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This fall Local 134 welcomed International President Ed Hill, a number of IBEW officials and more than 350 delegates to the 64th annual 6th District Progress Meeting.

Yes We Did-We Believed and We Achieved was the theme of the three-day event. Although there was plenty to be proud of and to congratulate ourselves on, this wasn't just a celebration. It was a working meeting.

One of the more important items on the agenda was Membership Development. Unions need to attract new members, and IBEW is no exception. Modern technology is changing the way individuals and groups communicate with each other and with the public. One purpose of the meetings was to make sure all our locals are up on the latest in understanding how today's technology can be turned to our advantage, whether it's Twitter or Youtube or email or the internet. In this age of instant, almost universal communication, this knowledge and skill are critical in getting our voices heard.

Business Manager Tim Foley raises several interesting points about the nation's dysfunctional health care system in his column. I'd like to add my own observations.

First, there's the question of government involvement and the wisdom of providing universal coverage. There are some, notably Republicans, who claim they don't want or need either one. I wonder how many of these nay sayers stood in line with their kids for H1N1 flu shots when the vaccine became available in their neighborhoods? News coverage showed plenty of long lines in many traditionally Republican suburbs. I didn't hear a single person complaining that the shots were free or that they were provided by the government. When it comes to protecting their children from a potentially deadly disease, even conservative Republicans are happy to have the feds involved; too bad their compassion doesn't allow them to extend the concept of government sponsored care to people whose kids or other family members have other serious medical needs.

The Party of "No" and The Party of "Yes We Can"

For over three decades a health plan has floated around Congress. While a comprehensive bill recently squeaked by in the House of Representatives, a battle royal is waging in the Senate over yet a different way to resolve the issue. In the meantime, 47 million Americans (20 percent of whom are children!) remain uninsured.

Local 134 members joined some 5,000 other union members and protestors at a rally in downtown Chicago demonstrating against the nation's banks and financial institutions. "These people brought on the economic meltdown that's hurting America's workers and their families. They need to know we're not going to stand for their brand of greedy and irresponsible fiscal policies," said Business Manager Tim Foley. The October rally took place during the American Bankers Association annual meeting.