Most months we focus on what's going on at work, this month I would like to focus on the reasons why we go work. To have families, houses, and friends.
To quote Lonnie Stephenson " There is nothing more important to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW ) than our members and their families' safety and well-being.
Every year, approximately 800,000 children in the United States go missing, and another 50,000 go missing in Canada. To help our members protect their children and grandchildren, the IBEW
has joined the National Child Identification Program, to provide the enclosed free Child ID Kit."
The ID Kit he referenced is available at your local Union Hall and will be available at our Glens Falls, Gloversville and Albany Union Meetings. Couple things about the kits, this is not something
you have to register or have put in a database, you hold onto it and hopefully never have to use it. It will take less than 10 minutes to complete but will have information critical to the authorities
should the unthinkable happen. It has places to quickly update height, weight, and any other physical descriptions as our children age. It records fingerprints and DNA, did I mention, you control and
maintain the kit. It goes in the same place as any of your other important documents, deeds, SS cards, birth certificates, hopefully a locked fire safe.
Members, as Fall turns leaves red please remember it is a good time to clean boilers, furnaces, hot water tanks and fireplace flues. Also, don't forget your smoke and CO2 detector are in working order. Leaves should be cleared away from any fresh air intakes and all exhaust vents as well. Snow removal equipment in good repair and a fresh bag of ice melt won't hurt. Your family's car or truck could use some TLC before you get called because they are stuck on the side of the road looking for your help.
Last if you are around small children or seniors please think about the flu shot to keep them safe.
Thanks to all who came out for our recent Appreciation night at the Saratoga Raceway and Casino. It was a night filled with good food and Union Solidarity. As a result of the 50/50 raffle and some other donations, we will be sending close to $600 to the Ronald McDonald House in Albany. If you are interested in helping to plan the next event, contact Dan Machold at the Union Hall. -Chuck Milos ABM, Eastern Division