8-14-25 LT

Fire Fighters Local 73 donates $5K to Midwest Children’s Burn Camp Page 3

IBEW community mourning loss of one of their own in tragic accident

IBEW Local 702 member killed in helicopter crash

West Alton, IL – The IBEW community is mourning the loss of one of their own after an IBEW Local 702 utility lineman died last week in a fiery, work-related helicopter crash in West Alton.

The lineman, Michael Cody Curry, 37, and pilot Nicholas Fulton, 35, were conducting maintenance on power lines over a barge on the Missouri side of the Mississippi River when the helicopter clipped

a power line and burst into flames Aug. 7. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the deadly crash.

Chris Hankins, IBEW Local 309 business manager/financial secretary in Collinsville, Ill., shared the information on social media and confirmed that Curry was a member of Local 702 out of West Frankfort, Ill.

‘WORST KIND OF TRAGEDY’

“The IBEW family had the worst kind of tragedy today,” Hankins

AFT 420 may be moving for vote of no confidence against St. Louis Public Schools superintendent Page 7

AFGE outraged after VA terminates collective bargaining agreement Page 9

Bricklayers’ Annual Blood Drive a huge success Page 4 Outdoor Guide Pages 12-16

Machinists District

Members refute distorted wage offer

By SHERI GASSAWAY Missouri Correspondent

International Association of Machinists (IAM) District 837 members at Boeing in St. Louis are still on strike after rejecting the company’s contract offer Aug. 4.

The strike includes about 3,200 members in St. Louis, St. Charles, Mo., and Mascoutah, Ill. The members voted on Aug. 3 to reject a modified four-year Labor agreement with Boeing, following members’ overwhelming rejection of Boeing’s earlier proposal on July 27.

St. Louis Labor Council President Pat Kellett visited several strike lines last week to talk to

837’s Boeing strike enters second week

Movement is behind them. – Labor Tribune photo

workers and let them know the St. Louis Labor Council and all its affiliated unions have their support.

‘STANDS BEHIND THEM’

“These members play a crucial role in the nation’s defense and deserve a contract that reflects their many years of hard work, skill and dedication,” Kellett said. “We’re here to let them know that the St. Louis Labor Movement stands behind them every step of the way in their fight for a fair contract.”

The Labor Tribune accompanied Kellett on the site visits last week and talked to Local 837 members. While none were willing on go on record, several members expressed displeasure with recent

See BOEING page 11

State Labor federations band together against Trump’s redistricting scheme

By TIM ROWDEN Editor-in-Chief

Labor is banding together against President Donald Trump’s redistricting scheme – a brazen attempt to redraw Congressional maps in Texas and elsewhere to favor Republicans in next year’s midterm elections.

As the Washington Post reports: “Republicans are exploring ways to redraw congressional maps in their favor well beyond Texas as President Donald Trump pushes for aggressive changes… Republicans are discussing ways to create new red seats in Missouri, Indiana and Ohio ahead of next year’s midterm elections and carve out as many as

five in Florida, even as they face legal hurdles.”

In response, the Texas AFL-CIO, California Federation of Labor Unions, Florida AFL-CIO, Illinois AFL-CIO, Missouri AFL-CIO, New York State AFL-CIO, Ohio AFLCIO and Washington State Labor Council (WSLC) released a joint statement last week in response to the redistricting scheme:

“We are at a pivotal moment in our country — the future of our unions, our democracy, and our freedoms is at stake. Donald Trump is desperately trying to rig the rules in his favor by demanding a corrupt, rigged redistricting process in Texas, and he won’t stop there.

“As Labor leaders from across the country, we are in strong solidarity with Texas workers in this fight — because we know this will affect every single worker across the country.

“In our blue states, we’ll support

LABOR

OUT: The Texas

Trump’s redistricting scheme. – AFL-CIO photo

any and all efforts to make sure that workers’ rights across this country are protected, including fighting to redistrict ourselves if that is what it takes.

See REDISTRICTING page 10

Local 837 members continue to picket as the union enters the second week of its strike against Boeing. St. Louis Labor Council President Pat Kellett (right) visited the strike lines in Hazelwood and St. Charles last week to show solidarity with the workers and let them know the St. Louis Labor

SPEAKING

AFL-CIO, California Federation of Labor Unions, Florida AFL-CIO, Illinois AFL-CIO, Missouri AFL-CIO, New York State AFL-CIO, Ohio AFL-CIO and Washington State Labor Council (WSLC) released a joint statement last week in response to President

MICHAEL CODY CURRY, an IBEW Local 702 utility lineman (left), was killed in a helicopter crash along with the pilot when the aircraft clipped a power line and burst into flames over a barge on the Missouri side of the Mississippi River in West Alton on Aug 7. – Curry tribute video screenshot

The great betrayal

By KENNETH W. COOPER IBEW International President

When Donald Trump took the oath of office the first time eight years ago, I had serious concerns that he would turn out to be just another Republican president with handouts for the rich and the back of his hand for the rest, but I was willing to see if he kept his promises to working families.

I was willing to give him a chance because that’s all that working men and women needed, what the members of the IBEW needed. A chance.

I saw enough in his first term to make up my mind that there were better options for the IBEW.

BUDGET BILL

But nothing, I mean nothing, in his first term — nothing in my more than 60 years as an American citizen — comes close to the budget bill he just signed as a betrayal of everything I believe government should be for.

Not only will this bill kill hundreds of thousands of jobs that would have been IBEW jobs, but it will rip the rug from under a generation of would-be apprentices and billions of dollars of our wages will evaporate.

This isn’t just about the elimination of union-friendly tax incentives for clean electric generation jobs.

This is the wholesale abandonment of a project to electrify our economy that would have made us the competitive marvel of the world with the kind of blue-collar careers

we haven’t seen in generations.

‘IT’S

IN TATTERS’

Now it’s in tatters.

And why? What is it all for?

They’ll say they made overtime tax-free. But it isn’t true.

You still pay payroll taxes on overtime, and the maximum deduction is $12,500, getting smaller the more you make. But who’s working overtime when they’re sitting on the bench?

And it excludes rail workers. And it ends in 2028, after the next presidential election.

You know what doesn’t have a $12,500 maximum?

The deduction they left in to alleviate the struggle of owning and operating a private jet.

Yes, Missourians knew what they were voting for on paid sick time

By RICHARD VON GLAHN

Recently, Missouri state Sen. Mike Cierpiot — someone I consider to be one of the more levelheaded members of the General Assembly — penned a guest commentary in The Kansas City Star so full of conjecture and misreprentations that I confess I doubted he actually wrote it.

Guest Opinions

And you know what doesn’t expire? The $960 billion tax cut for the wealthiest. Their tax cut is forever.

Wages will fall, and tariffs will drive prices up. The average family’s energy bill will go up significantly over the next half-decade, and more than 300 rural hospitals will shutter.

‘TRANSFER

OF WEALTH’

This so-called One Big Beautiful Bill is the greatest transfer of wealth from working people to the rich in our nation’s history.

So many of our members wanted to believe that Donald Trump was different. An elite who would betray his own in favor of us for once.

This is the great betrayal.

Trump and the Republicans betrayed you and me. The billionaires and their families? They’ll be fine.

Your Letters

Opinions expressed are those of the individual – not their union.

Speak Out

Labor unions and United Way of Greater Saint Louis: Standing stronger

together in times of crisis and community need

As working families across the country face rising costs and growing uncertainty, one thing remains constant: the enduring solidarity between the AFL-CIO and the United Way. For more than 80 years, this partnership has been a powerful force for good—bringing people and resources together to build stronger, safer, more compassionate communities across the nation.

This year, that partnership has taken on an even deeper meaning.

On May 16th, devastating tornado storms swept through parts of our region, leaving families with damaged homes, lost wages, and urgent needs. In the wake of the storms, United Way of Greater St. Louis and local Labor unions mobilized swiftly to provide relief and support—connecting union members and affected neighbors with food, shelter, and emergency assistance. It is in these moments that the strength of our shared commitment shines the brightest.

As we launch the 2025 United Way of Greater St. Louis Annual Campaign, we are calling on union leaders and union members to lead once again with generosity, compassion, and unity. Together, we can continue to lift our communities—not just in times of crisis, but every single day. Here is how you can make an impact:

• Encourage union giving: Every contribution matters. Whether large or small, your gift supports vital services across 16 counties in Missouri and Illinois. The United Way of Greater St. Louis invests over $1 million every week into programs that provide food, shelter, job training, childcare, mental health care, and more.

• Serve, advocate, and volunteer: Partner with United Way and fellow union members in service projects, advocacy efforts, and disaster relief initiatives. These opportunities reflect our shared values and make a tangible difference in the lives of working families.

In it, he suggested that Missourians are unable to make an adequate assessment of our values and are somehow now incapable of responsibly exercising our rights under the citizen initiative petition process that has been part of our state’s toolkit of democracy for more than a century. He suggests that the over 210,000 Missourians who signed a petition in support of paid sick leave, and the 1.6 million-plus Missourians who voted for it shouldn’t worry about the fact that Republicans in our legislature — including him — just betrayed us and gutted the law, because they say we didn’t know what it did to begin with.

INITIATIVE PETITION PROCESS

The arrogance of such a position should infuriate every Missourian, whether they voted for it or not.

But the real concern here is that legislators, apparently including him, are now seeking to fundamentally alter and destroy Missouri’s initiative petition process. We cannot let that happen.

State Sen. Cierpiot’s argument begins with a false statement. He wrote, “Proponents of an initiative write language that accomplishes what they want,” to describe the way that ballot summaries are prepared for citizen initiatives. That simply isn’t true.

When the Missouri residents propose a law, they are dependent on the secretary of state to write the description of what the law would do, and the state auditor to describe the costs, if any. It should be noted that then-Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft — a Republican who had repeatedly been overruled by judges for writing biased language relating to initiative petitions

• Support your labor liaison: The AFL-CIO/ United Way of Greater St. Louis Labor Liaisons play a critical role—connecting union members to resources, helping families navigate tough times, and organizing volunteer and outreach opportunities that strengthen our Labor Movement’s presence in the community!

• Give to the United Way of Greater Saint Louis 2025 Annual Campaign: Your donation helps sustain a strong, expansive, vetted, and flexible safety net of 160 nonprofit agencies that serve our entire community. These organizations provide the backbone of community care, offering everything from after-school programs to housing stabilization, workforce development and readiness to disaster relief. Your continuous support ensures they are there for the next family in crisis—and for the long-term success of our region.

The events of this spring reminded us just how quickly life can change—and how

The Labor Tribune is your source for news important to working people at work everywhere.

In addition to the print edition, which is mailed to subscribing unions and union members’ homes every Thursday, highlights from the previous week’s edition are available at labortribune.com

— is the one who wrote the description of Proposition A. Ashcroft did not support Proposition A. I imagine he voted ‘no’ for it. But in this case at least, he did write a fair summary of what the law would do. Business groups that opposed the law waited until after we voted to challenge the summary as unfair. They lost unanimously at the state Supreme Court.

‘POT CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK’

The backward thing about a sitting state legislator complaining that regular people who propose initiatives write manipulative summaries is not just that it is wrong — it’s the pot calling the kettle black. There is only one group of Missourians who do get to write summaries when they propose a ballot measure: Missouri legislators.

The General Assembly’s ability to write manipulative ballot summaries is why Missourians are going to be asked if we want to reinstate the abortion ban that we just repealed this last November.

Why would we do that? Because that isn’t what the legislature wants us to believe we are voting on.

In fact, the words “ban” or “limit” don’t appear in their ballot summary at all, despite being the primary purpose of the proposed amendment. Instead, politicians’ summary focuses on health care for transgender youth — an issue that is not directly tied to abortion at all. They hope that Missourians’ perceived discomfort with gender-affirming health care will trick us into reinstating the near-total abortion ban we just overturned.

Jefferson City Republicans do themselves a grave disservice not respecting the will of their constituents on issues such as paid sick time. Politicians such as Sen. Cierpiot directly betrayed the will of their constituents, who overwhelmingly supported the law. What Missouri needs isn’t restrictions on our freedom to propose and vote on issues with popular support. What we need are lawmakers who won’t betray our votes.

(Richard Von Glahn is policy director at Missouri Jobs with Justice and served as campaign manager for Proposition A. Reprint from The Kansas City Star.)

essential it is that we stand together in support of one another. When disaster strikes, when families fall on challenging times, or when someone simply needs a helping hand, your leadership and compassion make all the difference.

We invite you to be part of this life-changing work. Together, through the strength of Labor and the mission of United Way of Greater St. Louis, we are helping people live their best possible lives.

In solidarity and service,

PAT KELLETT

President, St. Louis Labor Council, AFL-CIO United Way Labor Campaign Chair

SONJA GHOLSTON-BYRD Vice President, Labor Engagement United Way of Greater St. Louis Member, CWA Local 6300

For breaking news, recommended articles and important connections, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

To subscribe, visit us at labortribune.com and click the “Subscribe” link in the menu at the top of the homepage or email circulation@labortribune.com for prefered union pricing.

COOPER

VON GLAHN

Views from Near and Far

Labor Day offers celebrations aplenty this year

Labor Day is almost here.

The St. Louis Labor Council, Madison County Federation of Labor and Southwestern Illinois Central Labor Council have two weeks’ worth of events planned to celebrate. There’s sure to be something here for you to celebrate Labor’s big day:

• Aug. 20-23 – 2025 James Stanley Memorial Charity Softball Tournament.

All affiliated and nonaffiliated unions in St. Louis, the Metro East and surrounding areas are invited to participate in this year’s annual James Stanley Memorial Charity Softball Tournament. The winning team will be awarded the privilege of selecting the recipient of the prize money – traditionally awarded to legitimate and worthy community organizations and causes – and will receive the traveling trophy to display in their union hall. For more information, call B. Dean Webb at 618-259-8558 or 618-604-0858.

• Aug. 23 – Alton/Wood River Union Family Parade and Picnic, sponsored by the Greater Madison County Federation of Labor. Parade assembly begins at 8 a.m. at the Emerick Sports Complex parking lot and the parade will step off at 10 a.m., running south on Sixth Street, west on Ferguson and ending at N. Haller Street. The picnic

will be held at Gordon Moore Park in Alton following the parade. For more information, call B. Dean Webb at 618-259-8558 or Mike Fultz at 618-409-4314.

• Aug. 24 – St. Louis Labor Council’s 2025 Labor Parade and Festival. The parade will start at 9 a.m., beginning at the Eagen Center at 1 James J. Eagen Drive, Florissant, Mo. and ending at the Knights of Columbus Park, where the 2025 Labor Festival will be held. Many events are planned for both young and old, including the King of Trades tugo-war championship. For questions or more information on the tug-owar, call St. Louis Labor Council President Pat Kellett at 434-454-1888 or Mike Louis at 314-378-8198. For information regarding sponsorships, contact Travis Barnes at 573-631-4395 or Jennifer Conner at 314-291-7399.

WHY WAIT FOR THE MAIL?

• Sept. 1 – 45th Annual Tri-City Labor Day Parade will step off at 10 a.m. in downtown Granite City for a one-mile march to Wilson Park for the union family and friends picnic. Participants will enjoy music, speeches, food, refreshments and kids activities. Madison County Transit will provide free shuttle service starting at 8 a.m. at the park and run every 15 minutes to the start of the parade route. After the parade and picnic, the transit service will take riders back downtown as needed. For more information, contact B. Dean Webb at 618-2598558 or Eric Borg at 618-600-2094.

• Sept. 1 – Southwestern Illinois Central Labor Council Parade in downtown Belleville will step off at 10 a.m. in the fourth block of South 1st Street and end at Hough Park with the annual picnic. Vehicles should be in place between 8 and 9 a.m. and lineup will be from 9 to 10 a.m. The parade and picnic are open to union members and their families. An assortment of food, beverages, rides and games for kids will be available at the picnic. No animals of any kind are allowed at the parade or picnic. For more information, contact Southwestern Illinois Central Labor Council President Scot Luchtefeld at 618340-8300. With a digital subscription, get the Labor Tribune delivered to your inbox every Thursday morning.

Fire Fighters Local 73 donates $5K to Midwest Children’s Burn Camp

ST. LOUIS – Fire Fighters Local 73 recently donated $5,000 to support the Midwest Children’s Burn Camp. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to give back in a way that lasts far beyond the emergency,” the union shared on social media. “Thanks to everyone who came out to our annual volleyball tournament last fall—we raised $5,000 to help bring smiles, confidence and unforgettable memories to some incredible kids at the camp. Because for us, service doesn’t stop when the sirens do.” The yearly camp, run by the non-profit organization Burns Recovered Inc., is for severe burn and smoke inhalation survivors ages six to 17 and is provided free of charge. – Midwest Children’s Burn Camp photo

Online LABOR STUDIES Certificate Program

Register today! Classes start Aug. 25

The Labor Studies Certificate Program consists of six courses, each originated to provide current and future union leaders, activists and representatives the skills needed in dealing with workplace issues, changes and the economy. Today many students and workers wishing to improve their understanding of workers’ rights and develop an understanding of workplace culture also find the courses of great value.

The courses have their roots in political science, history, law and economics providing students the opportunity to improve their skills in leadership by providing them with a foundation in how business and political organizational and corporate culture function. The program is 100 percent online allowing students who are working to fit their studies in around their professional and personal lives.

Courses Offered this Fall:

• Pol Sci 3470: Negotiations, Collective Bargaining and Conflict Resolution.

