ANSWER TO THE ANONYMOUS LETTER OF THE “27”
February 13, 2010
Electrical Workers- Local Union #479 1420 Spindletop Ave
Beaumont, Texas 77705
Please accept this letter as our official complaint regarding the position the union has chosen to take against Walker's Electric Company.
Part of our duties as required by the IBEW constitution is to protect our jurisdiction from encroachment of contractors who do not have the best interest of their employees at heart i.e. a living wage and god benefits for their families. As an example we are helping some unorganized workers who have not received the prevailing wage as required by law on government jobs this includes Walker’s Electric and others. This union and it’s members have worked long and hard to establish a good living wage, pensions and health care for our families, to let some unscrupulous individuals to encroach on our livelihood and destroy it.
As members of this local, we are very concerned about this ongoing battle, most of us have gotten a chance to meet and work with Mr. Walker and have found him to be a well qualified man of integrity,
INTEGRITY: Mr. Walker filed an application with TDLR to obtain a Master’s License claiming he had worked for a electrical contractor in Reno, Nevada, while he had a full time job in Beaumont with GSU/Entergy. When the State asked for some kind of proof he could produce none. No wage statements, claiming he had worked for cash for those years. He produced a notarized document that proved to be false. Is this integrity?
That has gone above and beyond for the community, since the start of this war, it is our belief the community has rallied around Walker and has employed him on jobs the union normally would have received.
We have invoices that Mr. Walker has submitted where he claims individuals were working for him when they have full time jobs. Invoices that have material that appears was not used on the specified jobs. Does this appear to be good responsibility to the community? The union is not taking on this battle, the FBI and the Texas Education agency is investigating.
This man has proven himself to be more then worthy, and committed to whatever job he is on big or small, although Walker has taken a stand on not being a member of this local union. He was a member of this school on the contrary to publish statements such as "Walker is not qualified". Some of us set next to him at the NJATC School receiving classroom as well as hands on training from this Apprenticeship School.
This local has not made a claim that “Walker is not qualified “ as an electrician, although several union contractors have had calls from some of his former customers to correct problems. What the union questioned was his qualifications for his masters license.
We are saddened that the union has made the choice to spend so much time, effort, and money on this Vendetta that it is costing us the loss of contracts to outside companies, such as the Athletic Complex (JJ&R Houston) and Louisiana.
Maybe you missed the organizing report, at the union meeting that the “27” attended, we have concerted efforts on JJ&R and other contractors in our jurisdiction.
What would be the ultimate accomplishment of local 479 in running Walker out of business? While it appears the focus of your attention is on one company, one man. You are allowing other contractors into our city to take our jobs,
Jobs you are fighting to keep from Walker. Who by the way does not seem concerned in the lease about the union's stand against him, it appears that Walker has a proven paper trail confirming the union's allegations have been false.
Please furnish paper trail and we will examine it. If the union allegations are false why did Walker forfeit hi Master’s License and pay a $5000 fine. If the “27” would like to examine my paper trail you are more than welcome.
If you are as concerned as we are, please address this problem in the next meeting, before we lose members as well as contracts, it is reported some members have approached Walker's Electric, for employment opportunities.
Why would a member wish to go to work for someone who pays substandard wages and no benefits .
As active due paying members we demand that the madness stops, and allow us to get back to work.
Maybe the “27” needs to review the OBJECTS of the IBEW our UNION:
* To organize all workers in the entire electrical industry in the United States and Canada, including all those in public utilities and electrical manufacturing, into local unions.
* To promote reasonable methods of work.
* To cultivate feelings of friendship among those of our industry.
* To settle all disputes between employers and employees by arbitration (if possible).
* To assist each other in sickness or distress.
* To secure employment.
* To reduce the hours of daily labor.
* To secure adequate pay for our work.
* To seek a higher and higher standard of living.
* To seek security for the individual.
* And by legal and proper means to elevate the moral, intellectual and social conditions of our members, their families and dependents, in the interest of a higher standard of citizenship.
Regrets,
Exactly 27 Members local #479
We have chosen to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation,