Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year To All IBEW Local 363 Members

On behalf of the Officers and Staff, IBEW Local 363 would like to wish everyone - in all of the many divisions and occupations of our union - a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! We hope we are able to help you all have a better 2011 and beyond!

Taylor Biomass Finally Gets All Approvals - Breaking Ground Monday December 6

Taylor Biomass will break ground for Phase one of the project on Monday December 6.

Thank you to all IBEW 363 members who attended meetings with us to support this project over the last two plus years.

After much work, many meetings and a little bit of hope the Montgomery Town Board granted the company permission to start construction of its garbage to gas facility.

Senator Charles Schumer and Congressman Maurice Hinchey, who were instrumental in securing a $100 million federal loan guarantee, will be at the ceremony on Monday along with company owner James Taylor, IBEW 363 and Building Trades officials.

The new plant is expected to create some 400 construction jobs and it should help to give some relief our Brothers and Sisters who can sure use the work and the paychecks.

Let's hope it is the first of many more opportunities to come.

Powerful Speech Supports The American Middle Class - Exposes Hypocrisy

It is not very often that you hear a politician from any party get up and tell it exactly the way it is.

This speech is an exception to the rule.

These are extremely important times for working class families. Not only is the economy and unemployment doing terrible damage to the working class - the corporations are still taking more as we suffer.

Labor Unions play a key role now and will play a much more important role in the coming years. Labor is the only organized group still running interference for the American workers.

Most in the dwindling middle class are fast asleep but they are soon in for a rude awakening. The people are about to be pushed to the brink by corporate greed and organized labor will be sought after to bring the middle class back to life.

History repeats itself - you heard him say that "they want to bring us back to the twenties."

Well, the thirties followed the twenties and so did the resourgence of labor. That resourgence happened when the people were pushed down as low as they could go - just like what we see developing now.

Happy Thanksgiving To All IBEW Local 363 Members And Their Families

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our members and their families. Take the time to spend with your family and give thanks for their love and support.

On behalf of the Local we sincerely thank all of our members for their support of the union movement and IBEW Local 363.

Former President Bill Clinton Visits IBEW Local 363 To Speak On Behalf Of Congressman John Hall

Bill Clinton thinks this year’s elections in the Hudson Valley, in New York State, and around the country are “fact-free.” The former President spoke at a rally on Saturday night at the IBEW Local 363 Training Facility in Harriman to benefit Congressman John Hall.

Our local was asked if we could host the event and it turned out to be a huge success.

Our Business Manager John Maraia Sr. was asked to be the Master of Ceromonies for the event. At our October Union meeting, he invited all of our members to attend and asked them to help spread the invitation to other 363 members.

Over 550 people packed the union hall in response including NYS AFL-CIO President Dennis Hughes who gave a rousing speech.

The rally included live music by Congressman John Hall, Larry Hoppen, Joe Bouchard, playing, among other songs, the Orleans hits “Dance With Me” and “Still the One”. Congressman Hall was a member of the "Orleans".

Clinton took the stage and reinforced the claim that voters have been mislead by accusations and smear campaigns on behalf of Republican candidates. He urged Hall’s supporters to look into recent legislation such as the Wall Street Reform Act, provisions of which ban future bailouts and provide a means to ensure that another recession does not arise.

He spoke of the Democrats’ “Pay-as-you-go” system of balancing the national budget, a system that Clinton’s administration used that the current administration has reinstated.

“How did we balance the budget? Because the Congress then had a rule called Paygo, pay-as-you-go,” Clinton said. “You wanna do something new? You gotta stop doing something else or go tell the people you need to raise money to do it.


The pro-labor former President urged everyone in attendence not to believe the hype against President Obama and the Democratic Congress. "It took them 8 years to dig the hole we are in, we can't dig out of an 8 year hole in 2 years."

IBEW Local 363 and the entire labor movement in the Hudson Valley stands behind John Hall and hope to push him to victory!

Apprentice / Retiree Dinner A Huge Success!

On Friday, October 22, 2010 the Local 363 Joint Apprenticeship Committee invited all members and their guests to the 2009 and 2010 Apprentice Graduation Dinner and the honoring of Local Union 363 2008 and 2009 Retirees at the Pearl River Hilton.