• Pol Sci 3890: Workers and Globalization.

For more information on how to register, please contact Doug Swanson, the UMSL Labor Studies coordinator at (314) 516-6698 or swansondj@missouri.edu.

The University of Missouri—St. Louis

Bricklayers Annual Blood Drive a huge success

FENTON, MO – The Bricklayers and Allied Crafts Administrative District Council (BAC ADC) of Eastern Missouri’s Annual Impact Life Blood Drive, sponsored in part by the 105.7 FM Rizzuto Show, was a huge success with 39 pints of blood collected. Each pint can save up to three lives, so the event produced enough blood to save 117 people. The council represents Bricklayers Local 1 and Tilesetters Local 18 members. Here, BAC ADC Secretary-Treasurer Mike Fox Sr. gives blood at the July 24 event, which was held at the Local 1 union hall in Fenton. – BAC ADC photo

IBEW Local 1439 celebrates service awards

LABOR TRIBUNE STAFF

CONGRATULATIONS to IBEW Local 1439 Business Manager Jeremy Pour (left) on 25 years and member Joe Tharp (center) on 30 years of dedicated service to Local 1439! Celebrating the occasion with Brother Pour and Brother Tharp is Local 1439 President Chad Fletcher. – IBEW Local 1439 photo

This Week In Labor History

AUGUST 11

1884 – Federal troops drive some 1,200 jobless workers from Washington D.C. Led by unemployed activist Charles “Hobo” Kelley, the group’s “soldiers” include young journalist Jack London and William Haywood, a young miner-cowboy called “Big Bill.”

1917 – One hundred “platform men” employed by the privately owned United Railroads streetcar service in San Francisco abandon their streetcars, tying up many of the main lines in and out of the city center.

2013 – Maine lobster fishers form a local of the Machinists union as they face a 40-year low price for their catches, and other issues. By October, the New York Times reported, it had 600 members, 240 of them dues-payers.

AUGUST 12

1898 – Coal company guards kill seven, wound 40 striking miners who are trying to stop scabs, Virden, Ill.

1919 – With the news that their boss, Florenz Ziegfeld, was joining the Producing Managers’ Association, the chorus girls in his Ziegfield Follies create their own union, the Chorus Equity Association. They were helped by a big donation from superstar and former chorus girl Lillian Russell. In 1955 the union merged with the Actor’s Equity Association.

1955 – Teamsters official William Grami is kidnapped, bound and beaten near Sebastopol, Calif. He was leading a drive to organize apple plant workers in the area.

1992 – The North American Free Trade Agreement — NAFTA — is

concluded between the United States, Canada and Mexico, to take effect in January 1994, despite protests from Labor, environmental and human rights groups.

1994 – What was to become a 232day strike by major league baseball players over owners’ demands for team salary caps began on this day; 938 games were cancelled.

AUGUST 13

1892 – Striking miners at Tracy City, Tenn., capture their mines and free 300 state convict strikebreakers. The convicts had been “leased” to mineowners by officials in an effort to make prisons self-supporting and make a few bucks for the state. The practice started in 1866 and lasted for 30 years.

1936 – Newspaper Guild members begin three-month strike of Hearstowned Seattle Post-Intelligencer , shutting the publication down in their successful fight for union recognition.

1963 – Civil rights leader and union president A. Philip Randolph strongly protests the AFL-CIO Executive Council’s failure to endorse the Aug. 28 “March on Washington.”

1979 – Five construction workers are killed, 16 injured when the uncompleted roof of the Rosemont (Ill.) Horizon arena collapses.

CENTRAL BODIES

Local 399 Third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at 24 East Ferguson, Wood River, Ill.

Painters District Council 58

Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 360 Union meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at the Knights of Columbus Council 1712, One Columbus Plaza, Collinsville, IL 62234.

Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 101

Union Meetings will be held on the 4th Wednesday of the month except December, which will be held on the 3rd Wednesday. The meetings will be held at the Local 101 Hall located at 8 Premier Drive in Belleville, IL 62220 at 7:30 p.m.

Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 160

Union meetings are on the second Friday of the month at 8 p.m. at the hall, 901 Mulberry Street, Murphysboro, Ill. 62966.

Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 553 First Tuesday of each month September through May, 7 p.m., 967 East Airline Dr., East Alton, IL 62024.

Sheet Metal Workers Local 268

Caseyville Meetings: Fourth Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Sheet Metal Workers’ Hall, 2701 N. 89th Street, Caseyville, Ill. 62232. Southern counties: Meetings will be held at 6 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at the training center, 13963 Route 37, Johnston City, Ill.

Steamfitters Local 439

Meets first Wednesday of each month, 7:30 p.m. in the Donald Bailey Building, 1220 Donald Bailey Dr., Caseyville, Ill. 62232-2061.

AUGUST 14

1935 – President Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act, providing, for the first time ever, guaranteed income for retirees and creating a system of unemployment benefits.

1980 – Members of the upstart Polish union Solidarity seize the Lenin shipyard in Gdansk. Sixteen days later the government officially recognizes the union. Many consider the event the beginning of the end for the Iron Curtain.

AUGUST 15

1914 – The Panama Canal opens after 33 years of construction and an estimated 22,000 worker deaths, mostly caused by malaria and yellow fever. The 51-mile canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

1935 – Populist social commentator Will Rogers killed in a plane crash, Point Barrow, Alaska. One of his many classic lines: “I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.”

1971 – President Richard M. Nixon announces a 90-day freeze on wages, prices and rents in an attempt to combat inflation.

1989 – Gerry Horgan, chief steward of CWA Local 1103 and NYNEX striker in Valhalla, N.Y., is struck on the picket line by a car driven by the daughter of a plant manager and dies the following day. What was to become a four-month strike over healthcare benefits was in its second week.

2008 – Eight automotive department employees at a Walmart near Ottawa won an arbitrator-imposed contract after voting for UFCW representation, becoming the giant retailer’s only location in North America with a collective bargaining agreement. Two months later the company closed the department. Three years earlier Walmart had closed an entire store on the same day the government announced an arbitrator would impose a contract agreement there.

AUGUST 16

1894 – George Meany, plumber, first AFL-CIO president, born in City Island, Bronx. In his official biography, George Meany and His Times, he said he had “never walked a picket line in his life.” He also said he took part in only one strike (against the United States government to get higher pay for plumbers on welfare jobs). Yet, he also firmly said that “You only make progress by fighting for progress.” Meany served as secretary-treasurer of the AFL from 1940 to 1952, succeeded as president of the AFL, and then continued as president of the AFL-CIO following the historic merger in 1955 until

How to identify fugitive Democrats

(Satire from the Borowitz Report)

By Texas Governor Greg Abbott

My fellow Americans:

As you may know, 51 cowardly Democrat legislators are on the run from Texas. They are shirking their duty to rid our glorious state of the representative government that has plagued us for far too long.

These Democrats could be anywhere. They could be in your town. They could be hiding under your bed. More likely, they are at a farmer’s market, selecting artisanal pickles.

The following are tips to help you identify Democrats in your midst:

• Democrats are often seen carrying tote bags featuring the logos of PBS, NPR, Doctors Without Borders and other subversive organizations.

• Democrats can be found in Starbucks, ordering beverages with oat milk, or salads with quinoa. (Note: Democrats are the only people who like quinoa.)

• Democrats do not eat cats and dogs, but they do rescue them.

• Someone driving a car with a bumper sticker that says RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES could be a Democrat, but it could also be a member of QAnon. If the car stereo is playing Bruce Springsteen, it’s a Democrat.

If you see someone with any of these identifying characteristics, remember: Democrats are dangerous. Some may be armed with concealed pocket Constitutions.

To help bring these fugitives to justice, immediately report your sighting to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. He will be standing by at one of his three primary residences.

God Bless America, Gov. Greg Abbott

Rosemont Horizon arena collapse in Illinois, 1979

of Events Calendar

AUGUST

Aug. 20-23 – James Stanley Memorial Charity Softball Tournament, sponsored by the Greater Madison County Federation of Labor. All affiliated and non-affiliated union from St. Louis, the Metro East and surrounding areas are invited to participate. $400 per team is due before the captains’ meeting held Aug. 13. The winning team will be awarded the privilege of selecting the recipient of the prize money – traditionally awarded to legitimate and worthy community organizations and causes – and will receive the traveling trophy to display in their union hall. For more information, call B. Dean Webb at 618-259-8558 or 618-604-0858.

Aug. 21 – Suicide Postvention in the Construction Industry Seminar, sponsored by Aetna and co-produced by the Missouri Works Initiative and the Construction Forum, will be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562 Training Center, 3755 Corporate Trail Drive in Earth City. The free seminar, open to all union members and representatives, includes a complimentary breakfast. To register, visit constructforstl.org/

upcoming-events/mental-healthin-the-public-labor-industry/

Aug. 21 – Missouri Women in Trades (MOWIT) Meetup for tradeswomen and women interested in joining the building trades, 4 to 6 p.m. at the AGC Training Center, 6301 Knox Industrial Ave. in St. Louis. RSVPs are required and food will be provided. Register at mowit.org or call 636-926-6948.

