Brothers and Sisters I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing Memorial Day weekend and took time to reflect on the reason for the Memorial Day Holiday. Memorial Day is a US Federal Holiday, wherein the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces are remembered. The holiday is celebrated every year on the final Monday of May. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end. Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day; Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans. This holiday, Memorial Day, is about the people who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. I thank the men and women and their families who made the ultimate sacrifice for all Americans. The armed forces of the U.S. are there to protect our country and its citizens.
John L. Lewis wrote “The labor movement is organized upon a principal that the strong shall help the weak. Whereas, today the unions of this country may be able to stand on their own two feet, and like mighty oaks stand before the gale, defy the lightning. Yet, the day may come when those organizations will not be able to withstand the lightning and the gale. Now, prepare yourselves by making a contribution to your less fortunate brethren, heed the cry from Macedonia that comes from the hearts of men.”
Brothers and Sisters, thank you for your membership in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. I often hear that unions do not have any value anymore. The Unions have already fought for and won an eight (8) hour work day, weekends, holidays, vacations, double time pay, rest time, overtime after eight (8) and etc. etc. Brothers and Sisters, our rights and liberties are under attack each and every day. Corporate America wants your Union negotiated benefits back. It is up to you and I to stand firm as organized labor and fight corporate greed.
On April 28, 2014, the Bobby Reed trial began at the National Labor Relations Board. As many of you know I was terminated from Oncor in January 2013 for testifying at a Senate Committee on Business and Commerce about smart meters in October of 2012. The trial began Monday, April 28th and went through Thursday, May 1st without concluding. The Administrative Law Judge has scheduled the parties to resume the trial on June 18, 2014. Thanks to all for your prayers and well wishes. I put this in the Lord’s hands a long time ago.
The Union and Company are scheduled to meet on May 30th for our Quarterly Meetings. If you have any comments or concerns you would like to see addressed at the meeting relay the information to one of the Union Committee Members. The members are: Ross McAuley, James Chapman, Charlie Jackson, Ronnie Killion, Rodney Deleon, Don Smith, Jerry Hicks, and Don Gray.
Until next time may God bless you, your family, our local union, organized labor, and the United States of America.
Bobby W. Reed