Date Posted

The General Membership Meeting on June 9th doubled as the annual “Hot Dog Meeting,” a tradition started under Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Listed below are some of the news updates announced at the meeting:

 

  • June is Pride Month, fighting for equality in the workplace in solidarity with our LGBTQ brothers and sisters
  • Carlos’ Law (S621B/A4947) passed by the New York State Senate and Assembly. Raises caps on employer fines: $500k minimum to $1 million maximum for felonies and $300,000 minimum to $500,000 maximum for misdemeanors.
  • Juneteenth is on Sunday, June 19. The federal holiday will be observed on Monday, June 20 this year. Wage replacement day (form available online) negotiated in 2022 “A” Construction contract. Treasurer Damon Armstrong spoke about the importance of Juneteenth and its meaning to African-Americans, and he commended the Negotiating Committee for making sure it was acknowledged in our Industry in our latest contract.
  • Happy Father’s Day!
  • Fellowship Program (collaboration between Local 3 and Cornell University ILR) will present a paper to the Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Memorial Association’s annual meeting in November about the biography of Harry Van Arsdale Jr. and Local 3’s history of organizing in the private sector.
  • Currently, there are 18 Local 3 members in active military service (Army, Army Reserve, Navy, Marine Corps, National Guard, Air Force).
  • The Business Manager has appointed Dave Sands to be the Business Representative for the Construction Desk and ‘M’ Division, upon current Business Representative John Baker’s retirement.
  • Employment Report: 1,139 unemployed. 7,600 AJ’s employed when including Local 3 North. 75 construction projects employing 30+ electricians each. 969 apprentices 1st-4th year.
  • Furlough Plan first phase began on January 3, 2022 and second phase begins July 5, 2022. 121 contractors out of 219 are required to hire furlough replacements. 481 out of 485 furlough replacements have been sent out by now. Expecting 500 furlough replacements sent out starting July 5.
  • Harry Van Arsdale Jr. School of Labor Studies at SUNY Empire State College graduation ceremony held on the evening of Friday, June 10 at the New York City Center. Educational and Cultural Trust Fund offers benefits unique to organized labor.
  • Last exam for MIJ’s and AJ’s was on June 4 and the next is on November 19.
  • Connecticut requires workers to have Connecticut licenses, which is becoming a problem for Local 3 members who work in Local 3’s Connecticut jurisdiction but currently do not have Connecticut licenses.
  • City Division Business Representative Sean Fitzpatrick received a letter from DCAS (Department of Citywide Administrative Services) praising the work ethic and skills of Local 3 electricians and possibly expanding the workforce on current and future projects.
  • Approximately 8,000 Hotel Trades Council members remain unemployed. 30 large union hotels have closed permanently.
  • Safety Report: No worksite accidents reported since May 19th General Membership Meeting, but a DBM Division member died after having a seizure on his way to work.
  • Legislative Report: Prevailing wage laws are awaiting the Governor’s signature since the state legislative session ended. State law passed and signed to convert unused hotels into affordable housing. 421-a (tax breaks for residential construction) did not pass and will expire at the end of this month.
  • Building Trades starting work at JFK Terminal 1, ribbon-cutting at the new LaGuardia Delta Terminal C, and PLA with the MTA is still under works but moving forward.
  • Elizabeth Crowley endorsed by the Building Trades Council for State Senate District 59 (primary is on August 23).
  • Business Manager Chris Erikson wants to address REBNY (Real Estate Board of New York) meeting with developers about the widespread use of open shops since 2008 and competing with the city’s non-union sector in light of the terms of the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement and Local 3’s skillset, training, and productivity and our Apprentice Program. Business Representatives will approach building owners about using union labor, as new renewable energy requirements will drive up demand for electrical work and advanced skills.
  • JIB Executive Director Humberto Restrepo is now also the Chief Diversity Officer.
  • New York primaries for Governor and State Assembly are on June 28 and early voting takes place June 18-26. Let’s get out the vote for Local 3’s candidates
  •  Local 3 Night at Citi Field on Saturday, August 6 when the New York Mets play versus the Atlanta Braves.
  • The next General Membership Meeting will take place on July 14.