steve Bako

John Krauss

Local 464, Madison

Ken Clevenger

Bill Dunn

Tom Fisher

Mary Free

Mike Garrett

Mike Haggerty

Al Krantz

Karl Markgraf

John Mathews

Diane Newby

Joe Oswald

Walter Place

Warren Platz

Kathy Sies

Local #539, Green Bay

James Faucett

Rick Jonet

Joe Heyrman

Gerald Paulson

Leo Schuh

Kerri Smits

Conrad Umentum

Local 1050, Superior

Doug Aunet

Ralph Wicklund

Frank Boyle

Ron Christensen

Bob Greatsinger

Tim Meteraud

Jo O’Brien

Local 1086, Fond du Lac

Tom Klein

Marty Lefeber

Red McEvoy

Miles Mertens

Jim Miller

Jeff Moulton

David Nelson

Randee Waltz

Local 1407, Wisconsin Rapids

Bev Bloyd

Loren Bloyd

Lori Bloyd

Scott Bloyd

Todd Bloyd

Dennis Erickson

Tom Hill

Ron Holden

Dale Ingebrigsten

Tim Katzenberger

Ronnie Linzmeier

Dave Moscinski

Dale Olsen

Jai Passehl

Ken Rapacz

Local 1440, Janesville

Dan Burke

Nancy ByeeLey

Sandy Davis

Melanie Rice

New directions needed for transportation system of the future

by Philip J. Scherer, Executive Director

Transportation Development Association of Wisconsin

Wisconsin's transportation system is at a crossroads where important decisions must be made on how to address documented needs. Our state has a history of making needed investments in transportation, yet today we are faced with an aging system and changing expectations on the part of the traveling public. The state's narrow revenue base can't keep up with the numerous unfunded needs facing every element of our transportation system. It is time to take a long hard look at what we want the future of Wisconsin transportation to look like and how we are going to pay for it.

The Challenge

State, regional and local plans as well as other assessments of the transportation system have shown a plethora of needs in every mode of transportation in Wisconsin and in every corner of the state. Some examples include:

the recently completed state airport system plan reveals a shortfall between past funding levels and expected needs over the next 20 years in the range of $15 million per year

the recently completed state highway system plan conservatively reveals a funding shortfall in the range of $240 million a year over the next 20 years

needs on the Milwaukee area freeway system, including the Marquette, Zoo and Mitchell interchanges are estimated at $5 billion over the next 20 years

passenger rail studies including the Midwest Rail System place Wisconsin’s need for infrastructure improvements at $650 million and system-wide costs for train sets at $650 million

advanced commuter rail studies are nearing completion in Dane County and SE Wisconsin. The combined cost of completed systems could exceed $1 billion over 10-20 years

within two years, we will have good numbers on local road needs as a result of the statewide pavements system inventory (WISLR); those numbers will be staggering to say the least because local roads and streets are increasingly in poor condition

The Problem

In the past, our state has gone to wells with realistic limitations that cannot fully meet future demands. At the state-level, the traditional sources —motor fuel taxes and vehicle registration fees—have generated close to 95% of the revenues. On average, 64% of all state-generated revenues come from the motor fuel tax and 29% from the vehicle registration fees. With gasoline prices over $1.50 a gallon, the potential for increasing motor fuel taxes is zero to none and the political appetite for significantly increasing registration fees is not much different.

Wisconsin is unique nationwide in its heavy reliance on those two sources of revenue. Although they have served us well in the past, the potential for expanding these revenue sources in the future is limited.

Faced with a situation where revenues are not sufficient to cover needed expenditures the state and local governments have a limited number of options. To address the problem, Wisconsin could do nothing and accept infrastructure problems that will threaten our economy and quality of life. Potential ramifications could include closing portions of the SE Wisconsin freeway system, reducing state highway maintenance and/or reducing state assistance for local roads and transit. Clearly, these impacts would be devastating to the mobility of Wisconsin citizens and the state's economy.

Another option would be to substantially increase existing fees, namely registration fees and fuel taxes. To attain the kinds of increases required to cover the needs outlined above, registration fees would have to increase 100-200% or motor fuel tax rates would need to jump 50-75%. The public would likely oppose these kinds of hikes; it is obvious these two sources of revenue have been maxed out.

The last option is to find a new way to approach transportation funding by transforming our investment tools.

The Solution

Obviously, Wisconsin transportation stakeholders must continue to maximize federal dollars. We have been successful in this arena with sizable gains in highway, transit and aviation funding in recent years. A large reason for these gains is addressing problems of equity (dollar-in-dollar-out principle) and making sure transportation revenues are spent for transportation purposes. The federal bills, TEA 21 and AIR 21 made great strides in both of these past problem areas. What that means, however, is that there is less room for significant growth in federal funding over the next few years.

