Boycott of Novi Expo Center urged
The Greater Detroit Building and Construction Trades Council is among a group of union-affiliated organizations engaged in a joint organizing drive that's encouraging a boycott of the Novi Expo Center.

So far, a number of construction trade unions, including IBEW Local 58, Iron Workers Local 25, the Michigan Regional Carpenters Council and Teamsters Joint Council 43 ("United Unions"), have unsuccessfully attempted to get Expo Center management to hire union labor to set up and take down displays.

The official kick-off of the boycott is set to take place Aug. 10-11 at the Classic Car Show and Auction at the Novi Expo Center. Union members are expected to be out in force to peacefully urge classic car enthusiasts not to attend the event.

"We are confident that once we deliver our message, it will have a substantial impact on the Expo Center's business and standing in the community," said Greater Detroit Building and Construction Trades Council Secretary-Treasurer Patrick Devlin.

In 2003, the Novi Expo Center is scheduled to move into a new, larger facility in Novi which will increase the incentive for trade shows to move from Cobo Center in Detroit - which hires union.

Support encouraged for jail millage
Wayne County voters are urged to go to the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 6 and vote yes on Proposal J, a .94 mill renewal for the county to continue its present level of jail operations (94 cents per thousand dollars of equalized valuation).

The millage was originally approved by voters in 1988 to help solve the problems of a rising crime rate and insufficient jail space. The millage enabled expansion of the jail system by 1,070 beds and construction of a new juvenile detention facility.

Numerous unionized construction workers also toil at county jail facilties performing renovation and maintenance work.

The .94 mill levy was renewed by voters for four years, and now Proposal J calls for renewal of the tax for another 10 years.

IBEW's Gula moves to WJR
Murray Gula, an IBEW Local 58 member who has carved a niche for himself in radio broadcasting, has hit the big time.

Gula has inked a deal with WJR, 760-AM, to host a home improvement show on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Most recently Gula has hosted similar shows for the Detroit market on FM stations WLLZ and WMZK.

"The industry has opened a lot of doors for me and this is a way for me to give back some of the information I've learned," he said. "I'm still a card-carrying member of Local 58 and it's important for me that the people in the building trades get their due."

WJR, "The Great Voice of the Great Lakes," has a powerful signal and can be heard throughout much of the Lower Peninsula.

"We're excited about adding "Home Improvement" to our expert show line-up on the weekends," said WJR Operations Manager Steve Stewart. "Murray makes the perfect host with a tremendous amount of hands-on experience in the home improvement area."

The show's content will include giving listeners advice with remodeling projects and interviewing guests from the building industry.

Gula also runs the Michigan Construction Protection Agency, who works with homeowners who have been cheated by unscrupulous contractors.