"Labor News"

02.26.2010

Labor News February 26, 2010 Issue

Union Meeting:
The next union meeting is Wednesday, February 24, 2009, at 8 pm in the large hall. The retirees will still meet an hour earlier at 7 pm in the conference room. Stay informed by attending our regular monthly meetings.

Upcoming Projects:

• Morsch Pipeline was low bidder on the Wortendyke & Pike Road Water Main Installation Project. (Genesee County)
• Crane Hogan has work on the Trolley Pump Station Improvements Project. (Monroe County)
• C.P. Ward was low bidder on the Highland Reservoir Liner Project. (Monroe County)
• DiFiore was low bidder on the Taxiway "A" Runway Reconstruction Project. (Monroe County)
• LeChase (Quality Structures) has work on the Mac-Vicar Hall Rehab. Project in Brockport, NY. (Monroe County)
• Dipizio has work on the Rehab & Improvements of Routes 98 & 238. (Wyoming County)

      • Dipizio was low bidder on the Replacement of Route 238 Bridge over Stevens Brook in Attica, NY. (Wyoming County) 

Reminders:
 Please make sure the union office has your correct phone numbers so we can reach you if a job opportunity comes in.
 Dues: A suspension list is being generated and warning letters will be sent out to the members who are at risk. Thank you all for paying your dues on time, for the first quarter. Remember, dues are your responsibility, not Local 435's. If you are not sure about your status, at any time, by all means call the office at 454-5800.
 Open interviews for Local 435's Apprenticeship program will be held on March 4th, April 1st, and May 6th of 2010, from 9 am - 12 pm. These are the only dates for accepting applications. Please call the apprentice office for all details. 
 The John J. Richards Memorial Scholarship Fund will be accepting applications until April 1, 2009. Please call the fund office for the complete list of requirements for applicants at (585) 325-3906.
 Membership cards are in so stop into the office to pick up your union card.  If you are unable to stop in call the office and we will mail out your updated card.
 Rochester Red Wings tickets are available for members on a first come, first serve basis.  You can get up to 6 tickets every 2 weeks. Remember they go fast, so be sure to come early.
 Day of Caring:  It's time once again for us to give back to the community helping others less fortunate than ourselves.  This event will take place on Thursday, May 13, 2010. Last year more than 20 members volunteered and worked on 3 projects in and around Rochester. We hope you'll sign up and participate in this incredible event so please volunteer!  We need your help! Contact Clint Dunn to put your name on the list.       

Training and Apprenticeship:
Training is a fundamental part of being a good laborer in today's market. Remember, if you are laid-off now is the time to take advantage of the training classes offered to our members. This is a great way to make yourself and our union more marketable. The more you know, the better your chances of continued work are, so come and educate yourself!

Listed below are the classes being offered:  All classes will be at the Oswego Training site, and start at 8 am unless otherwise noted:

• March 1-5, 2010CDL Classroom
• March 1-5, 2010Basic Line & Grade
• March 8-12, 2010CDL Hands On
• March 8-12, 2010Laser Level Technology
• March 15-16, 2010MPT/Message Board
• March 15-16, 2010Hoisting & Rigging
• March 17-18, 2010MPT/Message Board
• March 17-18, 2010Hoisting & Rigging

• March 22-26, 2010  Pipelaying

For a complete list of courses offered on training and apprenticeship or if you have questions, please call the training office at (585) 546-8460.

Member News:
We are in need of welders for an upcoming project.  If any members have welding experience or for more information about the project, please call Clint Dunn at the office.

You should have received your updated benefit booklets in the mail.  These booklets contain important information about your health & welfare, pension and annuity funds.  Look them over so that you understand your benefits.  If you have any questions please call the fund office. If you have not received your benefits booklets, please call the fund office.

Congratulations to the winners of the Super Bowl Pool they are: 1st quarter Tim Giambra, 2nd quarter Sue Russo, 3rd quarter, Pat Sinicropi, and the 4th and final quarter winner was Dave Cowd.  The 4 touching squares winners go to Scott Osborne, Clint Dunn, Pat Sinicropi, and Matt Shaw.

Fed-Up News:
Again with attacks on unions, I came across an article that every union member should read and understand titled "Union Busting Surge".
       
Employers have been instilled by the global economic and political climate to act more aggressively and more punitively against workers.  That's the conclusion of "No Holds Barred: The Intensification of Employer Opposition to Organizing," a May study conducted by Cornell University Professor Kate Bronfenbrenner.

The study finds that private sector employer opposition to workers' efforts to form unions has intensified and become more punitive than in the past.

Employers are more than twice as likely to use 10 or more tactics including threats of and actual firings, threats of and actual plant closings, harassment, disciplinary actions, surveillance, and alteration of benefits and working conditions in their campaigns to thwart workers' organizing efforts. At the same time, employers are less likely to offer "carrots," such as unscheduled raises, positive personnel changes, bribes, special favors, social events, promises of improvement and employee involvement programs.

"It's almost as if employers today have the attitude - we don't care, we don't have to care about the law, about public opinion," Bronfenbrenner says. "We don't do the carrots. We just do the stick."

The report provides a comprehensive independent analysis of employer behavior in union representation elections supervised by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), from 1999 to 2003. Bronfenbrenner finds:

• 63% interrogate workers in one-on-one meetings with their supervisors about support for the union
• 54% threaten workers in such meetings
• 57% threaten to close the worksite
• 47% threaten to cut wages and benefits, and

• 34% fire workers.

Even when workers succeed at forming a union, 52% are still without a contract a year after they win the election, and 37% remain without a contract two years after the election. 

Brothers and sisters, this is a constant battle we all have to contend with each and every day.  This is why we need the Employer Free Choice Act.

Dan Kuntz