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“The coal operators would think they got the union crushed, but just like putting out a fire you can go out and stomp on it and leave a few sparks and here comes a wind and it’s going to spread again.” –Hobart Grills, 1931.
There will always be people in authority that take pleasure in stomping on workers who produce the goods that create the profits. We as workers must stand united to ensure that we are represented at the bargaining table and always take part in the process. Our International Union has taken a big step forward by endorsing delegate ratification as a means of voting on this contract. It is a step closer to what we at Local One had supported at the 28th General IUEC Convention, full membership ratification. Business Manager John Green has stated that membership ratification has always helped him as a negotiator, and we hope our Labor Committee at these recent negotiations felt some benefit from having delegate ratification. It would be interesting to hear their views on ratification after our contracts are voted on, by delegate ratification, for the first time at the International level. It really is a historical time.
Labor and Delivery: In the April Constructor, I made mention of Versace Gatti, complete with boxing gloves like Dad would wear. However, I must apologize to the Gatti family by referring to Versace as a boy when in fact she is a girl! I apologize for the mistake in identity!
Brother Charlie Yaeger and his wife Karen are proud to announce the birth their son, Chazz Joseph. Chazz was born on April 20th and weighed in at 7 lbs., 12 ounces.
“Chazz Joseph Yaeger.”
Brother Rob Sanborn proudly announces the birth of his first grandchild, Andrew James, on February 4th. Andrew weighed in at 9 lbs., 7 ounces.
“Andrew James Sanborn.”
Brother Richard Donohue and his wife Jamie are proud to announce the birth of their first child, Joseph James, on March 9th. We wish the Donohue family luck with their new addition.
“Joseph James Donohue.”
Brother Fred McCourt, Jr. and his wife Sue would like to announce the birth of their second daughter, Jacqueline Cecelia, on May 22nd. Jacqueline weighed in at 6 lbs, 11 ounces. The McCourt family is doing well with their new addition.
And finally, on a personal note, my wife Erica and I would like to announce the birth of our third child, Courtney Rose, who was born on May 10th and weighed in at 9 lbs., 1 ounce. I think retirement plans just got moved back a few years!
Thank you: I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our members of Local One and throughout our International for your kind words of support and encouragement I received as your Correspondent. As a result of our May election for Recording Secretary, I now serve you as a member of our Executive Board. With this I will vacate my position as Correspondent. It has been an honor to serve you in this capacity, and my experiences drawn from writing this journal will remain priceless. Thanks again for your support, and thank you for taking part in the democratic process. We had 2,080 members vote in this past election, which proves how much are members care.
Remember: The clean up at the World Trade Center is complete, and the next phase of restoring this site will commence. Many of our fallen heroes remains were never recovered, and the families of our victims remain forever scarred. Lets keep them in our thoughts and prayers. Let us also remember our troops serving us as we go about our daily lives. Many are at the age when they could be attending frat parties at a university. Instead, they choose to serve our country. Their courage and commitment is what allows us our freedom, which, as we all know, should never be taken for granted.
In Solidarity,
Brother Tony Carudo
Phone: 646-345-6840
Fax: 413-403-8808
E-Mail: carudo@optonline.net
Posted Online June 3, 2002