This leads to one conclusion, we need to seriously look at raising state and local level funding through new revenue sources. One idea worth looking at on the state level is dedicating at least a portion of the current motor vehicle sales tax to transportation. Currently 100% of the motor vehicle sales tax goes to the state General Fund, where it is used for non-transportation purposes.

Admittedly, this is not a new idea…it has been around for a while but never at the right time. It is a good idea, especially today, the state's general fund is in favorable condition while the state's transportation systems face serious decay. If there was ever the time to have this logical revenue source used for transportation, this is it.

Health and Safety

Working in the cold

by Laborers’ Health and Safety Fund of North America

Cold injury is generally classified as local (e.g., frostbite or frostnip) or general (e.g., hypothermia). The main factors contributing to cold injury are exposure to humidity and high winds, contact with wetness or metal, inadequate clothing, age, and general health. Physical conditions that worsen the effects of cold include allergies, vascular disease, excessive smoking and drinking, and use of specific drugs and medications.

Frostbite can occur without hypothermia when extremities do not receive sufficient heat from central body stores. Frostbite: occurs when there is freezing of the fluids around the cells of the body due to extremely low temperatures. Frostbite may result in damage to and loss of tissue, and usually affects the nose, cheeks, ears, fingers, and toes. Damage from frostbite can be serious (e.g., scarring, tissue death resulting in amputation, and permanent loss of movement in the affected parts.)

The freezing point of the skin is about 30 degrees. As wind velocity increases, hear lass is greater and frostbite will occur more rapidly. If the skin comes into contact with objects colder than freezing [e.g., tools ox machinery), frostbite may develop at the point of contact, even in warmer environments.

There are 3 degrees of frostbite: first degree, which is freezing without blistering or peeling; second degree, which is freezing witt blistering or peeling; and third degree, which is freezing with tissue death. Please remember that the victim is often not aware of the frostbite until someone else observes the symptoms.

Symptoms of Frostbite

1. The first symptom of frostbite is an uncomfortable sensation of coldness, followed by numbness. There may be tingling, stinging, aching, or cramping.

2. The skin changes color to white or grayish-yellow, then to reddish-violet, and finally turns black as tissue dies.

3, Pain may be felt at first, but subsides.

4. Blisters may appear.

5. The affected part is cold and numb.

6. When frostbite of the outer layer of skin occurs, the skin has a waxy or whitish look and is, firm to the touch.

7. In cases of deep frostbite, the tissues are cold, pale and solid. This injury is severe.

Prevent cold exposure

In considering the prevention of cold stress, medical persons consider both the condition of the individual and what is happening in the environment. Acclimatization, water replacement (persons tend to dehydrate in the cold), electrolyte replacement, medical screening, continuing medical supervision, proper work clothes, add training and education classes all contribute to the prevention of Gold stress and injury related to working in a cold environment.

Continued exposure of skin should not be permitted when the wind-chill factor results in an equivalent temperature of –26 degrees. Workers exposed to air temperatures of 20 C or lower who become immersed in water or whose clothing gets wet should be given dry clothing and treated for hypothermia. Hypothermia is defined as a core body temperature of 95 degrees or lower.

Prevention and some medical considerations

Anyone on blood pressure medications (including water pills) should consult a doctor about possible side effects of cold stress. It is strongly recommended that workers suffering from diseases or taking medications that interferes with normal 'body temperature regulation, or that reduces tolerance of cold, not be permitted to work in temperatures of -10C (30QF) or below.

Workers using vibrating equipment such as pavement breakers, etc. are at increased risk of cold stress. It is best to guard against cold exposure with the appropriate clothing, have warm shelter available at all times, have carefully scheduled work and rest periods, and have the means available to monitor the workers' physical conditions.

Important: Under no circumstances should a person drink, or be given alcohol in order to keep warm. This causes the body to release heat more quickly and will then increase the risk of cold exposure. Fruits can help warm the body by creating increased energy and metabolism.

Treatment

Hypothermia is a medical emergency. We have all heard of cases of persons coming back from the brink. However, care must be taken with treatment in the field; keep warm, do not rub skin, do not put cold on areas, and most importantly, rapid re-warming of extremities or body can lead to the death of the hypothermic victim.