Aug. 21 – St. Louis Faith Labor Alliance Breakfast, hosted by Missouri Jobs with Justice (MOJWJ), will be held at the Painters District Council 58 union hall at 2501 59th St. in St. Louis from 7:30 to 9 a.m. For more information, contact The Rev. Teresa Danieley, of MOJWJ, at teresa@ mojwj.org or call her at 314-5037415. To register, visit mojwj.org/ action/join-a-st-louis-faith-laboralliance-breakfast

Aug. 23 – Alton/Wood River Union Family Parade and Picnic, sponsored by the Greater Madison County Federation of Labor. Parade assembly begins at 8 a.m. at the Emerick Sports Com-

BANKING MATTERS

plex parking lot, and the parade will step off at 10 a.m., running south on Sixth Street, west on Ferguson and ending at N. Haller Street. The picnic will be held at Gordon Moore Park in Alton following the parade. For more information, call B. Dean Webb at 618-259-8558 or Mike Fultz at 618-409-4314.

Aug. 24 – St. Louis Labor Council’s 2025 Labor Parade and Festival. The parade will start at 9 a.m., beginning at the Eagen Center at 1 James J. Eagen Drive, Florissant, Mo. and ending at the Knights of Columbus Park, where the 2025 Labor Festival will be held. Many events are planned for both young and old, including the King of Trades Tug-of-War.

Aug. 26 – United Way Annual Night at the Ballpark begins at 6:45 p.m. at Busch Stadium, 700 Clark Ave. in St. Louis between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburg Pirates. A $23 ticket includes a jumbo hot dog and soda, and a portion of each ticket will benefit the United Way of Greater St. Louis Community Campaign. To buy tickets, visit mlb.com/cardinals/ tickets/specials/united-way

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 1 – 45th Annual Tri-City Labor Day Parade will step off at 10 a.m. in downtown Granite City for a one-mile march to Wilson Park for the union family and friends picnic. Participants will enjoy music, speeches, food, refreshments and kids activi-

ties. Madison County Transit will provide free shuttle service starting at 8 a.m. at the park and run every 15 minutes to the start of the parade route. After the parade and picnic, the transit service will take riders back downtown as needed. For more information, contact B. Dean Webb at 618-259-8558 or Eric Borg at 618-600-2094.

Sept. 1 – Southwestern Illinois Central Labor Council Parade  in downtown Belleville will step off at 10 a.m. in the fourth block of South 1st Street and end at Hough Park with the annual picnic. Lineup will begin at 8 a.m. The parade and picnic are open to union members and their families. An assortment of food, beverages, rides and games for kids will be available at the picnic. No animals of any kind are allowed at the parade or picnic. For more information, contact Southwestern Illinois Central Labor Council President Scot Luchtefeld at 618-340-8300.

Sept. 13 – The Second Annual Franklin County Labor/ Political Committee Union Picnic will start at 1p.m. at Union City Park Pavilion, 500 West Park Ave., Union, Mo. The event is open to every union member and their family in Franklin County and will include a bounce house and playground for the kids. Food, chips and drinks provided. Celebrate camaraderie and brotherhood with other union members and meet AFLCIO union-endorsed candidates.

Sept. 17 – Electrical Workers Minority Caucus Greater St. Louis Chapter Meet & Greet will be held from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Henry Miller Museum at 2726 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in St. Louis. The event will include food, drinks, union comaraderie and a tour of the museum. For more information, email greaterstl. EWMC@gmail.com

Sept. 18 – Missouri Women in Trades (MOWIT) Meetup for tradeswomen and women interested in joining the building trades, 4 to 6 p.m. at the AGC Training Center, 6301 Knox Industrial Ave. in St. Louis. RSVPs are required and food will be provided. Register at mowit.org or call 636-926-6948.

Sept 18 – St. Louis Faith Labor Alliance Breakfast, hosted by Missouri Jobs with Justice (MOJWJ), will be held at the Painters District Council 58 union hall at 2501 59th St. in St. Louis from 7:30 to 9 a.m. For more information, contact The Rev. Teresa Danieley, of MOJWJ, at teresa@mojwj.org or call her at 314503-7415. To register, visit mojwj. org/action/join-a-st-louis-faithlabor-alliance-breakfast

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Have something for the Calendar?

Send it to Sheri Gassaway at Labor Tribune, 301 S. Ewing Ave. St. Louis, MO 63101 or email sheri@labortribune.com

Smart Saving Strategies for Back-to-School and Beyond

By WES BURNS Executive Vice President of Community and Economic Development

As summer winds down and back-to-school season ramps up, many working families are facing the familiar financial squeeze that comes with a new school year. Rising costs on everything from school supplies to tuition add to the pressure.

This season isn’t just about getting kids ready for the school year — it’s also a great time to prepare for what comes next. Whether your child’s path includes a trade school, an apprenticeship, community college, or a four-year university, utilizing both short-term and long-term saving strategies can make those dreams a reality.

Managing Today’s Expenses: Back-to-School

Budgeting

• Start with a Realistic Budget

Begin by listing essential categories: supplies, clothing and shoes, technology, and extracurriculars. Separate needs from wants and set a spending cap for each. A clear plan helps prevent impulse buys and keeps your budget on track.

• Take Advantage of Seasonal Savings Watch for back-to-school sales, shop around for the best prices, and plan ahead for your state’s sales tax holiday. While Missouri’s 2025 tax-free weekend has already passed, it’s good to keep in mind for next year. If tech items are on your list, consider waiting to buy until Black Friday or Cyber Monday if you can hold off.

• Use Tech to Stay on Track

Budgeting apps like Mint or EveryDollar can help you monitor spending. Browser extensions like Honey or Rakuten can find coupon codes and discounts automatically when shopping online.

• Shop with Your Kids

Back-to-school shopping is a great way to teach kids financial basics. Let younger children compare prices and count change. Give older kids a set amount and let them manage their list. If they want something extra — like a specific backpack or shoes — encourage them to save toward it. These small steps build lifelong money skills.

Planning for Future Education: Savings Plans

There are many options for long-term education savings. A fantastic place to start is opening a Midwest BankCentre youth savings account. These accounts earn 5.01% annual percentage yield (APY) on the first $1,000.* And with only $5 required to open and no minimum balance or monthly fees, they are perfect for young savers.

Another excellent option is a 529 plan, a tax-advantaged savings account specifically for education. Your money grows tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified education expenses are tax-free too. Be sure to talk to your tax professional to understand the specific advantages and disadvantages of 529 plans.

No matter what savings strategies you choose, be sure to start early and stay consistent. Even small amounts add up over time. Treat education like any other recurring expense — like rent, car payments, or utility bills — and consider automating monthly contributions from your paycheck or bank account. This approach makes saving more manageable and less overwhelming.

Teaching Financial Literacy

Saving for education is also a great opportunity to teach your children about money management and financial responsibility. In addition to back-to-school shopping, include your kids in age-appropriate conversations about saving, investing, and goal-setting. Encourage them to deposit money they receive from gifts, allowance, or jobs into their youth savings account. Explain how saving today helps them avoid debt in the future. When kids understand the “why,” they’re more motivated to plan and succeed.

A Smarter Way to Approach School Costs

Back-to-school budgeting sets your family up for success today. Long-term planning and saving prepares your child for tomorrow.

Taking even one step in each area — setting a back-toschool budget and opening or contributing to a youth savings account — can make a meaningful difference. Education opens doors, and financial preparation gives your child the confidence and support to walk through them.

At Midwest BankCentre, we’re here to help working families like yours make the most of every dollar. Whether you’re saving for calculators or college, we’re proud to stand beside you to help you reach your goals.

*Youth Savings is a tiered, interest-bearing savings account. The annual percentage yield for this tier will range from 5.01% to 0.10%, depending on the balance in the account. Rate is effective as of 08/01/2025. Rates are variable and

AFT 420 may be moving for vote of no confidence against St. Louis Public Schools superintendent

St. Louis – American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 420, the union representing teachers and other staff at St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS), is calling on SLPS Superintendent Millicent Borishade to negotiate with the union and meet with parents and staff to forge a plan for opening schools following the May 16 tornado that devastated north St. Louis.

“Does St. Louis need a rogue superintendent?” asks a flyer sent to members Local 420. “While St. Louis Public Schools are moving in the right direction, the superintendent is moving in the wrong direction. She is not following the Missouri Constitution which compels her to meet and negotiate with authorized union representatives.”