The invite was answered in typical IBEW 363 style with over 300 members and their guests enjoying each others company, dinner and dancing at the beautiful Pearl River Hilton.

Honoring our newest journeyman, along with our journeyman who are now enjoying their retirement, calls for a celebration and is a well deserved and unique celebration to hold. It demonstrates the connection between generations of members and the journey that is taken to begin and complete a career in our field.

There have been nothing but RAVE reviews since and everyone who attended is excited to have been a part of such a great night. If you missed it this year - make sure you attend next time - you won't be sorry.

Once again, congratulations to all of our IBEW local 363 graduates and retirees!

Apprentice / Retiree Dinner To Be Held October 22 - Reserve Your Seat Now.

The Local 363 Joint Apprenticeship Committee cordially invites all members and their guests to the 2009 and 2010 Apprentice Graduation Dinner and the honoring of Local Union 363 2008 and 2009 Retirees on Friday, October 22, 2010 at the Pearl River Hilton.

There will be a cocktail party at 7pm and dinner and dancing will begin at 8:30pm. Come and join your Brothers and Sisters in honoring our newest journeyman along with our journeyman who are now enjoying their retirement.

It is a very nice combination of IBEW members to see at the same function together. It says alot about our business and our union.

Tickets are $100 per couple. Invitations have gone out to all. Send in your reservation now to have a seat for you and your guest.

Happy Labor Day To All IBEW Local 363 Members And Their Families!

Happy Labor Day to all IBEW Local 363 members and their families. Here is a short Labor History lesson for your use:

Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Founder of Labor Day

More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.

Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."

But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.

The First Labor Day

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

Labor Day Legislation

Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From them developed the movement to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

A Nationwide Holiday

The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take were outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

The character of the Labor Day celebration has undergone a change in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio, and television.

The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.

ABINBEV MCC Workers Choose IBEW Local 363 In NLRB Election

The workers at the ABINBEV Metal Container Corporation have choosen IBEW Local 363 to represent them in collective bargaining in an election that was held on Friday August 27 and Saturday August 28 by the National Labor Relations Board.

These workers manufacture the cans for Budweiser Beer and other beverage companies affiliated with the company which is now called ABINBEV after the sale of the Anheuser Busch Company to INBEV - a Belgium owned company.

This campaign started approximately 6 months ago and there was a tremendous amount of work put into this effort by countless workers at the plant and by IBEW Local 363. This is a solid group of workers who are very proud to become members of the IBEW and especially of Local 363.

They understand the power associated with having a written contract to work under. With the sale of AB, the workers knew they had to take steps of their own to protect themselves and they contacted Local 363 to make that happen. They picked the right union!

We are glad they had the courage to take those steps and we welcome them into the IBEW. There are 164 NEW IBEW 363 members now because of their courage and effort to band together to join the union and to speak with one voice.

Once again, welcome to IBEW Local 363!

IBEW Local 363 Clambake Will Be Held On September 18, 2010

Business Manager John Maraia has announced that the Annual IBEW Local 363 Clambake will be held as scheduled on September 18, 2010 at The Platzl Brauhaus at 127 Call Hollow Road, Pomona, NY 10970 from 9:30AM - 5:30PM.

Tickets CANNOT be purchased at the door.

If you have not purchased a ticket yet you can still do so by mail as long as a check for $50.00 made out to the IBEW Local 363 Clambake is received in the Harriman union office by 9/10/10.

If you are HAND DELIVERING a check you can purchase a clambake ticket up to the day prior to the bake at the Harriman Office.

Remember there are NO DOOR SALES - so act now if you are planning to attend. Hope to see you there.

Out Of Town Work Update - Updated August 27

For any of our Brothers and Sisters who are interested in traveling we have just been informed of an opportunity in the North East:


IBEW Local 7 Sprinfield, Ma will be hiring travelers soon. They have a couple of big switch yards that they will be starting soon. Here is the contactinfor for IBEW Local 7:

IBEW Local 7
185 Industry Avenue
Springfield, Ma. 01104

(413) 734- 7137 Tel
(413) 746-4568 Fax
ddalma@ibewlocal7.com
Business Manager Daniel D'Alma

Call Local 7 for signing and resigning information

Out Of Town Work Updates 8- 17-10

We have beem informed that the following IBEW Locals will be looking for people soon.

