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The New Year is here and this should be a big year for us at Local One with negotiations set to begin. There will be a number of issues on the negotiating table. Filling out your collective bargaining questionnaire will determine what is important to our membership and we will negotiate a new contract accordingly.
As far as work in our area, the freedom tower is set to start construction and also the revitalization of the downtown area. Approval of the NY Jets stadium to be built on the west side will bring an incredible amount of work for this union. Hopefully, if New York wins the Olympic bid, it would keep us pretty busy for the years to come. Please support the NY Jets stadium. Not only will there be a stadium, but hotels and parking garages. This means keeping all our brothers and sisters busy working.
What’s Happening / Happened??
I was reading the section of November’s Elevator Constructor titled, “You can ask your general officers questions”. The first question under NEIEP questions, a brother asked, “Would it be possible to offer a certified welding class to our members?” The answer was, “No, that it would require the construction of welding facilities across the United States which geographically and fiscally is impossible.” We at Local One would like to answer this brother correctly. There is one brand new state of the art welding facility. It is the only one in the country that was built for our members in our Local One headquarters. This project was a major undertaking, but we realized the importance of a facility that would teach and prepare our members to successfully pass the requirements necessary to get your NYC welding license. The welding program has 2 instructors: Brother John Markovich and Brother Brian McCue. The volunteer classes are 1 day a week for 8 months. There are only 10 student volunteers to the class which allows John and Brian to teach a very intensive training program. This welding program goes through all facades of welding. With local one building a facility of this sort, it lets our members take back work that the companies used to farm out so often. The union would like to thank brothers Peter Boettger and Timothy McGrath for the work they put into building this facility. Hats off to you for a fine job.
It has come to our attention that some companies are attempting to get away with bypassing Article IV, “Prefabrication of Equipment,” being sent to jobs. We implore you that if equipment is sent to you that doesn’t look right, call your business agent. There are already a number of cases regarding Article IV that went before arbitration. These cases have successfully won. There will be no more work if companies keep trying to undermine our work. Remember to protect one of our most important rights: To do our jobs right; if it does not look proper, it isn’t; make a call; make a stand.
Education
A note to all apprentices. If you are not a journeyman and you would like to maintain active status in the apprenticeship program you must attend school. To do so call James McGoldrick at 718-707-9450 immediately.
Retiree Corner
We wish Brother Walter Burke all the best on his retirement. He has given over 40 years to this business as a Journeyman / Business Agent. Thank you for your dedication and service.
Sadly Departed
We at local one would like to give our deepest sympathy to the family of brother Bobby Masterson and his wife Debbie on the loss of their son Robbie Jr.
Our sincere condolences to the family of brother Ray (Tony) Hellesen of his passing.
Congratulations
Brother Tom Murphy won his newly elected position as Trustee in the town of Mamaroneck.
Stay involved, Work safe
Lee Pirone
Lee Pirone .
Posted Online December 1, 2004
