The Future is Tweedt

Brothers and Sisters,

 I hope this article finds you busy working and trying to stay dry. DC16 recently hired Marcelina Trevino and Dylan Williams as Admins to work in the Sacramento office starting February 10, 2025. We will be voting on the DC16 proposed By-Laws on February 20^th from 12:00 pm until 6:00 pm. You will receive a proposed copy mailed to your home. If you have any questions about them, please contact me. The IUPAT recently sent out membership numbers from January 1, 2024, through January 1, 2025. Local 1237 had an increase in membership with 38 new members. Currently, we have 287 members, 154 journeymen, 93 apprentices, and 40 retirees for a total of 287 members. Eureka members had a wage allocation last month, they allocated their $3.00 wage increase effective July 1, 2025, as follows $2.41 on wages, $0.15 for IUPAT Pension, $0.04 for Work Preservation, and $0.40 for Health and Welfare. 

I attended Surfaces last week and spoke with Reps from Roberts, Mapei, Carpet Gear, Crain, Gundlach, Pro Knee and many others. Some of the companies mentioned will give “union” pricing, I will be reaching out to see what they will offer us. The CFI carpet and hard surface competition was remarkably close, and the carpet was won by Allen Lewis from Alabama (non-union) and the hard surface was won by Matt Bowels from the United Kingdom (non-union). In the apprentice competition Edgar Lopez from DC16/LU12 came in first and was awarded tools and a check for $2,000.00.

Member Spotlight: Tim Tweedt

Tim Tweedt is a second-year apprentice and has been a member of local 1237 for 2 years. He made his way into the trades with his great grandfather John Allen Tweedt, grandfather Dave Tweedt and Father John Tweedt, the Business Representative for Glaziers Local 767, who were all union tradesmen. Tim decided that he wanted to work hard and join a trade, so he became a floor coverer. He enjoys being an apprentice and is currently working for BT Mancini and has had some experience working on synthetic turf. Tim likes all the training he has gotten so far and is glad that the training center moved to a bigger facility, he felt the old one was too small. He loves the floor covering but dislikes the old “it’s my way or the highway” mentality. He believes that all apprentices need to be respected and bring something to the table. He credits his father John Tweedt with getting him into the trade, teaching him life skills and his mother Irene for all the never-ending love and support. When Tim isn’t working, he likes to spend time with his girlfriend Bethany, playing video games, being outside and hanging in the garage with friends and Family. In the future Tim hopes to find a balance between work and play and still working in floor covering. I asked Tim what he wanted people to know, and he said, “you don’t have to tear someone down to earn their respect”. I also asked him what advice he had for other members, and he said, “show up and be involved!”. I have known Tim and his family for 10 years and it has been an honor to see Tim go from a High School Senior to the man he has become today. I see many great things for Tim in the future. 

Fraternally 

Randy Rojas
Business Representative
DC16/LU1237