IBEW Local 1579 Augusta, Georgia - They have a NUKE Plant that has just started. Come the Fall of 2010 they will be looking for up to 600 electricians. Here is their contact info:

IBEW Local 1579
1250 Reynolds Street
Augusta, Georgia 30901
(706) 722-6357 tel
(706) 724-9792 fax

admin@ibew1579.org


IBEW Local 1547 Anchorage Alaska - looking for men now - Must have State License - can take 4 hour code book test.

Here is the contact information for Local 1547

IBEW Local 1547
3333b Denali Street, Siute 200
Anchorage, Alaska 99503

(907) 272-6571 tel
(907) 777-7255 fax
webmaster @ibew1547.org

As always, we are constantly checking throughout the country for leads to help our unemployed Brothers and Sisters who wish to travel get the proper and most updated information.

Also, if any of our members hear of any local union that they would like us to call to inquire about work for travelers - please call Ross Olivieri in our referral office and he will contact the
local(s) requested.

Taylor $100 Million Biomass Facility To Receive Loan Guarantee

Taylor Biomass in Montgomery should be able to move forward with its plans to build its first biomass gasification plant to convert trash to electricity.

The US Department of Energy has given initial approval, and is ready to give the final OK, for $100 million in loan guarantees for the project.

Senator Charles Schumer and Congressman Maurice Hinchey and other politiciansjoined IBEW Local 363, Building Trades Officials and company leaders, including President James Taylor, to make the announcement.

Schumer called Taylor a visionary.

“His work with our help is going to make the world a better place,” he said.

Taylor now hopes to break ground on construction this fall.

“Senator and congressman, I would ask you to extend your invitation to President Obama and Secretary [of Energy] Chu to put on their schedule sometime around October 15, 2010 to put the shovel in the ground in Montgomery,” he told the lawmakers at a news conference at his office.

There is a project-labor agreement that's in place for this project so we are pushing for this project to move forward.

We have been working closely with Jim Taylor for years hoping we would see this project come to life. It is as close as you can be right now - let's keep our fingers crossed.

Urgent: Important Notice About The IBEW Local 363 Clambake

This is an important notice to all members about the IBEW Local 363 Annual Clambake. The ticket orders for this years clambake have been extremely slow. We understand the economic situation has contributed heavily to this situation but under the circumstances we are obligated to send out this reminder notice.

We strongly encourage all Brothers and Sisters of IBEW Local 363 who want to attend this years bake to act now and send in their check for $50.00.

We have a deadline to meet in order to book the event. At this time we do not have enough tickets sold to have the bake.

We have until August 18th to have the number of tickets sold to book. We are between 70 and 100 tickets short of booking.

If you have not sent in a check yet please do that THIS WEEK. You can send it to the Harriman Office and write clambake on the envelope and makes your check to:

IBEW Local 363 Clambake for $50.00.

If there are not enough tickets sold to book any member who sent in their check will be refunded their money.

We will inform the membership of any developments.

HIRE ACT Checks Out - Paperwork Safe For Our Members To Sign

Last week, President Obama signed into law the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act (HR 2847). The law includes several major tax provisions designed to promote job growth as the nation’s economy continues to recover from recession.

The “Hire Now Tax Cut” provides $13 billion in tax breaks to qualified employers both in the form of payroll forgiveness for Social Security taxes paid for qualified new hires, as well as a tax credit for keeping those employees on payroll for 52 consecutive weeks.

We have consulted with our attorneys and you can feel free to sign any form related to the HIRE Act that the employer asks you to sign.

Thank you to everybody for complying with the delay.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT "THE HIRE ACT"

PLEASE DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING for your contractor in regard to "THE HIRE ACT" tax incentive program.

IBEW Local 363 is examining this program and we are looking into how to proceed.

Check back here soon for updates about THE HIRE ACT and how it will affect our membership.

Out Of Town Work Update 7-19-10

Local Union 1316 Macon, Georgia

Local Union 1316 has reported to us that they will be hiring from Book II in the near future for some Power House work. Anyone who is interested in signing their Book II should call Ross Olivieri ASAP at (845)783-3500. Ross will explain what the process is for you to sign the book and the requirements for the resign. If you are looking to travel to this local please call Ross right away.


