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Hello from New York & New Jersey,
At the May union meeting six Brothers received their 25 year pins. Pictured below are Brothers Mike Nicosia, John McDonnell Jr.( accepting for John McDonnell Sr.), John Moody, Tom Woods, John Hack and John Stringer.
At recent meetings, the members have been encouraged to speak about the new equipment that seems to be changing every month. The purpose of these discussions are to keep those Brothers and Sisters who have not seen the new equipment informed as to what is a violation, and what is not. We must learn to condition ourselves to question everything that we have not seen before. When a new piece of equipment shows up on the job, call the hall so a Business Agent can stop by and take a look.
A report of the Emergency Relief Fund for the year 2002 was also given at the May meeting. The Emergency Relief Fund is the $25.00 you pay every year in order to help out those Brothers and Sisters who were injured on the job. Local One paid over 53,000.00 in 2002 to members who were out of work due to an injury on the job. The assessment for emergency relief has been voted in every year since I have been a member and many years prior. I am certain the members who receive of the fund are grateful for the help that the fund provides.
Another fund that does not get a lot of attention, but is every bit important to those who take advantage of it is the Local One Scholarship Fund. Every meeting you will see one of two, or sometimes both Brothers standing at a box as you walk in the door at the union meetings. They are Steve Labbe and Ron Templeton. These Brothers sell 50/50 raffle tickets for the Scholarship Fund. The winning ticket is drawn at the end of the meeting, with half the proceeds going to the ticket holder and the other half going to the Local One Scholarship Fund to benefit the children of Local One members. The next time you are at a meeting, stop by the table and support the children of Local One.
Political: There are five separate bills before Congress and the Senate that deal with work week increases and exclusion of overtime pay. I strongly urge everyone to contact their Congressman and Senators and let them know we will remember those who support this type of Legislation, as well as those who support the working families of this country.
Retirees Corner: A party was given in honor of Bob Interligi, who is retired and Bob Riegger, who is not retiring, but is relocating to Florida. The party was well attended, which says a lot about these two Brothers. Both Brothers have always been examples of good union men and good mechanics. Pictured below are Brothers Orrigo, Interligi and Nolan and Brother Riegger sharing a few laughs with Brother Nolan. We wish Brother Interligi all the best in his retirement, as well as Brother Riegger in his new home in Florida.
Also retiring this month is Brother Leo Hugo Phillip. Brother Phillip is one of the proudest union members you will ever meet. In the course of Brother Phillip's 33 years with Local One he has accomplished much. Brother Phillip was the first African American Shop Steward in Local One. The first African American in the local to hold a New York City welding licence and then go on to become a welding instructor, as well as the first African American in the local to become an elevator inspector. We wish Brother all the best in his retirement. Pictured below is Brother Phillip on a rope job.
Donations: The Tradesman Fraternal Association donated $500 to the Local One Scholarship Fund.
Sick/Hurt: Karen Erhard, Lenny Devaney, Joe Harrison Jr., Bill Egan and Jose Bentancourt.
Local One extends its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Jeanine Ginty (sister of Brother Jason Ginty and cousin of Brother Tom Ginty).
I am going to end this month's article with a story that makes me proud to belong to this local. A few months ago a member working on a job along with three or four teams was involved in some conflict with the office he worked for. Before too long the manager of the office decides he has had enough. So he heads down to the job at the end of the day and lays off the mechanic and his helper. The Foreman and the rest of the crew start to pack up the tools at the end of the regular day and the manager says where are you going, this job is on overtime. The Foreman replied, we don't work overtime on a job that is in the middle of lay offs. They packed up their tools and went home That is what we are all about.
Quote of the month: "well done is better than well said" - Benjamin Franklin
Fraternally,
Mike Duffy
www.iuec1.org
Posted Online May 4, 2003