Training Center

Training Center 2001 class schedule

HOW TO APPLY

Classes are open to construction laborers who are employed by contractors contributing to the Training Fund and members of locals; 113 Milwaukee, 140 LaCrosse, 237 Kenosha, 317 Eau Claire, 392 Waukesha, 464 Madison, 539 Green Bay, 931 Appleton, 1050 Superior, 1086 Fond du Lac, 1359 Wausau, 1407 Wisconsin Rapids and 1440 Janesville.

Application forms are available at your local union office or from the Training Centers and enclosed in this publication. Complete the application form and return it to your local union. The local union office will verify your application form and forward it to the Almond Training Center.

The Almond Training Center will mail a "Class Acceptance" complete with all the details, (dates, location, map, etc) to your home address, 2-3 weeks before the class start date. If you are unable to attend for any reason, please notify the Almond Training Center at 1-800-275-6939.

LODGING (Almond site only)

Laborers are housed at a motel and commute daily to the Almond Training Center or may commute each day from home if it is within an hour or less driving distance. There are two persons to each room. Rooms are paid by the Almond Training Center. No pets are allowed at the motel or the Almond Training Center. No overnight lodging is available at the Southeastern Wisconsin Training Facility.

TRANSPORTATION

Laborers are reimbursed for mileage to and from the Almond Training Center, (one time, each way, each week). Commuters are paid $15.00 per day.

MEALS

We do not provide meals at the Training Centers. Laborers receive a daily meal allowance for the Almond site only. Bring your lunch for the noon meal. Coffee is provided. A large cooler to store food, microwaves to heat food, and snack and soda machines are available. Paper plates, napkins, and silverware are provided.

UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION

You may continue to receive Wisconsin unemployment benefits when taking classes since you are available for work while at the Training Center, (union referral, contractor call, etc.).

ENVIRONMENTAL COURSES

Asbestos Abatement Worker

1. March 19-22 4 days

2. April 9-12

Asbestos Abatement Supervisor

1. April 16-20 5 days

32/40 hours - Asbestos definitions, characteristics, health effects, personal protective equipment, work practices, personal hygiene, safety hazards, medical/air monitoring, regulations, respiratory protection, legal liability, insurance, contract specs., supervisory techniques, record keeping, state of the art equipment.

Hazardous Waste Worker

80 hours (includes weekend)

1. March 13-20

Health & Safety information, hazard recognition, engineering controls, personal protective equipment, site safety plans, decontamination procedures, safe use of field equipment, sampling techniques, rights and responsibilities of worker, emergency procedures, medical surveillance, confined space, underground storage tanks, EPA regulations, principles of toxicology.

ENVIRONMENTAL REFRESHER DATES

Asbestos Worker & Supervisor Refresher

1. Friday, January 12 #317

2. Friday, April 13 #1407

3. Saturday, May 5 SATELLITE

Asbestos Worker Refresher

1. Saturday, January 13 SATELLITE

2. Friday, January 19 #464

Asbestos Supervisor Refresher

1. Saturday, January 27 SATELLITE

2. Friday, April 27 WLTC

Hazardous Waste Worker Refresher

1. Tuesday, January 9 #464

2. Thursday, January 11 #317

3. Thursday, February 1 WLTC

4. Friday, February 2 #464

5. Friday, February 16 #1359

6. Saturday, February 24 SATELLITE

A Hazardous Waste Worker Refresher Course is required annually. There is no fee required at this time for renewal.

Site Safety Specialist

(3 days)

Construction safety, site safety inspections, preventative maintenance, tool box meetings.

Traffic Control and Flagging

(1 day)

Work zone safety manual, hands on with miniature roadway models set up.

Rough Terrain Forklift Safety

(1 day)

MCAA Safety Course, exam and certificate

Safety Seminars for Company Personnel or Local Unions

(2-4 hours)

OSHA Construction Safety

(10 hour Certified Construction Safety Course)

1. WLTC

Industrial Fire Watch Training

Contact WLTC

(1 day)

Held only at:

Fox Valley Technical College

Regional Fire Training Center

Neenah, WI

1. Dates open - upon request

OSHA Compliance, hot work permits, portable fire extinguishers, safety guidelines and procedures, alarm systems, hazard communication, demonstration/fire department.

Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Preparation for DOT written exam.

(4 hours)

Foreman Preparedness

1. February 5-9 1 week

Health and safety recognition, communications, construction mathematics, general project skills, job instruction, dealing with people, problem solving, emergency response, hazard communication, substance abuse.

Basic Transit/Level

1. January 8-19 2 weeks

2. February 26-March 9

3. March 26-April 6

Transit, Builders level, grade rod, lenker rod, range poles, set up and operation, applications, field exercise, elevations and stakes, construction mathematics.