Local 910 Watertown New York

Local 910 will also be hiring travelers for work in their jurisdiction soon. The information you need to sign the Book at Local 910 is as follows:
Sign between 8-10 in Plattsburgh and 8-4 in Watertown. The way it works is that there are two locations to sign but one actual referral book.
Resign is 30 days or less in person, by fax, mail or online.
Call Local 910 for directions or with any further questions:

IBEW Local 910 - Watertown (315) 782-5630 tel
(315) 788-5701 fax
www.ibew910.org

As always, if any of our Brothers or Sisters in the construction division have a traveling tip they want to share or work opportunities to be checked out - please call Ross Olivieri in our referral office. We will post all information we get in order to pass it on to our members who are interested in traveling to other locals to work.

Anheuser Busch INBEV Workers Reach Out To IBEW Local 363

Workers at the building on Stewart Airport property known as the "Bud Can Plant" were always treated very well by the company.

"Bud" was an All-American company then.

Now that's all changed. "Bud" is no longer an American owned product.

It was sold to a company from Belgium called Inbev - now the worlds largest beer brewer.

That's not the only change that is coming. The workers are being held hostage to promises of cutbacks that the company openly brags will line the pockets of the top 40 Executives with millions of dollars that used to belong in the workers pockets.

There are already riots in Europe because of this companys detrimental actions in regard to its labor force.

Seeing the handwriting on the wall, the workers in the Newburgh plant contacted the IBEW Local 363 and asked the local to help them organize.

These workers need a contract. There has been an overwhelming effort and response by the workers to bring in local 363.

Please support these fellow workers and future IBEW Local 363 members in their goal to become organized

Happy Fourth of July To All IBEW Local 363 Members

Happy Fourth of July to all members of IBEW Local 363. We live in the greatest country in the world where we can say what we wish and do whatever we want to do.

We have rights in this country that do not exist in most countries. We should cherish those rights and exercise them as we feel the need.

No American should ever be be intimidated or threatened in retaliation for defending those rights.

Happy Independence Day!

IBEW Exposes Carpenters Rouge Electrical Union

IBEW, Building Trades Call On St. Louis Carpenters-Affiliated Local 57 to Stop Undercutting Standards
June 16, 2010


...

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is launching a sweeping campaign to convince St. Louis Carpenters Local 57 to stop performing electrical work that undercuts union standards of quality, safety and wages.

Billboards have been mounted in several locations, and the message can be seen and heard in radio and print ads this week. A unity rally June 15 drew more than 1,000 members from several craft unions to hear national leaders of the IBEW and other trades.


Said IBEW International President Edwin D. Hill:

It isn’t news that the construction market is depressed; IBEW members in St. Louis are facing 35 percent unemployment. We should be working together to win contracts to put building trades members back to work and preserving good jobs in St. Louis and across the country. Now is not the time to be fighting each other.


IBEW Local 1 in St. Louis is the gold standard of professional excellence for electricians in St Louis. IBEW members are trained in five-year apprenticeships that certify them as master electricians. Members are constantly upgrading their skills and experience as new technologies are introduced. Carpenters Local 57, by contrast, did not comply with federal standards on apprenticeship programs, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

More details are available at www.local57facts.com.

Rolling billboards start circulating in other cities this week, including Las Vegas, Cleveland, Minneapolis and Pittsburgh.

Building and Construction Trades Department (AFL-CIO) President Mark Ayers headlined the event, joining leaders representing the wide range of skilled craft workers that have a tradition of respect for each other’s skills and specialties.

The IBEW’s distinguished history of skilled professionalism began in St. Louis, where the first local was founded in 1891. For nearly 120 years, the IBEW brand has conveyed quality, safety and value. IBEW members earn decent wages that allow them to raise families and be key members of thriving communities.

Said President Hill:

Journeyman IBEW electricians are honed by a five-year apprenticeships unrivaled worldwide in their scope and depth. When an IBEW member is on a site, customers can be assured that the job will be done right. When you’re working with high-voltage electricity, why would you want anyone else?

