The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 841 is a progressive trade union that represents heavy equipment operators in the construction and aggregate industries, as well as certain municipal and clerical employees. The goal of union membership is to ensure fair and adequate working conditions for those members we represent. We believe in the rights of workers to expect a fair day's pay for a day's work. We believe that union members are individuals who realize that the privilege of membership is not to be taken for granted, but requires a continued commitment by all of us to maintain and improve our skills and our way of life. We believe that skilled labor is much more efficient and also provides for a safer work environment on any and every job site.

Local 841 represents approximately 2250 active members throughout Indiana and Illinois, and approximately another 100 semi-retired members. Our construction engineers utilize a referral hall, with the main office in Terre Haute, Indiana, and branch offices located in Oakwood, Illinois, and Vincennes, Indiana. We cover 17 counties in west central Indiana, and 19 counties in east central Illinois. The primary goal of our Local is to provide a quality of life to our members that is above average throughout the course of their employment as well as during their retirement years. We maintain a modern and professional office staffed by well trained and qualified personnel; utilize state-of-the-art technology, procedures and equipment to provide the services required to meet those qualifications. We encourage our membership to become involved in helping to achieve these benefits.

Since we want our members to be the best they possibly can, we have a state-of-art training facility located in Universal, Indiana, that is open 5 days a week for the use of our members to train and upgrade their skills. The equipment utilized at the site is the same type of equipment our members will operate on the job site. The instructors at the site are all Operating Engineers and are capable and qualified to teach the the fundamentals of equipment maintenance and operation. However, just like any other task, it is up to the individual to work on and improve his talents and skills. The more skillful an operator is, the more employable he becomes. In an occupation that depends so much on the Mother Nature, it is important to maintain a varied and skilled equipment list.

Because it is also very important to maintain our memberhip numbers, we accept a new class of apprentices one time per year, and try to ensure that they receive adequate training in the different types of equipment used in the construction industry. As our members age and eventually retire, it is important that we have skilled people to replace them. Apprentices receive basic skills and education at the training site, but also receive an hourly wage for their on the job training.

The staff at the training sight are also certified to teach CPR, OSHA courses, and HAZ-MAT training as well as offering certification classes for fork-lifts and cranes. Because of continued technological changes in heavy equipment operation, our training staff is obligated to keep pace, and do so by attending classes throughout the year to be able to pass those changes on to our members.

If you will check the "Members Update Area" you will find that you are now able to submit changes to your address and phone number, as well as reviewing your equipment qualifications. Hopefully, as utilization of this feature increases, we will be able to add more internet capability to the members in possibly accepting dues payments, and other conveniences that will increase the efficiency of your local.

Tom Ridge, Business Manager