Spring 2007

TERRY HOGLE - BUSINESS MANAGER

The work season is starting and our contractors already have a lot of work on the books. There are a number of agreements we will be negotiating this spring including one of our master agreements (The Building and Rehabilitation Agreement. Negotiations will continue through June. Others include South Worth Milton Caterpillar, Cornell University Prevailing Rate Agreement, and the Residential Work Agreement.
 

Our agents have worked very hard to promote local PLA’s (Project Labor Agreements) including Oswego School District, Syracuse School District and the St. Lawrence County Jail project. We appreciate all of you who have attended meetings (in support) when asked. Please remember that good things happen when we stand together.
 

Local 545 is in a position to grow and we need to stand up for things we believe in like Union Benefits that go with you no matter what union contractor you work for. The CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) sets the basic standards for how we are treated on the job. All of us know when our Union gets stronger our wages rise and standards get better. If we don’t hold our ground, wages and standards will collapse: this affects all of our futures and our children’s futures. We have to stand up and be seen and heard. Our elected officials will only stand and fight for those who will stand up and fight for themselves.
 

Possible Job Actions at the Onondaga Lake Clean-Up Project, Cianbro projects (Destiny- Carousel Mall & other local projects) and the Lancaster Construction Co. at Arsenal St. in Watertown need our attention now if we are going to he included in these projects.
 

Dan Harrigan and myself were recently involved in a meeting with a company out of Albany that is offering a Medicare plan that includes a prescription drug program for $39.00 per month. After doing some comparisons this program looks like it could save our retirees a lot of money while still providing the coverage they are use to plus a drug plan this is an exciting opportunity.
 

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at upcoming meetings, the local’s picnic and this year’s Bernie De Joseph Foundation fundraiser. Volunteers have already started planning for these events; please check the Upstate Engineer Spring 2007 issue for details.