Several teachers said they were told the union is laying the groundwork for an upcoming vote of no confidence against Borishade.

‘ALL HANDS ON DECK’

The union has called on the city schools’ administration to call for

A

an “All Hands On Deck’” action for the opening of schools ahead of the scheduled start of school on Aug. 18.

Local 420 President Ray Cummings says that parents and families are still recovering from the trauma and very real suffering and criticized Borishade recently over her plan for relocating students and staff from tornado-damaged schools and releasing a report proposing the closure of more than half the district’s schools due to declining enrollment.

“Our members are very concerned about the superintendent’s response to school opening,” Cummings said. “The closing schools study is not a plan and does not reassure parents.”

‘NO EMPATHY’

The flyer distributed by the union accuses Borishade of “showing no empathy for our Black community recently rocked by the May 16 tornado by announcing the possible closure of at least 30 schools in the same community” and “spreading seeds of instability of SLPS just weeks before school should start.”

St. Louis Company Since 1981

Cummings has proposed the district invest in advertising and communications, related to school opening. He has also suggested paying employees to man a phone bank and for teachers to call parents to make sure kids can get to school at the start of the new semester.

‘PARENTS ARE SUFFERING’

“It just makes senses that you get the word out,” Cumming said. “Parents are suffering out there, and they need to feel like we’re in their corner.”

Union spokesperson Byron Clemens said the union is also working on a five-year plan for education in St. Louis which anticipates a trade high school, full-service community schools and housing for unhoused families as opposed to simply closing schools.

The flyer also provides a number to call the board of education calling for Borishade to meet with the unions to discuss improving student safety, attendance and test scores. That number is 314-231-3720.

said. “Please say a prayer for our IBEW family and our sister locals.

Our linemen are very tight between the locals. A friend of mine said ‘Midwest locals are the best, it’s not a number thing, it’s regional thing.’ ”

The following day, one of Curry’s friends posted a tribute video to the late lineman on Facebook. Curry’s brother Cole is a Local 309 member, and both his father and mother were also in IBEW.

“This is a great IBEW family that needs our support,” Hankins wrote.

“(This) tribute video for Cody Curry really lets us know the kind of work our lineman do. Continued prayers and support for the Curry family and all his brothers and sisters that mourn his passing.”

ON-SITE

GRIEF COUNSELING

J.F. Electric, Inc., which is a signatory contractor to IBEW locals 1, 309 and 702, released a statement following the accident saying it was

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providing on-site grief counseling.

“Our thoughts are with their loved ones, colleagues and all affected by this loss,” the statement said in part. “We are providing support to our employees, including on-site grief counseling and remain focused on caring for our team during this difficult time.”

‘SADDENED’

St. Louis utility company Ameren also released a statement verifying that a contractor and subcontractor were killed in the incident.

“We are saddened about today’s tragic incident,” Ameren said in a statement to KSDK-TV. “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the victims’ families and colleagues. We will cooperate with the investigation.”

Local 702 Business Manager Steve Hughart was unavailable for comment.

View the tribute video at facebook. com/reel/1172457058261909

Golf Tournaments

Coming to Your Area

Union and worker-friendly golf tournaments

Area unions and union-friendly organizations are hosting the following fundraising and charity golf tournaments. To have your tournament listed, contact Editorin-Chief Tim Rowden at  tim@ labortribune.com, or mail your information to  Labor Tribune, 301 S. Ewing Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 63103.

Aug. 23 – Glaziers Local 513 Charity Fund Golf Tournament to benefit St. Crisis Nursery will tee-off with an 8 a.m. four-person scramble shotgun start at Florissant Golf Club, 50 Country Club Lane, Florissant, Mo. 63033. Entry fee of $450 per team includes lunch, cart, green fees, beer, soda and water. Lunch only tickets are $25. Skins can be purchased for $20 per team. There will also be raffles

and a 50/50 drawing as well as prizes awarded for closest to the pin for both men and women and prizes for A, B and C flight winners. Hole sponsorships are $150. Beverage cart sponsorships are $350. Lunch sponsorship is $700. Interested sponsors should email admin@glaziers513. org. Make checks payable to Glaziers Charity Golf Classic, 5916 Wilson Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 63110.

Sept. 11 – Laborers Local 42 Veterans Committee Top Golf Tournament to support veterans’ groups will take place between 12 and 3 p.m. at Top Golf, 16851 N. Outer 40 Road, Chesterfield, Mo. 63005. Support levels range from $300 to $4,000. Donations support Local 42 Veterans Committee, The Kaufman Fund, Focus Marines, Memorial

Gardens, Wounded Warrior Project and others. All donations are tax deductible based on the fair market value of attendance. Registration deadline is Aug. 15. Make checks payable and mail to: Local 42, Attn. Veterans Committee Top Golf Event, 301 S. Ewing, St. Louis, Mo. 63103. For more information, call 314-531-1187l.

Sept. 12 – IBEW Local 309 Annual PAC Golf Tournament will begin with a 9 a.m fourperson scramble shotgun start at Belk Park, 880 Belk Park Road, Wood River, Ill. 62095. Entry fee of $450 per team includes cart, green fees, food, beer, soda, Mulligans and skins. Hole sponsorships are $150. Prizes will be awarded for attendance, Closest to the Hole, Longest Drive and first place in two flights. Make checks payable to IBEW Local 309, 2000A Mall Street, Collinsville, Ill. 62234. For more information, contact Steve Duft at the union office at 618-345-5112, ext. 207.

Sept. 13 – Machinists Lodge

41 Charity Golf Tournament supporting IAM Veterans Service Program will begin with a four-person scramble shotgun start at 10 a.m. at Lockhaven Golf Club, 10872 Lawrence Keller Dr., Godfrey, Ill. 62035. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. Entry fee is $450 per team and includes lunch, dinner and beer provided, and a $10,000 hole in one contest. Hole sponsorships are available for $100 on the box or $150 on the box and green. Make checks payable to IAMAW Veterans L 41 and mail to Mark Grzechowiak, treasurer, 12365 St. Charles Rock Road, Bridgeton, Mo. 63044. The deadline

to enter is Sept. 6. For more information, Contact Mark Grzechowiak at 636-293-8213 or email iamprogressivelodge41@gmail.com

Sept. 13 – IBEW Local 1439’s 29th Annual Tom Kraus Memorial Golf Tournament begins with a 1:30 p.m. shotgun start, four-person scramble at Forest Park Golf Course, 5595 Grand Drive in St. Louis. The entry fee is $125 per individual or $500 for a four-person team and includes the cart, green fees, donuts, juice, coffee and lunch. Skins and mulligans will be available. Prizes awarded for closest to the hole and first and second place in A, B and C flights. Sponsorships range from $100 to $5,000. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Super Sam Foundation – Fighting Childhood Cancer. Make checks payable to IBEW Local 1439 and mail with entry form to IBEW Local 1439, 2121 59th St., St. Louis, Mo. 63110. For more information, call 314-644-6111.

Sept. 18 – Missouri AFL-CIO Golf Tournament will begin with a 9 a.m. registration and 10 a.m. tee-off at Oak Hills Golf Center in Jefferson City Mo. Entry fee for a Silver Sponsorship is $600 and includes golf for four with a cart, a chance to win closest to the pin and longest drive, as well as attendance prizes, food and beverages. Other sponsorships range from $300 to $2,500. All proceeds go toward member education. Deadline for entries is Sept. 1. Make checks payable to Missouri AFL-CIO and mail to Attn: Jake Hummel, 131 E. High Street, Suite 100, Jefferson City, Mo.

65101. For more information call Matt Troesser at 573-634-2115.

Sept. 19 – Monroe County Democratic Party’s Golf Classic will begin with a 6:30 a.m. registration and 7:30 a.m. fourperson scramble shotgun start at Acorns Golf Course in Waterloo, Ill. Entry fee is $85 per golfer or $340 per team. Hole sponsorships are $150 and event sponsorships are $400. Prizes awarded for attendance, longest drive and closest to the pin. Event limited to the first 36 teams to pay. Make checks payable to Monroe County Democratic Central Committee and mail to Central Committee, P.O. Box 294, Columbia, Ill. 62236. For more information, call 618-616-4590 or 618-550-9623.

Sept. 25 – St. Louis Port Council Golf Outing and awards program honoring St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer, Comptroller Donna Baringer and Lt. Col. Lawrence O’Toole, executive director of The BackStoppers. Registration begins at 10 a.m., followed by an 11 a.m. lunch and a noon shotgun start. Hole sponsorships are $200 each, Premier Sponsorships are $950, and Platinum Sponsorships are $1,250. Dinner and open bar only attendees are $100 per person. Skins game is $20 per team. A 50/50 drawing and prize raffle are also included. Make checks payable to St. Louis Port Council and mail to St. Louis Port Council, MTD, AFLCIO, c/o Bryan Powell, Secretary-Treasurer, P.O. Box 22108, St. Louis, Mo. 63116. For more information, call Courtney 314-752-6500.