With more than 5,000 members, Local 1's jurisdiction encompasses the City of St. Louis and 25 Missouri counties. Local 1 members perform electrical construction for many specialty contractors, as well as electrical work with telecommunications firms, sign companies, maintenance operations, manufacturers, automatic door firms, appliance repair shops, lightning rod companies, alarm and security firms, motor repair shops and electrical supply houses.

Local 1’s apprenticeship is a five-year program of study, including one day each week in the classroom with professional instructors. Apprentices complete 960 hours of classroom training and qualify for 49 college credits upon completion of the rigorous program.

The IBEW is an international labor organization that represents approximately 725,000 workers in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Republic of Panama. The IBEW has members in construction, utilities, manufacturing, telecommunications, broadcasting, railroads and government.

Contractors On Orange Regional Medical Center Cheat Workers And NYS Taxpayers

Remember when the local construction unions were told that their contractors were NOT competitive enough with their bids to build the new Orange Regional Medical Center hospital?

Well, well, look at this one.

No wonder why legitimate union contractors prices were rejected as being too "HIGH".

The New York State Department of Labor has heavily fined THREE NON-UNION CONTRACTORS at the Orange Regional Medical Center for PAYING WORKERS OFF THE BOOKS, NOT PAYING THEM OVERTIME and ILLEGALLY DEDUCTING MONEY FROM THEIR PAYCHECKS.

Not to mention they brought in Out of State Workers to do it.

The Department of Labor announced Wednesday that it fined the three companies a total of $265,207. The workers were robbed of $118,000 in wages and illegal deductions from what little pay they did get.

It all seems pretty clear now who were the good guys, who were the bad guys in the construction of this hospital.

The ones working and building the hospital didn't pay their taxes on their pay and yet the unemployed locals paid the tax on their unemployment checks.

Thanks Orange Regional Medical Hospital for all you have done to and for our local LEGITIMATE CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS.

And thanks for showing the entire Hudson Valley and the union workers why you cannot believe the spin put on the "sin" of making a prevailing wage or that it is bad for business.

We will forever use the Orange Regional Medical Center as an example of how many contractors in the construction business submit that "lowest bid".

Remembering Our American Veterans On Memorial Day

It is with great pride that IBEW Local 363 recognizes and remembers all veterans who served and protected our country.

We hope that everyone will take a moment to join with us and give thanks to the brave men and women who made the American way of life possible.

Thank you to all veterans who serve and who have served our great country.

Inside Electrical Agreement Ratified By IBEW Local 363 Members

The Inside construction wireman membership ratified a new construction agreement at our May union meeting. The agreement is for a term of one year and includes no change in the current wage rates. There were a couple of small language changes agreed to and some clarification in regard to posted jobs.

Thank you to our members who particpated in the negotiations and to those who sent in suggestions and comments. We will meet again with the contractors association in 2011 to negotiate a successor contract.

Middletown "Requests For Proposals" For PLA Study Are In

Back in April the Middletown School Board voted 5-4 to send out "requests for proposals" from companies that would be interested in doing a study to see if a PLA would save the district money on their construction costs for their new elementary school.

The proposals were due in to the school district last Friday May 21st. Now the board and the superintendent will evaluate the proposals, the estimated costs of the study and they will either pick a company to do the study or decide not to proceed.

Either way, it is their decision. We hope that the school board sees the advantage of utilizing the PLA for the financial savings to the district, for the local workers who will be employed there and for the students that may get a chance to start a career in one of the building trades through the various apprenticeship programs.

The next board meeting is on June 3, 2010 at 7:30 pm. HOWEVER - As of this date, we have not confirmed whether this will be on the agenda that night or not.

Please check back here for the next meeting date in regard to this subject and come out to support the PLA proposal.

Vote For Lynne Perkins For Middletown School Board

Tomorrow there is a School Board election being held in Middletown. This election - for one seat only - could very well decide whether or not the school will use a PLA to build its new $60 million elementary school this year.

The subject of PLA's came to light recently in the Middletown District and there were clear lines drawn among those on the board in regard to who supports PLA's or even local labor for that matter.

Lynne Perkins stood up for the local workers and for the taxpayers and gave her full suppport to a motion to have a PLA study done to see if the district could save money on their multi-million dollar project. She was one of five - on the nine person board, who voted yes to do that study.

