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Valued Members of the Local One Union,
I'd like to begin this month's newsletter by thanking all of you that responded to our collective bargaining questionnaire. We are in the process of reviewing your responses, and we assure you the concerns and desires voiced in them will not go unaddressed in our upcoming collective bargaining negotiations. I personally feel from the quick and overwhelming response that this is a strong indicator of just how much solidarity exists in the Local One family. Speaking of family, I'd like to take a moment to thank all of the spouses of our members. I've been working in this business for 18 years, and for the past 9, I've taken an active role in union affairs. When I first started out, I was a single guy who only had to worry about the strain that having an active union life put on my own affairs. However, when I got married, and later when my wife and I had children, I found out just how stressful this whole thing can be on a family. I'd like to take this time out to say just how thankful we all are to our wives and husbands, it's because of you that we are as strong as we are today, and we can't appreciate you enough.
Safety
I was unhappy to learn recently, that there are still companies using polyester/polypropylene rope vertical lifelines, instead of 5/16 wire rope lifelines. The simple facts are that a lifeline (which includes the lifeline itself, a rope grab, lanyard, and a full body harness) should have a maximum permissible free fall of six feet. Under ANSI and OSHA standards, when using a ¾” polyester/polypropylene lifeline, there is 12 ft. of stretch for every 100ft of lifeline. On 5/16 wire rope lifelines, there is 0.5 ft. of stretch for every 100 ft. On a wet or damp rope, this allows for more elongation, which can be life threatening. If one of your components has been subject to fall arrest force must be removed from service and destroyed. If you still have a polyester/polypropylene lifeline, let your employer know the facts. You can call your business agent about the problem, because your safety is more important than their profits. Also, remember that lanyard lengths should not exceed 3 feet.
Good to Know
There are times when contractors or union officials are speaking about different types of work agreements. A Project Labor Agreement (PLA) is one type of agreement that is very popular. Project Labor Agreement (PLA) are agreements negotiated between project owners (construction and management firms) and unions. An agreement can vary project-to- project, but their goal is to bring together workers from many different trades under a common set of work rules, working conditions, hiring practices & methods of settling disputes-usually with the stipulation that there will be no strikes by labor and no lockouts by management. This frees up project managers from details of many differing local union contracts so they can concentrate on controlling cost & keeping the project on schedule.
News Bits A note to all apprentices, If you are not a journeyman and you would like to maintain an active status in the apprentice ship program, you must attend school. You will need to register, to do so call James McGoldrick at 718-707-9450 immediately.
Sadly Departed
Brother Bob Stork wanted to thank everyone for their kindness and support they had given to his mother, Yvonne Stork. Our Condolences to the family of retired Brother John Healy, World War II veteran.
Save The Date
There will be a retiree seminar on, Thursday, September 23rd. Please contact Tony Carudo at the hall if interested.
President/Business Manager – Ray Hernandez Being sworn in by Brother Lenny Legotte
Another job completed! View from The Time Warner Building
Local One Brothers at the MOMA Building
Brother John Stringer and wife Karen are proud and excited on the birth of their 3rd grandchild, Dylan Sean born March 9, 2004. Here he is proudly welcomed home by Justin and Erica
Stay involved
Work safe-
Lee Pirone
Leeunion1@optonline.net
