Date Posted

Great turnout at the General Membership Meeting that took place on March 10. The next two months will look a little different, with April 14 being an “A” contract ratification meeting for certain members only and May 12 coinciding with the IBEW International Convention taking place in Chicago on May 9-13. In addition to these schedule updates, the following was reported at the meeting last Thursday:
 

  • Local 3 celebrates Women’s History Month. Thank you to our sisters for what you do and contribute to our Union.
     
  • Recognition of our Irish brothers and sisters in Local 3 ahead of St. Patrick’s Day.
     
  • Request made to IBEW International President Lonnie Stephenson to suspend the April General Membership Meeting and instead hold a “A” contract ratification meeting with members in the following divisions only: AJ (001), G (022), MJ A Rate (030), A-Tel (034).
     
  • Currently there are 16 members of Local 3 actively serving in the U.S. Armed Forces (Marine Corps, Army, Army Reserves, Navy, Coast Guard, and National Guard).
     
  • 80 projects with 30 or more Local 3 electricians on the job.
     
  • 30 large union hotels in New York City have closed permanently, affecting the work opportunity for Local 3 members.
     
  • CDL drivers and warehouse personnel are needed. Make sure to verify drivers’ and suppliers’ union membership.
     
  • JIB Safety Director Cornelius Skeahan reported three incidents since the February 9 General Membership Meeting. An accident on February 18 happened when an electrician came into contact with copper, suffered burns on arms, and was treated at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Two separate accidents involved apprentices. In both accidents, apprentices were not experienced or supervised, but it is the foreman’s job and responsibility to make sure PPE is being used and electricians are properly trained and suited to perform the task.
     
  • At the Legislative Conference in Albany, over 80 elected officials met with Business Manager Chris Erikson, Political Director Jim Robson, and JIB Safety Director/Lobbyist Cornelius Skeahan. They discussed, in part, state laws and regulations on the transition to zero carbon emissions, the transportation and removal of construction material, and the construction industry advisory council on public contracting reform supported by Local 3 and NECA (S4323C).
     
  • The Building and Construction Trades Council reported ongoing negotiations on a PLA with the MTA and NYCHA, security concerns adding to construction costs at worksites such as the World Trade Center Oculus transportation hub, and the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program and Workers’ Compensation Plan at JFK Airport.
     
  • The primaries for state offices will take place on Tuesday, June 28, and early voting will be on June 18-26.
     
  • Camp Integrity at Redwood in Walden, NY will open again this summer. Currently trying to pursue a $2 million grant to convert to GWO (Global Wind Organization) specialty training for onshore and offshore wind. 300 members of Local 3 have expressed interest in wind turbine work.
     
  • Mask mandate still in effect at the Electrical Industry Center.
     
  • Local 3 vs. Local 25 at UBS Arena on Tuesday, March 29 is free and open to the public.
     
  • Long Island Education Center in Cutchogue, Long Island is opening soon with a course on the history of Local 3 taught by instructors from SUNY Empire State College. Please make a commitment to go and take the Critical Thinking course.
     
  • Solidarity with Ukraine. Support the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) emergency fundraiser for Ukrainian member organizations, FPU and KVPU, and trade unions in neighboring countries including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova.

 

The next General Membership Meeting will take place on May 19, due to the IBEW International Convention.