Now she is being targeted for defeat for bucking the Superintendent - who is NOT a supporter of PLA's, organized Labor or even local labor.

We are supporting Perkins because she is an independent voice on that board.

The bottom line is that she supported our cause - which was to get work for our unemployed members - when we needed her to do that.

COME OUT ON TUESDAY MAY 18 NOON TO NINE PM and VOTE FOR LYNNE PERKINS for Middletown School Board.

Voting sites are: Middletown High School, Twin Towers Middle School, Chorly Elementary School and Truman Moon Promary Center

Election questions? call (845) 326-1196

BIG Thanks To Members Who Came Out This Week To Middletown And Ramapo

Thank you to everyone who attended public meetings with us this week in an effort to help get work for our unemployed members.

The Town of Ramapo had a meeting on Thursday night about the brand new, multi-million dollar minor league baseball stadium.

We asked our members to come out and support this project BECAUSE there is some opposition to it. Groups of people who are against it are starting to come out. We need to show that there are people who support it that want the stadium AND jobs it will bring.

Having a stadium for a minor league team is a positive investment for a cummunity and we support it.

The Middletown School Board had a budget meeting - also on Thursday night - and we attended to continue to push for the PLA.We are showing support for those who voted with us and ordered the PLA study to be done.

Thanks to those who came out to support the $60 million dollar project that will bring work for our members.

Middletown also has a SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION for ONE SEAT coming on MAY 18, 2010. This is A VERY IMPORTANT ELECTION. The Supervisor, Eastwood wants Boardmember Lynn Perkins off the board because she voted for the PLA Study and he didn't want her to do it.

We need to support Lynn Perkins for Middletown School Board all building trades unions and members need to vote for her. She supported labor and keeping jobs local and union.

Need People To Attend Candidates Night This Monday In Middletown

We were informed by email on Friday night that there will be a Middletown School Board candidates night held on this Monday night at 7pm at the Monhagen Middle School.

Here is the email:

The first candidate forum for the Middletown School Board Election is sponsored by the MTA
(teachers union)and will be held 5/3/10, Monday, at 7 PM at Monhagen Middle School off of County Rte. 78. Questions will be permitted from the audience.

I appreciate as many supporters as possible who can be there.

Thank you for your support, Lynne Perkins

Lynn Perkins is the ONLY seat up for re-election and she is being targeted FOR DEFEAT because SHE SUPPORTED THE PLA for the new $60 million dollar elementary school. We need her to stay on the board in order to even have a chance at having a PLA after the study comes back.

The Superintendent and four others on the baord are against PLAs and not supporters of local construction unions. They are working hard to unseat Perkins to kill the PLA issue.

There will still be a vote on this later and we need her there. We need to support those who support us.

Pass the word. Any Middletown School District members from IBEW Local 363 who can make it should come - others can come too just to show support. Retirees are always welcome too.

Here are the directions to the school


MONHAGEN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Phone: 346-4800
555 County Rte. 78
Middletown, NY 10940
Take Route 17 West to Exit 120. At end of ramp turn left on Rt. 211 West. Continue straight for approximately 4 ½ miles. (Rt. 211 will eventually turn right – don’t turn – stay straight). Turn right onto County Rt. 78. Monhagen is second school on left (about ¼ mile).

Take Route 84 West to Exit 3W (Middletown) onto Route 17M. Take Route 17M to 2nd traffic light. Turn left onto short bypass to County Route 78. Continue through 2 traffic lights to second school on left.

See you there.

Inside Electrical Negotiations To Be Held This Friday Morning In Harriman

Business Manager John Maraia has announced that negotiations for the Inside Principal Agreement for electrical construction will take place in Harriman this Friday at 9:30am with the Hudson Valley Chapter of NECA. Our negotiation team met today to discuss and devise a plan of action to implement in this next round of bargaining.

Our negotiation committee has agreed to stay at the bargaining table through the night and the entire weekend if that is what is neccessary to gain a respectable and fair contract for our membership. We are determined to have our members concerns addressed and their interests protected in any potential contract that we negotiate.

We believe that our committee has been upfront and fair through this entire process and we will continue to protect the integrity of our membership until these bargaining sessions produce a fair contract.

