District 2 Report — March 2022

My Brothers and Sisters,

The work picture is D2 has been slow for some time now and looks to remain that way for the first couple months of the new year. Just like with a lot of businesses right now, there seems to be a shortage in materials as well as shipping delays.

There should be some upcoming work in the Ports of Long Beach and LA this year.

There will be an upcoming project in downtown Long Beach under a PLA for two eight-story mixed use buildings. Gregg Electric has a few projects in the D2 area still to come, two of them at the Long Beach Airport inside existing hangars and one adjacent to Carson Marathon Refinery. The Ports of Call in San Pedro should hopefully be starting up this year with their new construction.

If you are thinking about traveling to other locals to look for work, make sure you have an up-to-date travel letter. You can request one in-person at any of the halls or request it online.  You must be on the out of work list to request a travel letter.

Also, if you’re going to travel any significant distance, always call the hall prior to going there to see how the work picture is for Book 2 and what their protocols are for signing their Book 2. Make sure you have a current dues receipt with you.

If you see any construction sites in your travels that you want me to look in on, or if you want me to stop by your site, please give me a call, text or email. The only way we know where to find the current jobs sites is if we see job calls come into the halls, if we happen to drive by a site, or if you the members give us a call.

A reminder that we have negotiations coming up this year, so if you or any other members have ideas on what you would like added to, deleted from, changed in our agreement, start writing down your ideas. There is a form on Local 11’s website, that you can fill out and submit. Encourage all your fellow brothers and sisters you are working with to participate.

The District 2 Welfare Committee has a new challenge coin out to celebrate the anniversary of Local 11 forming from six sperate locals. We have the coins for sale at the South Bay Hall, in Commerce and of course Dave Grabowski has them for sale when he is down in Commerce. During the first part of April, District 2 will have its Super Bowl challenge in. These will be limited and numbered so don’t sleep on it if you’d like one.  Remember, the first Wednesday of each month is our D2 Meeting’s and the last Tuesday of each month is our D2 Welfare Committee meetings. All members are welcome to our D2 monthly meetings and all D2 members are welcome to attend the D2 Welfare meetings.  The welfare meetings are where we discuss new designs for shirts, challenge coins, pins etc. so if you want to get involved, please stop by.  Currently both meetings are held at the South Bay Hall, starting at 5 p.m.

If you know someone who needs help with their dues or is financially in need, have them reach out to the welfare committee of their district to see what the welfare committee can do to help out.  They can fill out and turn in the form at any of the halls to request assistance.

Keep August 6 marked on your calendars. This will be the date for the annual IBEW Local 11 Picnic. It will be at the Hollywood Sports Park again this year.

I’d like to close my report by asking everyone to keep an eye on each other on the jobs. I’m not just talking about the typical day-to-day construction hazards. Let’s check in with our brothers and sisters to make sure they are doing OK, both physically and mentally.  We have great benefits, so if you see someone who is not quite the same, talk to them. Sometimes that may be all that is needed.  If you or someone you know is struggling with any type of addiction or depression, remember we have a Members Assistance Program available to help.  And as always, take care of the older members on the jobsites. Eventually you will be that older member.

Thank you all for letting me serve as your D2 Agent, it is an honor and privilege to serve this membership and this great IBEW.

As always, yours in Brotherhood,

Gary Tomlin
(626) 375-5721
gtomlin@ibew11.org