A Message from Business Manager Chris Erikson Jr.
Spring is here, and work is busy in Local 3’s jurisdiction. As I reported at last week’s General Membership meeting, the Construction Division is more or less at full employment. This is great news for our bank accounts and for our funds. From JFK Airport and the NYC F.C. Soccer Stadium to the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal and the nearly 50 additional jobs with 30 or more journeypersons working through out the boroughs, our members are out in full force building this great City. Don’t forget the three casinos, new Port Authority Bus Terminal, 175 Park Avenue, and other significant projects on the horizon.
As good as it is now and should be for the next few years, we still have a lot of ground to make up from the decrease in hours since coronavirus hit us 6 years ago. Our funds, particularly the Welfare Fund, were significantly impacted, but the balances and reserves are growing again. I need you all to man our jurisdiction and work every hour available, and I’ll keep encouraging the contractors to keep bidding and winning the work. Now is not the time to sit back, but we must make the most of the moment and lay claim to every electrical job in our city.
Also at last week’s General Membership meeting, for those members in Divisions who pay a working assessment to help fund Local 3 to pay our expenses and bills, a secret ballot vote was held and passed to reduce the assessment from 3% to 2.25%. The assessment was raised in 2020 during the Covid-19 crisis and ensuing shutdown of the construction industry that left us with 65% unemployment and significantly reduced manhours for the last few years. But with an increase in hours in 2025 and a stronger work situation, Local 3’s Finance Committee recommended a reduction in the assessment going forward.
I’m also happy to report that Local 3 journeywoman Allison Ziogas is running for Congress in New York’s 11th District, which includes all of Staten Island and parts of southern Brooklyn. I had the honor of introducing her at her campaign kickoff event and I couldn’t be prouder. She is bright, compassionate, committed, and ready to stand up for labor. I know our members will have her back and do everything we can to send one of our own to Congress, where Allison will represent us and all working people. Local 3 has endorsed her and made a campaign donation through the IBEW PAC, but please consider making a personal donation as well. Let’s get out there and knock on some doors, make some phone calls, and help elect Local 3 journeywoman Allison Ziogas to Congress!
