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News Briefs

Date Posted: April 29 2005

Volunteers sought for Habitat blitz
Habitat for Humanity and the Jimmy Carter Work Project are conducting a 30-home building blitz in Macomb County. Volunteers are being sought to install gas and water piping and to set fixtures. Pipe installation can begin prior to the "official" work-day on Sunday, June 19. On Thursday, June 23, the fixtures are scheduled to be set. Habitat officials say that volunteers can begin to work in the basements after June 11.

Pipe trades workers are being sought to volunteer with the sub-assembly of plumbing for single bathroom ranch houses. Gas pipe can also be pre-assembled. Several dates and times are available. To volunteer, please call Molly Forward at the Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors of Detroit, (313) 341-7661, ext. 204.

Union label site helps you shop
Looking to buy union - or not buy nonunion?

In order to help consumers become better informed about how they spend their money, the AFL-CIO Union Label and Service Trades Department sponsors a website, www.unionlabel.org, which acts as a clearinghouse for "do-buy" and boycott lists.

School candidates endorsed for May 3
The Greater Detroit Building and Construction Trades Council's Political Action Committee have a short list of endorsements for the Tuesday, May 3, 2005 school elections:

*Brighton Area Board of Education - Endorsed is Joe Carney, a 35-year member if IBEW Local 58.

*Warren Consolidated School District - Endorsed are Warren Consolidated Board of Education candidates Elaine Jankowski-Arnold and Chris Arnold. Chris is a member of Roofers Local 149 and Elaine is his mother. Both have pledged to support prevailing wage in the community, prevent outsourcing, and support the labor movement.

Hunter safety program scheduled
The 9th annual Hunter Safety Program hosted by state Sen. Deborah Cherry in conjunction with the Flint Area Building Trades is scheduled in May.

Two classroom lessons will be held, on Monday, May 9 and Wednesday, May 11, from 6-9:30 p.m. at Grand Blanc High School (auditorium), 12500 Holly Rd.

A shooting range lesson will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 21 at the Grand Blanc Huntsman's Club, 9046 Irish Rd. in Grand Blanc. Free refreshments follow.

This is a free Michigan DNR-certified program, and all supplies and safety equipment will be provided. Gifts will be provided to all program graduates.

To register, go online to www.senate.mi.gov/cherry and click on "hunter safety program," or call (866) 305-2126.

Tradesman wins 3 labor press awards
The Building Tradesman Newspaper won three first-place awards in the annual Michigan Labor Press Publication Contest earlier this month.

The contest was held in conjunction with the MLP's annual convention, which took place this year in Detroit. The Building Tradesman won top honors for General Excellence- Tabloid, Best Feature Story and Best Editorial.

Established in 1952, The Building Tradesman is one of the oldest and largest union publications in the nation, with a circulation of more than 48,000.