We will keep the membership informed of any results that come out of this session.

Please continue to check back to our website for additional information and updates in regard to these sessions.

Middletown School Board Changes Gears And Votes Yes To Do PLA Study

The meeting started at 7:30 PM and went late into the night with many of our union Bothers coming to the mike expressing their support for local workers and PLA's.

The non union employees were out in force - along with their bosses - speaking against PLA's and praising the board members who fought the idea no matter what positive facts and figures were brought in front of them.

The night proved two facts - we can get alot accomplished if we band together and speak out for our cause and we better prepare to INCREASE OUR NUMBERS AND EFFORTS. The anti-union crowd made an attempt to bring what they thought were big numbers but they could not overpower our numbers - this time.

We cannot ever let them produce more support then we do for issues like these that will put OUR MEMBERS to work.

At 12:45 AM - The Middletown School Board voted 5-4 in favor of doing the required study to see if a PLA would be worth using on the new $60 million dollar elementary school scheduled for construction this later year.

When we arrived at the meeting we did not have the votes for it - the tally was 5-4 against doing the PLA study.

Our efforts lobbying the board prior to the meeting and making our opinions known at the meeting itself turned the fifth and deciding vote our way.

Let's increase our efforts. Let's pass the word when there are meetings and let's get our membership to come out and support our issues.

Tonight proved it can be done.

Thanks to all from the IBEW and Local 363 who came out to help.

Help Us To Remind All Of Your IBEW 363 Brothers and Sisters

Please help us remind all IBEW Local 363 members that we need a really good showing at the Middletown High School THIS THURSDAY at 7:30 PM - Get there at around 7 PM.

We are trying to convince the school board to do the study needed in order for them to use a PLA on their $60 Million Dollar Plus New Elementary School.

The Board is currently split 5-4 against even looking at using a PLA but it is all due to POLITICS within the board and not because of any factual reasons.

We need everyone who is from Middletown to sign up to speak and just walk to the mike and say these words:

"I am a taxpayer in this school district and I want and/or demand that this school board looks to see if a PLA will save us taxpayers any money"

If that is too much then walk to the mike and say:

"You owe it to us - the taxpayers - to look into this - my taxes are too high to not even try to save us some money - use the PLA"

Every building trades union is supposed to send people to this meeting but WE NEED TO LEAD THE WAY.

Google directions to the Middletown High School and come out to support a great opportunity to put some local people AND OUR MEMBERS to work.

7:30PM THIS THURSDAY - PASS IT ON.

PLA UPDATE - We Need To Be In Middletown On Thursday April 22

Thank you to the members that came out on Thursday night at the Middletown High School to stand up and support using a PLA on their upcoming new elementary school.

WE NEED TEN TIMES AS MANY OF YOU TO SHOW UP AT THE NEXT MEETING ON THURSDAY APRIL 22 AT 7:30 PM AT THE NEW MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL

The PLA issue is getting hot now and it looks like our chances are better at getting the school board to go forward with approving a study to see if a PLA will be worth using on the brand new elementary school they are building this year.

WE NEED YOU THERE TO HELP SHOW SUPPORT.

Time is short and there is no time to waste. We don't know if we are going to get a PLA but we need to make sure that it isn't because of us - OR A LACK OF EFFORT ON OUR PART - if we don't get it.

We NEED to show that people support using local labor, UNIONS and the possibility of the Middletown School district saving some money.

We can't put this any plainer - it's time to get out and support OURSELVES.

Keep checking back on this site in case of an update or time change in the meeting....

.....and help spread the word to every Brother and Sister in this union and to the other trades too -

...it's time to come out.

Calling All Members To The Middletown School Board Meeting This Thursday 7:30 PM

THIS THURSDAY APRIL 8TH AT 7:30 PM AT THE MIDDLETOWN HIGH SCHOOL there is a Middletown School Board meeting being held and utilizing a PLA on the new Elementary School - scheduled for construction this year - will be discussed.

The Board is split 5 against and 4 for on whether to use a PLA or not at this time. The issue has become a political fight between the sides and we need to make sure that this decision is based on merits and not because one side is fighting with the other.

