L.U.
353 (as,c,i&o), TORONTO, ONLocal 353 is proud to have
celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2003 and particularly pleased
to report that the construction boom, the weather and especially
the participation of our members made it the best in our 100 year
history. All our annual events, including the fishing trip, Wild
Water Kingdom picnic, Canada Day picnic, Labour Day parade march/Bar-B-Que,
our Kids Christmas party and Retirees dance enjoyed record crowds.
The gala event of the year was our 100th anniversary dinner/dance.
In addition to the awards ceremony for our 50- and 60-year-plus
members and speeches, we had displays of our history, ice bars,
a silent auction and abundant fellowship. Approximately 2,000 members
and their spouses attended, with the added bonus of Int. Pres. Edwin
W. Hill and Int. Sec.-Treas. Jerry OConnor in attendance.
The work picture in Toronto has picked up considerably since the
dismal 1990s and for the first time in our history we reached 10
million man-hours. We were pleased to be able to share our hours
with many unemployed brothers and sisters from across Canada.
L.U.
357 (c,i,mt,o&se), LAS VEGAS, NVThere is only one thing
on my mind this monthsending Mr. Bush and all his people who think
like him packing. But first, we need to get everyone registered.
Second thing is to support labor-friendly candidates. Historically
there was usually a place we could travel and find a job. The past
four years have been as bad as the depression era economy for many
brothers and sisters. We cannot take another four years of getting
beat up by those who would be king. Research the candidates and
form an honest opinion of a candidate and his or her likelihood
of helping working-class people. We cannot sit still any longer
and expect someone else to pull our butts out of the fire. We found
out four years ago that every single vote counts.
Contact your local union now for information on how and where to
register yourself, your spouse and voting age family members.
Be safe, be American and vote!
Dale T. Walsh, P.S.
Newly appointed Local 413
Bus. Mgr. Charles V.
Huddleston (left) and Pres.
Joseph M. Furino, former
business manager, at the
locals installation meeting.
L.U.
413 (em,i&o), SANTA BARBARA, CAAfter three years in
office, Bus. Mgr. Joseph M. Furino chose to resign his office mid-term
in order to have more time with his family.
The Executive Board appointed current Organizer, President, and
Trustee Charles V. Huddleston as our new business manager/financial
secretary. The Executive Board appointed Joseph M. Furino as president.
Bro. Furino thanked the membership and officers for their support
and help to achieve the successes of the last three years. Local
413 has increased its A membership by 10 percent and the BA
membership by 50 percent. Our local was recognized in 2001 for the
highest percentage membership increase in the Ninth District. One
of our recently organized contractors has become the third largest
employer in the jurisdiction. We also recently doubled the size
of the Rodney C. Bond Training Center and added the Terrance Freesemann
Computer Lab. Our starting apprenticeship class is the largest in
recent memory, and will help staff our ever-increasing workload.
We are currently working 150 percent of the man-hours of the late
1990s, and we are getting busier.
We added another holiday to our contract and abolished a long-standing
Secondary Wage Rate. We also increased our COPE contributions and
political participation, which directly led to a (full-scale) local
Building Trades PLA covering a $140 million downtown hotel, commercial
and residential project.
Local 415s 2003 childrens Christmas
party,
headed up by Brother Rick Michon (standing),
was a great success.
L.U.
415 (c,govt,i&u), CHEYENNE, WYWork remains slow throughout
our jurisdiction, with many of our members losing time. Wyoming
always suffers with ups and downs during the changing seasons, but
it seems more severe with the present political attitude in Washington.
We must give this country back to the hard-working men and women
who built this country. I believe it is paramount that all workingmen
and women stand up and demand that we stop giving tax breaks and
perks to the richest 1 percent while taking away from the middle
class. The next election could be the most important in the history
of our country.
Four of our brothers (Jeremy Hewey, Candido Izguirre, Brian Boller
and Cory Obryan) suffered burns from an electrical flash in a recent
accident here in Cheyenne. Any help we can give will be deeply appreciated.
Bro. James Jairell has donated an Alaskan outfitter trip for four
to help with a fundraiser. If you can help, please contact the hall
at (307) 632-5944.
The annual union picnic will be held Aug. 21 with plans to award
service pins at the event.
L.U.
445 (catv,i&spa), BATTLE CREEK, MIThe Local 445 union
hall was a voting site for the Michigan Democratic caucus held Feb.
7, 2004. Two local members worked the Saturday caucus, with the
help of two other Democratic Party members. We had a pretty good
turnout and, not surprisingly, the totals reflected percentages
across the state. This is the first year Michigan caucus voters
could vote their favorite online. After submitting an application
online, caucus voters received a letter by return mail providing
a password that allowed them to vote at their leisure.
With November elections coming up, now is a good time to make sure
family members and friends are registered. Exercise your right to
vote!
Bush is not thinking about working class families while making
national policy. November 2004 is the time to change this trend.
Continued job losses, large budget deficits and runaway health care
costs are just a few of the issues being ignored by the current
administration. We can make a difference by getting involved and
going out to vote!
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