Calls decision ‘another clear example of retaliation’

Washington – The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest union representing 320,000 employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), expressed outrage last week after Veterans Administration (VA)

Secretary Doug Collins notified the union he was “implementing” Executive Order (EO) 14251 by terminating the master collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between VA and the AFGE National VA Council.

President Donald Trump signed the EO in March nixing the collective bargaining rights for many federal workers in the name of national security.

The VA’s decision last week followed a federal appellate court ruling that lifted a lower court ban on the ending of union contracts. However, the Trump administration had issued guidance prior to the ruling that agencies should not terminate any collective bargaining agreements until litigation challenging the order is over.

AFGE National President Everett Kelley said the VA’s decision to proceed – like Trump’s March EO – was in retaliation for AFGE members speaking out against the administration.

AFGE outraged after VA terminates collective bargaining agreement

The department’s announcement included attacks on union activities and leadership, the New York Times reported. Collins statement argued that the “unions that represent V.A. employees fight against the best interests of veterans while protecting and rewarding bad workers.”

“Secretary Collins’ decision to rip up the negotiated union contract for majority of its workforce is another clear example of retaliation against AFGE members for speaking out against the illegal, antiworker, and anti-veteran policies of this administration,” Kelley said.

WHO IS AFFECTED?

The letter from the VA notified AFGE that except for police officers, fire fighters and security guards, “VA no longer recognizes AFGE as the exclusive representative of any other VA bargaining unit employee,” including nurses, doctors, benefits specialists, housekeepers, electricians, painters, food service workers, lawyers, dentists, pharmacists, crisis responders, mental health specialists, cemetery work-

ers, janitors, and more.”

RETALIATION

“The real reason Collins wants AFGE out of the VA is because we have successfully fought against disastrous, anti-veteran recommendations from the Asset Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission which would have shut down several rural VA hospitals and clinics,

opposed the Trump administration’s plan dismantle veteran health care through the cutting of 83,000 jobs, and consistently educated the American people about how private, for-profit veteran healthcare is more expensive and results in worse outcomes for veterans,” Kelley added. “We don’t apologize for protecting veteran healthcare and will continue to fight for our

members and the veterans they care for.”

INCONSISTENT WITH OPM GUIDANCE

Additionally, Collins’ decision is inconsistent with Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance which instructs agencies “not to terminate any CBAs until the conclusion of litigation,” and is contrary to recent administration representations in court that union contracts were not being terminated.

AFGE said it is assessing its options to challenge Secretary Collins’ decision and restore members’ union rights.

WHY WAIT FOR THE MAIL?

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Discover Fishing

Redistricting

“In our red states, we will fight for fair maps and strongly stand against the corrupt political actions in Texas, because we know any one of us could be next.

“If people are robbed of their voting rights in Texas and this corruption is allowed to grow, if Trump keeps his control of Congress, it will mean working people will pay the price. We urge every person of conscience to speak out, put workers over billionaires, and fight back alongside us.”

The statement was signed by:

• Rick Levy, Texas AFL-CIO president,

• Tim Drea, Illinois AFL-CIO president,

• Jacob Hummel, Missouri AFL-CIO president,

• Lorena Gonzalez, California Federation of Labor Unions president,

• Kimberly Holdridge, Florida AFL-CIO Interim president,

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• Mario Cilento, New York State AFL-CIO president,

• Tim Burga, Ohio AFL-CIO president, and

• April Sims, Washington State Labor Council (WSLC), AFL-CIO president.

Democratic lawmakers in Texas have fled to Democratic strongholds in Illinois and California to prevent a quorum from forming in Texas to push through the redistricting scheme.

States including Florida, Missouri, and Ohio could be targeted next by the Trump Administration if mid-decade redistricting efforts succeed in Texas. Meanwhile, leaders in California, Illinois, New York, and Washington have vowed to fight the redistricting scheme.

MISSOURI

Missouri Republicans are currently considering redrawing the state’s congressional lines to add another GOP House seat – target -

ing Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver’s Kansas City-based district.

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe, a Republican, said he was open to the idea in an interview with Fox 2 News, questioning whether Missouri is properly represented in Washington, D.C., and what state Republicans can do support President Trump’s agenda.

Kehoe “will always consider options” which “provide congressional districts that best represent Missourians,” his spokesperson Gabby Picard wrote in a statement to POLITICO

The Missouri Independent quoted Senate President Pro Tem Cindy O’Laughlin from an interview with a Columbia radio station, saying it was “likely” that Gov. Kehoe would call a special session. Democrats who spoke with the Missouri Independent indicated the move a foregone conclusion. In a separate statement to

WHY WAIT FOR THE MAIL?

POLITICO , O’Laughlin said “no decision has been made” yet, but that if Kehoe calls a special session “the Senate will be ready to engage in those discussions.”

During an Aug. 3 episode of Hancock & Kelley on FOX 2, Republican consultant John Hancock and Democratic consultant Michael Kelley said the push to redraw districts across Missouri and the country goes against the spirit of its intended purpose, and warned Republicans that the move could backfire in the long run.

ILLINOIS

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker accused Trump and Texas Republicans of “cheating” by attempting to redraw maps halfway through a census cycle.

“The cheating here is the fact that we are midstream in 2025, and they want to rewrite the map, and for only one reason,” he said. “The cult leader of their party tells them to do it because he knows he’s go-

ing to lose control of the House of Representatives” after the midterm elections.

Pritzker could call a special session of the Illinois General Assembly this month to look at redistricting, however, redrawing the state’s congressional districts to make them even more in favor of Democrats would be difficult, both practically and politically. Illinois last redistricted in 2021 to give more seats to Democrats, who now hold 14 of the state’s 17 congressional seats.

However, Pritzker noted, Illinois redistricted following the last census, as is traditional, not middecade ahead of a midterm election, as is being attempted in Texas.

“We passed a map in Illinois that follows the Constitution, and that is not what Gov. Abbott is trying to do in Texas,” Pritzker said. “We believe that the people of Texas deserve to have fair representation and not to have the game changed in the middle of the decade.”

LOOK FOR THEM — THEY’RE EVERYWHERE

THE DISTINCTIVE CONSUMER EMBLEMS of Organized Labor have played leading roles in our economic

the millions of union members and the general public have recognized the importance of these emblems by looking for them when purchasing products and services.

ELECTRICAL WORKERS

Downstate Illinois

LOCAL UNION #309, AFL-CIO Collinsville, Illinois and Vicinity Office: 2000 Mall Street (Route 157) Collinsville, Ill. 62234 STEAMFITTERS

John Garrett, President

Tyler Mueth, Vice President

David Rhymer, Recording Secretary

Jason McIntyre, Treasurer Chris Hankins, Business Manager Dustin Grice, Organizer

Executive Board Members

Jacob Albers, Adam Biagi, Stephen Erspamer, Brian Hutson, Steve Lodes, Michael Meinhardt, Andrew Reibold, Ron Scott

Asst. Business Managers Steve Duft, Mark Link, Carlos Perez

Examining Board Members

Jeremy Carron

Josh Jenkins

Josh Stewart Joe Varvera

Laborers' District Council

Dustin Ramage, Business Manager

Greg Stimac, Secretary-Treasurer

618/234-2704 FAX: 618/234-2721 19 Gateway Drive, Collinsville, Ill. 62234 www.downstatelaborers.org

ELECTRICAL WORKERS

Local #649, AFL-CIO

RYAN MOUSER Business Manager

COREY DODSON, President (618) 462-1627

3945 Humbert Road, Alton, Ill. 62002

From page 1

media reports that Boeing was offering 40-percent raises to all its

COMPANY CONFUSION

Boeing put this statement on its website Aug. 3: “We’re disappointed our employees rejected an offer that featured 40-percent average wage growth....”

Meanwhile, the company is putting out public contract comparisons stating that they are offering an average 20-percent raise to workers – eight percent in the first year and four percent each year after.

“The raises aren’t across the board, and many members are capped at making only 12 percent over four years,” one member told the Labor Tribune

TO HELP

District 837 President/Directing Business Representative Tom Boelling could not be reached for comment, but the union has requested that any items for the strike lines, including water, Gatorade and snacks, be dropped off at the Local 837 union hall at 212 Utz Lane in Hazelwood.

“We can’t say enough how much we appreciate all of the public support,” the union shared on social media. “We are in this fight together.”

Notices

From page 1

Outdoor Guide

Hunting, Fishing, Camping, Boating, Outdoor Travel

Safety first when spending a summer day boating

By BRANDON BUTLER Driftwood Outdoors

A recent pontoon boat rental at Lake of Ozarks has left me longing for more lake days. Pulling a boat into a cove, anchoring off, and spending the heat of the day floating around in the water with a group of friends is a top option for spending summer days outside. We swam, cruised around, pulled into a restaurant for food, and spent the afternoon relaxing. As much fun as we had, it was also clear danger does exist on the water. If you’re going out on a boat, be sure to stay safe and use caution.

