Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/933762
THE ARTISAN WINTER 2018 • 7 I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season spent with close friends and family, and that 2017 was filled with good jobs and fellowship. This is our first Artisan for 2018 and also the start of my 15th year at the Local. When I first began this adventure in 2004, I was told by a seasoned Executive Board member that being a Business Representative is akin to being retired … you talk to a lot of people, negotiate contracts, give members advice and go to some meetings. Well, he seemed to have left out a few key ele- ments… he neglected to say that I would be working long hours and many six- or seven-day weeks; I would travel out of town and be living out of a suitcase at times; I'd be on a deadline constantly, and my wife would greet me at the door with the words … "And you are?" Of course, I am having a little fun with words, but you get the picture … our office does stay busy, and we are never at a loss for something to do. I would like to take this opportunity to say thanks to our members who have believed in and supported us as their "Representatives" in the workplace and allowed us to be their advocates in all things union over these many years. Their trust makes what we do worth- while, and we thank them. I also wish to acknowledge and thank our Executive Board and Board of Trustees for their hard work and commitment to all our members. Their yearly dedication and leadership gives us the direction and governance needed to keep our Local viable for years to come. I also must recognize our resilient and wonderful staff in the 706 office. Thank you to Kathy Sain, our office manager, Diane Burns, our accounting specialist, and Linda Flores and Hailey Swartz, our dispatchers. Their loyalty to our mem- bers is steadfast; they are a hardwork- ing team that rises to the occasion to whatever tasks they are given. Lastly, Sue and Randy are the finest co-workers, partners and friends a man could ask for; they are the glue that helps complete our mission … to represent all members of Local 706 equally with dignity and fairness. I truly believe that the position of a union representative is simi- lar to being a Department Head on a production … surround yourself with talented and dedicated people; individuals who have your back, and who are on the same page with you; those who give their all each and every day. I'm lucky to have those individuals! We truly are a team. Local 706 lost some wonderful and talented members this last LOCAL PERSPECTIVE year, and I would like to acknowledge them: Make-up artists Kim Addrisi, Steve Artmont, Gene Bartlett, Ron Berkeley, Tom Ellingwood, Donna Henderson, David Langford, Charles Mullen, John Norin, Manlio Rocchetti, Don Schoenfeld, Sherilyn Stetz, and Beverly Turner; hair stylists Danne Hayden, Felicia D. Herron Evelyn Preece, Brad Scott and Toni-Ann Walker. May we never forget these gifted artisans. We had a very successful year of education for our Roster members, honing their skills and abilities to help them be more prepared for jobs in the future. Contract Services ended up sponsoring and paying for 10 two-day skills training classes for our members; for 2018, I put bids on similar curriculum and hopefully, we will have those approved by the end of February. Thanks to all our teachers this last year: make-up artists Howard Berger, Steve Buscaino, Leslie Devlin, Ken Diaz, Ed French, Tami Lane, Steve Laporte, Brad Look, Todd McIntosh, Peter Montagna, Ned Neidhart, Bob Romero and Rick Stratton; hair stylists Jennifer Guerrero, Melissa Jaqua, Lucia Mace and Gail Ryan. They all did a wonderful job, and we sincerely thank them for sharing their experiences and knowledge. In our monthly 706 bulletin, I try to put a saying or quip on the front page that maybe is a little whimsical or amusing ... something that starts our periodical on a light note or with a relevant subject that members can connect with. In our December bulletin I inserted a quip from the distinguished writer, Edward Osgood Grover, on his definition of Santa Claus and the spirit of giving. With that in mind, I am going to use his theme on giving as a short epilogue to this article. "I would hope that all of us could find in our hearts to act a little bit like a Santa Claus all year round. To be one who lives each day with compassion in his or her heart, with a gift of charity and a spirit of giving combined. May you all have others in your lives who feel the same way." Please enjoy this issue of The Artisan. Sincerely and Fraternally, by Tommy Cole Business Representative, I.A.T.S.E. Local 706 I would like to take this opportunity to say thanks to our members who have believed in and supported us as their 'Representatives...' " "