Special Meeting, July 8th
Our regular meeting will be held at the Marine Firemens' Hall.
It will start at 6:00 pm and there will be a discussion of our
Pension & Medical Plans. Click here for a map.
Extras Needed For Semicon
There's a strong possibility that Extra workers will be needed for the
Semicon / Intersolar show at Moscone Center in San Francisco
and for the Face & Body show at the San Jose Convention Center.
Potential work days are July 8, 9, 10, 13, and 17. Move-in begins July 7th.
Please call the Extra message line for the
latest update on work. The number is: (415) 675-9707
Click here for information about working as an
Extra trade show worker through Local 510.
Czarnowski & Friends
Installers and riggers stand proud and happy in front of a massive graphics job that recently graced the floor of Moscone Center. Often we focus on the window treatments that decorate the outside of the halls and forget about the everday heroism of our members who put up the exhibits and make them look good.
Inside Looking Out
The Apple Logo window treatment as seen from the 2nd floor lobby of Moscone West.
Outside Looking In
Local 510 Officers: Josh Ende and Mike Pointer keeping an eye on the window graphics job at the Apple WWDC.
Upcoming Work
A down-sized PCBC will be returning for its annual run in mid June. The move in begins on June 13 and the show closes on the 19th. Then there's only Cisco to fill the weeks until Semicon comes to town; that move in will begin right after the July 4th weekend.
For all the times, dates and details please check June's Calendar and Schedule.
Employee Free Choice Act
Update: The Employee Free Choice Act has now been presented to the 111th Congress. Things are definitely heating up! There were 233 co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives and 40 co-sponsors in the Senate. Click Here To see how our elected representatives voted.
California's two Senators have supported us in the past. Senator Barbara Boxer is already a co-sponsor. Please Click Here to send her a Thank You note for supporting us and the Employee Free Choice Act.
We wrote messages to Senator Feinstein during our February Union Meeting. She replied to our letters but hasn't yet spoken in favor the Employee Free Choice Act. It would be good for her to hear from every 510'er... Click Here to download a Local 510 letter, add a personal note to it, and return it to the Local 510 office (we will also be collecting them on the show floor).
Remember, a lot of people who don't have a voice at work are counting on us to see that they get their rights!
Picket Line In San Mateo
You're never to young to make a stand. Pictured above is Ashley Mumy (daughter of John Mumy) who has been manning the line for six days straight now. Won't you join her and members of Local 510 along with the Teamsters, Stagehands and Electricians in a collective action at the San Mateo Expo Center. We want to have a strong showing over this weekend and we need every member who can make it to be there. Click here for directions. This action will continue until the issue is resolved. Please check the tape for the latest updates.
Upcoming Work
"Roaring like a lion!" is how March is both beginning and ending this year. Don't know if that will be true for the weather but it's a sure forecast for trade show work.
Racquet Sports begins to fill both the North and South Halls at the end of this week.
As Racquet closes Game Developers starts filling the West and North Halls. Embedded Systems begins a full hall show in San Jose on the same day that Game Developers closes. That date is March the 27th. B's C's and Extras should make sure to check their dispatch messages often that week and the next because both Web 2.0 and Cataract Surgeons are moving in on the 29th and 30th respectively.
Please check March's Calendar and Schedule for all the gory details.
New Benefits Website
Allied Administrators has put up a website to help our members use and understand their medical and pension benefits. On it you'll find Overviews, FAQs, Forms and complete copies of the Medical and Pensions booklets. Coming soon: a secure sign-in to check your elegibility. Click here: www.signbenefits.com to check it out
2009 Class Schedule
The schedule for JATC Training classes has just been revised. To get the lowdown on the updates: please click here to see what classes are being offered, and when they are scheduled.
The Employee Free Choice Act
The New Year began with a new President. Our Union worked hard to see him elected, and we talked to other Union members about what needs to be changed before we can rebuild this country.
We have seen what has happened to people with no union to defend their interests and to bargain for fair wages and decent working conditions. Our economy has run dry, and part of the problem is that the majority of Americans have been receiving less and less pay in return for their work until not enough comes in to pay the bills.
The economy can not become solid again unless people have jobs that pay a decent living. And the only way to ensure those jobs pay fair wages is for people to have the right to choose a union.
There is a bill in Congress which would give people a fairer chance to join a union. It's called the Employee Free Choice Act. It does three things:
1) Establishes stronger penalties for violation of employee rights when workers seek to form a union and during first-contract negotiations. Right now, the penalties are so minor that, in practice, they encourage illegal behavior.
2) Provides mediation and arbitration for first-contract disputes. Currently, Corporations who have agreed to bargain with a union can stall, and end up avoiding their first contract.
3) Allows employees to form unions by signing cards authorizing union representation. Right now, workers have no choice about whether to either hold an election over union membership or choose to begin negotiations once a majority sign up for the union.
Follow these links to learn more about the Employee Free Choice Act and to send a message to Congress:
Good Bye Fancy Food
Apple Has Left The Building...
...roll up the rugs and turn out the lights. Greg Posadas and Dave Collin begin the tear down of Macworld 2009. But as that show fades from our rear view mirror plenty more work lies ahead. Check the Upcoming Work article below for a preview of January's end and February's start.
Beginnings & Endings
Apple rocked our world with the announcement that they would be lowering the curtain for the last time on their exhibit at Macworld and would not be returning in 2010.
But the show goes on. IDG reminds us that there will still be a Macworld next year. Early reports are that 90% of the exhibitors have already signed on for "The start of a new era".
News of Apple's departure didn't noticably dampen any spirits. The show floor was abuzz with interest in all the products and services on display.
There's a lot of talk about economic uncertainty these days, but let's not forget that 2008 was a boom year for most 510ers. Many of us share the joy shown by Elisa Smith at the International Motorcycle Show in San Mateo.
The Motorcycle show is typically marks the end of the year for Local 510. The bikes sure were pretty, but they weren't the "baddest" rides on the floor...
...Those would be the forklifts and carts, like the one being driven by Teamster foreman Guy Richter. We don't do our jobs alone, and we should remember to give thanks for all the help we get from the legion of teamsters, electricians, stage hands and others we work with.
Holiday Party Photos
There was a cloud of concern when Santa paused for a moment to double check the "Naughty/Nice" list. Fortunately everything was A-OK and soon it was nothing but smiles all around.
And speaking of smiles... it was wall to wall grins and laughter at the annual Local 510 Holiday Party on Sunday December 7th. The food was excellent, the music was top notch and the Hall of Flowers was the perfect setting. We gathered together as family and friends to put a warm happy ending on a great year. An absoulutely fabulous time was had by all. A hearty round of appreciation is due to the legions of volunteers that worked so hard to make this party happen. All the members of Local 510 thank you for a wonderful job.
While everybody was having a great time at the party, David Krasnor was busy taking pictures. Please click here to see all your fellow members reveling in the good times.
Oracle Up & Down
Mounir Diakite and Andrew Morocco take in the view from the swing stage at Oracle World 08. Meanwhile just barely visible to Mounir's left Bill Morocco (AKA "The Hardest Working Man in the Trade Show Business) is already on the job.
Just six days later the tent is gone, the huge window logos are just a memory, and the show's properties are packed and ready to be scattered throughout the country.
Retirement Get-Togethers
The Retirement Committee has produced an agenda and gathered some basic information about retirement options. Please click here to view this material.
Raising The Bar
Four members of Local 510 at work on the high aluminum at this year's SemiCon. There was work for everyone: A, B, C List or Extra. We all pulled together and made San Francisco's largest trade show happen once again.
Fast Company
Local 510 would like to congratulate Shannon Rowbury (daughter of 510 member Gary Rowbury) on her recent performance at the U.S. Track & Field Trials in Eugene, OR. She won by nearly three seconds in 4 minutes, 5.48 seconds and has qualified for the US Olympic Team at this summer's Beijing Olympics. Please click here for the S.F. Chronicle's story on the race.
Flying Lessons
Max Ewalt puts on her best Peter Pan imitation during last week's Ground School for Riggers classes. To view more pictures from the classes please click here.
Between Shows
North Hall sits empty and quiet waiting for Semicon to begin its installation. Check the Show Schedule and Calendar for more details.
Retirement Get-Togethers
The Retirement Committee has produced
and agenda and gathered some basic information about retirement options.
Please click here to view this material.
Venues will be made available over the course of the year 2008. Various Get-Togethers will be held to accommodate different job sites, shows, and companies. There will be announcements by stewards, foremen, and committee members, as well as flyers, handouts, signs and Web postings. A Retirement Get-Together is headed your way! Our goal is to get this information out
to everyone who wants it and to get our 510ers a leg up on retirement!
Workers' Compensation
If you're injured on the job you'll be covered by the California Workers' Compensation system. Most of us don't find out how this works until after we've been hurt. Learning about this system before you need it may help you get better care and service. Local 510 has put together page of links to information about Workers' Compensation and medical care, click here to view.
Local 510: The Next Generation
While laying carpet in his home John Mumy took the opportunity to begin his daughter's education in the delicate arts of trade show installation. Little Ashley is dressed for success in her Carhartt overalls but still thinks shoes are optional. I guess we'll have to sign her up for the next OSHA 10 safety class.
NADA: Before & After
It's easy to lose sight of the job we do. Recently our entire Union: A's, B's, C's, and Extras worked together to put in NADA. It really is heroic how we transform bare halls. To see a graphic example of this, check out the three photographs below. They show South Hall on February 1, the first day of set-up. Moving your mouse over "AFTER" will show South Hall on February 9, opening day.
| BEFORE | AFTER |
| BEFORE | AFTER |
| BEFORE | AFTER |
Calm Before the Storm
By now we've all experienced the tsunami of work that NADA required. Our entire membership was put to work moving the show in. That includes members of the "B" list, "C" list and a host of Extras. But it was quite different on Friday Feb. 1 at lunch time in the West Hall. Above a lone member of Local 510 enjoys a solitary, peaceful, and quiet lunch among the pools of light and shadow that filled the lobby on that lovely day.
Sleeping Beauties
Remember there's nothing better than a lunch time nap to get you ready for the second half of the day.
If you know any "C" listers or people who would like to work as Extras please tell them to check their respective message tapes to find out when work is available. More information about becoming an Extra can be found by clicking here
Web Site Improvements
A statement about who we are and what our Union stands for has been added to our "Contact Us" page. Our photographs now have a page of their own. Click on the "Photo Gallery" link in the left hand column of this page to view them. There's also a page of links to information, about Workers' Compensation and medical care, click here to view.
Morning Light
We often take our workplaces for granted. But the light and shadows of Moscone West bring a bit of magic and wonder into our lives as we report for the day's labors.
Apple Corps
Venti-sized window treatments are becoming all the rage when a tradeshow wants to make a statement to the world. The photo above shows our members "painting" with vinyl on the canvas of Moscone's West Hall at Apple's recent World Wide Developer's Conference.
Paper Airplanes
We learned everything we needed to know in grade school. The difference is: back then they made us stay after school, now they pay us overtime. If you want to know more about making paper airplanes click here, it's always good to increase your job skills.