The Midwest is home to countless lakes and rivers perfect for a relaxing day of fun in the sun on the water. Everyone wants you to enjoy your time on the water, including law enforcement. I have never spoken with an officer of the law who didn’t want people to have a good time. They just want you to do so in a safe manner while following the rules, so you and the people around you have the greatest likelihood of avoiding any kind of accident. Expect officers to be patrolling the reservoirs and rivers making sure users are following the law.

BOATING LAWS

There are many laws that come with being a responsible boater. One of the most important is not operating a motorboat while intoxicated. It’s easy to drink too much on a hot summer day when you’re out having fun and swimming without realizing you’ve consumed more than the legal limit. If you plan on drinking, make sure there is someone with you legally capable of operating the watercraft who isn’t drinking. Otherwise, your fun day outside could turn into a horrible night in jail.

Aside from not operating a motorboat under the influence of alcohol, there are other important laws you must follow on waterways. Obey marker buoys and idle zone restriction areas, use navigational lights and anchor lights between sunset and sunrise, and obey the speed limits.

LIFE JACKETS

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, there were 17 boating fatalities and 77 injuries from recreational boating crashes in 2022. This was a decrease from 2021, which saw 28 fatalities. A number of these fatalities were

the result of drowning. A life jacket would have saved some of these unfortunate folks. With a little care and caution, we could see a greatly reduced number of boating related fatalities. Reducing this number would be easy if more boaters would simply wear a life jacket. Accidents on the water usually

happen fast. Leaving no time to reach for and put on a life jacket that is likely stowed away under a seat. To be safe, you need to be wearing your life jacket, especially when the watercraft is moving. If you have children in your boat, consider keeping a life jacket on them at all times. Another important rule of thumb is to never pull

someone behind your boat without having a spotter. You always need to keep a pair of eyes on the person being towed.

BOATER EDUCATION

In Missouri, anyone born after Jan. 1, 1984 must have a Boater Education Card to legally operate a boat. The state has resources to help you be a safer boater. The Missouri Boating Guide is available online at boat-ed.com/missouri/handbook. Hard copies are available at most marinas. Check with your state to see if a boaters license is required.

From Lake of the Ozarks to the Mississippi River to Lake Monroe and the Great Lakes, the Midwest is blessed with boating opportunities. Undoubtedly, there is a lake or river near you. Take advantage of these wonderful waters. Doing so is a benefit of living in the Heartland. Just make sure you take the proper precautions and operate your watercraft safely while obeying the law.

See you down the trail… (For more Driftwood Outdoors, check out the podcast on  www. driftwoodoutdoors.com  or anywhere podcasts are streamed.)

SPENDING A SUMMER DAY on the water is fun and enjoyable, as long as safety is first and foremost.

Outdoor Guide

Fishing is like a box of chocolates

By LARRY DABLEMONT

Fishing is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get … and often you’d just as soon it was different than what you ended up with. That’s what happened to me this past week.

On a day that I figgered I would catch the farr out of ’em – I didn’t. But I started out with great anticipation. Casting nothing more than a twirly-tailed, yellow plastic jig with a lead head, I laid into a hard-fighting fish that arced my rod like he was a slab-sided, black-bellied, frog-eater. He stayed deep and pulled like a roped goat! I guess that’s what told me I didn’t have a bass. A bass would come up and woller around on the surface a little, and maybe even jump clean out of the water. This fish that had grabbed my little eighth-ounce jig just stayed down and pulled with determination… which led me to hope he just might be a walleye. That was it, I told myself as I let him pull line against the drag of my spinning reel... I had a big walleye, likely six or seven pounds. In the depths beneath my boat I saw it finally, a white and pink- sided lunker, far different in color than what a gold-sided walleye would be. I fought that fish for a good five or six minutes. He was almost two feet long and too big to lift over the side of the boat with six-pound line, so I netted him and let it flop around for a moment as I cast aspersions upon her! She was a doggone egg-filled drum! But for an angler who is only interested in fighting a big fish, a six- or seven-pound drum is not too great a problem.

ANOTHER ONE!

I can only add to this story that I was mostly trying to catch some white bass and never saw a one for the next two hours. But the story is not over. Two hours later I hooked another big drum, a good four pounds in weight, and had another tussle worth the trip up the river. This time I was more prepared when my walleye turned into a 20-inch drum. But when you have fished for two hours for nothing but two drum you aren’t exactly whistling and grinning about your good luck.

HYBRID BASS

Then something happened that made the whole trip worth it. I was just sitting in my boat taking my drum-tempting yellow jig off to put on a little crank bait when suddenly there was a big splash out in the middle of the river. Bass do that.

Drum don’t. So what I did was, I threw that crank bait out about where the rings were spreading out in the water and that bass nailed it. It was a grand struggle, him taking off with my crank bait and several feet of line and me enjoying the bend of the rod and the whine of the reel. It was a bass all right, and I got to see him come up and jump out of the water trying to throw the hooks. I got my net beneath him, an 18-inch beauty that was half smallmouth and half spotted (Kentucky) bass. You can see a color picture of the rascal on my website, larrydablemontoutdoors.com

HANDGUNS SHOTGUNS

I don’t like that hybridation but it is seen often in some waters where the southern spotted bass has been introduced. Most fishermen who catch one don’t realize what it is, but there is a smooth tongue on a true smallmouth and on the hybrid you will see spots on the belly, a raspy patch on the tongue and the red eye of the smallmouth.

Well anyway that was the last fish. A three-fish day over three or four hours of fishing isn’t something to brag about when you are an outdoor writer, but the afternoon was a boatload of treasure for me because I love being out there on the river by myself, fish or no fish. I shared the time with a pair of eagles and a mink and I thanked God for time I got to spend there. I always do.

A warning about tick-borne diseases

My daughter Lori Jean, who is a doctor at Missouri State University, is very alarmed about increasing numbers of tick diseases amongst her patients. She asks me to use a tick repellent on my boots and pants when I am outdoors. That is something I have not often done, but the urgency in her voice concerning the Alpha-Gal syndrome spread by the Lone Star ticks makes me inclined to follow her advice. It makes one allergic to red meat and has caused deaths in the Ozarks.

I have produced a 110-page summer magazine, which carries a two-page article about tick diseases written by Lori. You need to read that article. I have about 100 of that magazine left to distribute. To get one postpaid, send $7 to Lightnin’ Ridge Magazine , Box 22, Bolivar, Mo. 65613. Or you can get one by calling my office, 417-777-5227. The magazine has lots of great outdoor stories in it that I think you will enjoy. But that article by my doctordaughter will give you information you need to know about tick-borne diseases.

Larry Dablemont

Outdoor Guide

Hunting, Fishing, Camping, Boating, Outdoor Travel

Conservation Corner

By DAN ZARLENGA

Missouri Department of Conservation

As you enjoy the outdoors during the warm months of August, sooner

or later you’ll likely experience an encounter with a pesky mosquito. On what might seem an unrelated topic, have you ever wondered how the founders of the settlement that would become St. Louis chose this spot? The answer is at least partly

The insect that shaped cities

in the insistent whine of that mosquito.

Missouri is home to about 50 different species of mosquitos, all of which are members of the fly family. Most people know from personal experience that these insects feed on blood. Only female mosquitos require a blood meal though, from which they derive necessary protein to fuel their reproductive duties. Males feed

mostly on flower nectar and aid in the process of pollination.

Females use the proteins from blood to develop anywhere from 100 to 400 eggs. The mother mosquito then looks for standing water into which to deposit those eggs. In just a few days, larvae called “wigglers”, emerge. For a week these worm-like wigglers hang near the water’s surface and breathe air through tubes in their abdomens. If threatened, they wiggle deeper into the water

After pupating for two or three days, the mosquitos transform into adults and mate. From there the females are off to find blood. The insect’s entire life cycle is just a few weeks.

mal aria, or “bad air”.

When establishing frontier settlements, pioneers throughout Missouri, and the country, went out of their way to avoid “malaria swamps.” The presence of these swamps held great influence as to the locations where people ultimately choose to settle.

For example, the town of Ste. Genievieve was originally built in the fertile Mississippi River floodplain.

After the flood of 1785, it was moved two miles farther inland and uphill, to avoid the swampy and disease-prone conditions of the river bottom.

Missouri adults 16 and older can complete hunter education training all online.

` Flexibility to learn at your own pace

` Access 24/7

` No in-person skills session required

The all-online course includes engaging video and animation on hunter safety, firearm safety, ethics, regulations, and wildlife management.