Blueprint Reading

1. February 12-23 2 weeks

The course was specifically designed for members of the Laborers’ Union who do not have plan reading skills and who want to learn them to step up on the construction ladder.

Grade Checking - Highway

(Basic Transit required prior to enrollment)

1. January 22-February 2 2 weeks

2. March 12-23

3. April 9-20

Measurement systems, construction line, measurements, section, plan views, profiles, stationing systems, slope expressions, reference systems, roadway slopes, slope stakes, roadway prism, curb and gutter, calculation.

General Construction

New Entry Worker 2 weeks

Introduction to Construction Industry, Hand and power tools, Construction materials, OSHA safety, Introductory Industry Math.

Advanced Scaffold Builder

1. January 8-12 1 week

2. January 15-19

3. February 12-16

4. February 26-March 2

Course complies with OSHA regulations 1926. 450-454. Curriculum includes the OSHA standards, fall protection, stairways and ladders, electrical hazards and loading of scaffold. Hands-on training on the scaffold systems include frame and brace; tube and clamp; systems, tower & suspension scaffolds; shoring & rolling tower, and aerial lifts.

Basic Pipelaying

1. January 8-February 2 4 weeks

2. February 5-March 2

OSHA job safety, protective equipment, Crane signals, compaction, soils, air tools, pipelaying, concrete, ductile iron, shoring, tight sheeting, sewer blueprints, pipe patching and repairing, trench shields, gravity flow pipe, tapping forced main, copper flaring/lead joints, ARC First Aid/CPR, written tests and field problems.

Restricted Plumber

1. March 5-16 2 weeks

2. March 19-30

Wisconsin IND. CODE 145, restricted plumber curriculum including mound systems. Three years of verifiable employment with sewer contractor required. Laborers who want to obtain the plumber-restricted service license should request a credential application from the Wis. Department of Commerce, Safety and Buildings Division (608) 261-8500.

Welding/Cutting

1. January 15-26 2 weeks

2. February 5-16

3. February 19-March 2

3. March 12-23

Rough Terrain Forklift Operation and Safety

1. February 5-9 1 week

2. February 19-23

3. March 5-9

4. March 26-30

5. April 2-6

6. April 23-27

7. April 30-May 4

Forklift safety, operation and maintenance. Skid Steer Loader, Safety Operations & Maintenance, material handling.

Small Gas Engine Operation and Maintenance

1. January 8-10 3 days

2. January 29-31

3. March 5-7

Concrete Construction Practices

1. March 26-April 6 2 weeks

Basic construction mathematics, measuring, leveling, squaring methods, form systems, placement, vibration, stripping, cleaning, site safety, hand/power tools, field project to include; placing concrete, tool and equipment maintenance.

Mason Tending/Scaffold

1. April 9-20 2 weeks

Job setup, tools, equipment, materials, estimating, hand and machine stocking, scaffold building, types of scaffold, safety, mortar mixes, tending masons, tempering, housekeeping, shutdown, storage.

SATELLITE SCHEDULE

Southeastern Wisconsin Laborers’ Training Center

2750 South 14th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53215

Phone: (414) 389-0734 FAX: (414) 389-0752

Concrete 1

1. January 22-Feb. 2 2 weeks

Mason Tending/Scaffold

1. March 12-23 2 weeks

Job setup, tools, equipment, materials, estimating, hand and machine stocking, scaffold building, types of scaffold, safety, mortar mixes, tending masons, tempering, housekeeping, shutdown, storage.

Advanced Scaffold Builder

1. March 26-30 1 week

Course complies with OSHA regulations 1926. 450-454. Curriculum includes the OSHA Standards, fall protection, stairways and ladders, electrical hazards and loading of scaffold. Hands-on training on the scaffold systems include frame and brace; tube and clamp; systems and rolling tower.

Foreman Preparedness

1. March 5-9 1 week

Health and safety recognition, communications, construction mathematics, general project skills, job instruction, dealing with people, problem solving emergency response, hazard communication, substance abuse.

Basic Pipelaying

1. January 8-19 2 weeks

OSHA job safety, protective equipment, Crane Signals, compaction, soils, air tools, pipelaying, concrete, ductile iron, shoring, Tight sheeting, Trench shields, gravity flow pipe, ARC, First Aid/CPR, written test and field problems.

Basic Transit/Level/Laser

1. February 5-16 2 weeks

Transit, builders level, grade rod, lenker rod, range poles, set up and operation, applications, field exercise, elevations and stakes, construction mathematics.

Blueprint Reading

1. February 19-March 2 2 weeks

The course was specifically designed for members of the Laborers’ Union who do not have plan reading skills and who want to learn them to step up on the construction ladder.