Spring 2007

Cayuga, Seneca, Madison,, Oneida and Herkimer Counties

Darryl Merriam - Business Agent - District 2

 First, thanks to all of you who called or visited during my recent stay in the hospital, and offered support after the death in our family.

       Certainly the foremost of which were the Local 545 staff. Business Manager Hogle and Agent Dave Van Deusen really stepped up and shouldered the extra work load for me. Thank you, Brothers.

       Work in D-2 during the winter months has been sporadic, as could be expected. The steel went up quickly at the Turning Stone Casino for the ‘Nightclub’ job, and All Crane of Pa. has been on site at the Fenner wind farm most of the winter doing maintenance
work there, using 545 people. We also had some steel work at the Stanley Theater in Utica.

       This is a time for looking forward to the start of the up-coming season. Economy Paving has secured a nice road job in New Hartford that will provide good work, the Five Points Correctional Facility job in Romulus went to DiFiore and we are currently working
on staffing for that one too. Turning Stone has some ambitious plans coming, Hamilton College and Colgate University have more work, and several projects are planned for Griffis Park. There is still lots of windmill work planned and bidding, as well as tens of millions of dollars in school work in our area. So, add that to the large amount of work in the other Districts, and our members could have a very productive season.

      I have had occasion to be at the Training Site several times, and must note we aren’t exactly overcrowded there most days. Please take a moment to review your skills and certifications, and if there is anything lacking or about to expire, make arrangements to get up there and use the Site to its fullest. It will greatly enhance your opportunities to work. See you at the Site.