DISEASES AND SETTLEMENT

Mosquitos do have the potential to carry diseases; in some parts of the world this includes viruses that bring West Nile, Zika, yellow fever, and dengue fever. Mosquitos can also transmit parasites that cause malaria. This made the lowly insect a tiny tyrant that dictated human settlement.

The still waters of swamps and marshes provide ideal habitat for species of mosquitos that can harbor malaria. Historically however, people were not aware of this connection. They blamed the swamps themselves for causing malaria, because of septic air. In fact, the disease gets its name from the Latin

Even the founders of St. Louis itself were compelled to unwittingly pay deference to the humble mosquito. French and Spanish settlers chose to establish their settlements on the high river bluffs, which they saw as having better air. The settlers avoided the swampy lowlands along the water. These places they associated with an atmosphere of sickness and fevers. It was where the mosquitos ruled, the clandestine carriers.

Next time you feel the irritating bite of a mosquito, it’s probably not much comfort to know it’s only a mother gathering resources she needs to raise her young. But it might be fascinating to realize that you’re swatting at a tiny but historically-significant creature. An insect that influenced the founding of cities.

Northern Indiana musky fishery one of the nation’s best

By BRANDON BUTLER Driftwood Outdoors

Indiana is a sleeper state for musky fishing. As surprising as it may sound, Indiana is home to one of the premier musky fisheries in the country. Lake Webster, the Barbee Chain, and the Tippecanoe Chain are the most popular musky fishing lakes of northern Indiana, but a few lesser-known waters remain favorite destinations of those in the know.

The Hoosier State’s most productive musky waters are located in the northeast region where a number of other lakes and rivers produce trophy musky. None of these lakes are large by any means, but all boast astonishing musky densities.

NATIVE TO INDIANA

Musky are a native fish species in Indiana, but ironically only to the extreme southern tributaries of the Ohio River. Yet, for over three decades now, muskies have been growing in number and popularity in northern Indiana’s natural lakes.

There are currently six waters being stocked with musky in northern Indiana. They are Lake Webster, the Tippecanoe Chain (three lakes), the Barbee Chain (seven lakes), Skinner Lake, Everett Lake and Bruce Lake. A number of other lakes have been stocked over the years and still hold good populations of fish. The most notable is Loon Lake which was one of the first Indiana lakes to be stocked with musky.

HISTORY

The history of the northern Indiana musky fishery is rooted in a success story of collaboration between anglers and the Department of National Resources (DNR). The DNR and Hoosier Musky Club both need to be commended. This example of the public and government woring together to establish a fishery remains a shining example of how to accomplish such a task.

The DNR began the musky stocking program after the anglers presented the DNR with their desire for establishing musky in a number of northern Indiana lakes. The initial stocking of musky took place in 1978 when a select group of lakes were stocked with fingerlings. Lake Webster was one of those initial lakes and received an estimated 50,000 fry. Lake Webster was included in that stocking and received an initial 350 musky between 10-12 inches long. After 1981, aggressive stocking efforts ensued. The collaboration between the musky clubs and the DNR continued to work well as each contributed fish to the stocking program.

BROOD STOCK

Since the late 1990s, the musky population of Lake Webster has served as Indiana’s brood stock for musky eggs. All muskies now stocked in the state originate from adults captured there. The state no longer imports any muskies from outside states, so Indiana’s musky program is completely self-sustaining.

To collect eggs and milt, the DNR captures the Lake Webster adult muskies in large fish traps. DNR biologists collect eggs, which are then fertilized with milt. They hatch at the East Fork State Fish Hatchery in southwest Indiana. The fingerlings are stocked in Indiana lakes and reservoirs.

At the time they are stocked into the fisheries, musky average eight

to 10 inches in length. It is estimated they’ll reach 30 inches by the time they’re four years old, and most should be close to the magic mark of 36 inches, making them a legal fish, by the time they reach five years of age. During their last 30 days at the hatchery the musky are fed minnows to help hone their predatory instincts.

FEW ARE KEPT

As Pearson explained earlier, very few muskies are kept by fishermen. This is what we anglers want to hear and work to promote. However, it is not illegal to keep a musky. If your heart is set on putting a musky on the wall, and a reproduction just won’t satisfy your desire, then know

that Indiana has a daily limit of one musky that must measure at least 36 inches.

Although this article focuses on fishing the natural lakes of northern Indiana, it’s worth noting that there are four musky fisheries in the southern half of the state. Eagle Creek Reservoir, Brookville, Lake Waveland and four connected strip pits in the Dugger Unit of the GreeneSullivan State Forest are stocked with musky each year. The pits are Bass, West, Black Cat and Duck Lakes.

Catching a musky is more challenging than most freshwater fishing opportunities. It’s a lot like hunting. You must put in time and have patience. When the stars align and

you end up cradling a musky in your arms, you truly are holding a trophy of a lifetime.

See you down the trail…

(For more Driftwood Outdoors, check out the podcast on www.driftwoodoutdoors.com or anywhere podcasts are streamed).

FISHING VS CATCHING.

MUSKY LIKE THIS GIANT from Lake Webster are found in Northern Indiana.

Enjoy squirrel hunting and fishing simultaneously as ‘squirrelishing’

By BRANDON BUTLER Driftwood Outdoors

Missouri’s squirrel season is open throughout the summer. It’s not commonly realized that right now, you can venture outdoors in the Show-Me State and bag a limit of bushytails. It may not feel much like hunting season outside when temperatures push into the 90s, but when you combine squirrel hunting with float fishing a river,

you can stay a little cooler on the water. Bayou Bill Scifres called this “squirrelishing.”

Bill Scifres, known as Bayou Bill, was an avid outdoor writer for more than 50 years. He’s an Indiana outdoors legend to his readers and fellow communicators. So, who better to invent his own tradition for sportsmen yearning for water and woods. It turns out to be a perfect summer months pursuit

for well-rounded outdoorsman wanting to make the most of the season in Missouri.

HOW TO DO IT

Squirrelishing can be accomplished by carrying a .22 along while floating a canoe down the river and fishing. Anyone who has spent a significant amount of time on the water, weather it be a lake or stream, is aware of the number

of squirrels often clamoring about in the trees along the bank barking at you and causing commotion. Squirrelishing is the answer for what to do about those squirrels.

Improve your shotgun bird hunting skills!

Targets in 5-stand shotgun shooting imitate the flight patterns of popular game birds. Shooters rotate through five stations where clay targets can fly left and right, toward, and away and at different angles and speeds – even bounce on the ground.

Both MDC shooting ranges in the St. Louis region are hosting 5-stand at the following times through Aug. 31:

August A. Busch

Shooting Range

Thursday 1 - 7:30 p.m. Friday 10 am. - 4:30 p.m.

Jay Henges

Shooting Range

Wednesday 1 - 7:30 p.m.

Thursday 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

5-stand is excellent prep for game bird hunting and can sharpen your shotgun skills.

$5 per round, cash or check only. Includes clay birds; eye and ear protection available.

No reservations, first come first served.

Visit mdc.mo.gov/shootingranges to learn more.

Imagine yourself sitting in a canoe watching a bobber in hopes of a strike. Nothing is happening, but all of a sudden you hear a squirrel chattering on shore. You paddle over, grab your trusty .22 and start your stalk. Of course, you must either be on public land or have permission to access private land. From a non-motorized craft, you can glide over to the tree line, spot the squirrel up in the branches, and level your rifle. One shot later, the bushy tail is lying at the base of the tree. You retrieve it, then paddle off to another fishing hole in hopes of adding to the day’s bounty. A dinner of deep-fried fillets alongside some squirrel etouffee over rice is about as good as it gets.

WHERE TO GO

If you’ve been clamoring for a summertime outdoor adventure, there are many rivers across the state of Missouri where you can go squirrelishing all day and spend the night on a gravel or sand bar. It’s a very affordable and fun getaway for sportsmen with a little extra fire in their pursuit of fish and game.

Emerging from your tent mere feet from rippling water as an early morning mist rises all around you makes for a magical camping experience. Few places offer as fine of an opportunity to experience such a soul cleansing escape as a gravel bar in the wilderness of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR) in southern Missouri.

When it comes to gravel bar camping few rivers match the allure of Missouri’s Current and Jacks Fork Rivers. These two magnificent rivers make up the ONSR, which has been a national park since 1964. The park encompasses 85,000 acres of public land that stretches 135 miles along the two rivers.

Although this land is a national park, you can hunt it. There is no entrance fee and no camping fee along the water away from designated camping areas. So, load up your canoe, or rent one from a local livery and hit the river for a multiday wilderness camping and squirrelishing experience. If you happen to catch a few goggle-eye and shoot a few squirrels, give ol’ Bayou Bill a tip of your cap out of respect for shared passions.

See you down the trail… For more Driftwood Outdoors, check out the podcast on  www. driftwoodoutdoors.com  or anywhere podcasts are streamed.