Come out and show your support for PLA's, putting local people to work and investigating whether a PLA can save the taxpaying citizens of the Middletown School District some money in construction costs.

The address for Middletown High School is:
24 Gardner Avenue
Middletown, NY 10940-3240

WE NEED ALL MEMBERS TO COME OUT AND SHOW SUPPORT - those from Middletown should sign up to speak in favor of doing the study to see if the PLA will save money.

Hope to see everyone this Thursday 7:30 PM at the High School.

Update On West Point Salting Possibilities

Thank you to all of our members who contacted Tradesource in response to our posting about them hiring for West Point. Please keep yourself current with them for any other upcoming work in our area. However, we have information that says they will NOT be hiring for West Point.

Professional Electric - the Norwood, Massachusetts contractor that has the West Point Prep School and the West Point Motor Pool Facility seems to be now hiring DIRECT.

We are asking our members to apply directly to Professional Electric. The following is their contact information:

Professional Electric
100 Access Road
Norwood, Massachusetts 02062
Tel: (888)732-3532 or (781)769-7767

Website: www.pecofct.com We have found that this site is currently temporarily out of service but you can check back on it periodically to see if you can apply online

For now -apply via telephone call - Ask if you can email or fax your resume or information, Ask if they have an application that they can provide to you by email or regular mail.

As always, please keep the union hall updated on your efforts to be hired with this company. If you feel that you have a chance to get hired or move further into the hiring process after you have called - please call Organizer John Sager at (845) 216-7021.

Industry Experts Agree: PLA's Benefit Construction Users and the Public

The Building and Construction Trades Council reported that: Experts from the construction industry, academia and local government spoke to the value of Project Labor Agreements at a conference jointly sponsored by the School of Labor & Industrial Relations and the School of Planning Design & Construction at Michigan State University.

The conference, "Understanding PLAs", was designed to bring together leading experts on the subject of PLAs.

There was even an unintended surprise when a panelist for the Associated Builders and Contractors, an industry group that is aggressively opposed to PLAs, shocked both his colleagues on the panel - there to present the ABC’s opposition to PLAs - when he actually praised PLAs as being a “good thing.”

The ABC panelist – an attorney with Foster, Swift, Collins and Smith, PC in Michigan – even singled out for praise a Metropolitan Building Trades Council for their work on a PLA project in Michigan that included both union and non-union contractors.

Other panelists unanimously endorsed the concept of PLAs as being good for on-time and on-budget construction. Steve DiBartolo – a Vice President for Hill International; a professional services and construction management firm that specializes in helping its clients minimize the risks inherent in the construction process – spoke to the cost savings that can be achieved by construction owners through the use of project labor agreements.

He was followed by Doug Maibach, of Barton Mallow (a nationally recognized provider of construction management services) who offered a unique perspective of the value of PLAs. Most “revenue producing” projects (i.e. sports stadiums; casinos; etc.) that require a fast construction phase in order to minimize revenue loss, are almost universally constructed under a PLA. This is due to the fact that PLAs offer greater jobsite efficiencies and cost savings through the employment of a safe, highly skilled, highly trained and highly productive workforce.

Another value that PLAs bring an area is to provide pathways for local, disadvantaged residents to secure career training opportunities through the building trades’ local joint skilled apprenticeship programs.

All in all, the conference offered a ringing endorsement of the overall economic and social value that PLAs provide to construction owners, contractors, government entities, and the community at large.

Employing a knowledgable,trained, productive and safe workforce on a project is the most important component required in making the project progress efficiently.

When the public hears the truth about PLA's they overwhelmingly support using them.

Help spread the word - PLA's make Sense!

Reminder - Don't Forget To Apply For Your "TWIC" Card

Just a reminder - on January 21, 2010 a letter was mailed to every construction member urging all to look into applying for what is called a "TWIC" card. "TWIC" stands for "Transportation Worker Identification Credential"

Don't let the name fool you, it is not just related to transportation workers - it will affect the construction workers ability to be cleared for work on large projects throughout the country.

Having this card or not could decide whether you are allowed to work on projects such as Power Generation Plants, Chemical Plants, Federal Projects along rivers and other projects that fall under what is known as the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA. )

Basically, this is a result of increased Homeland Security Regulations and will most likely be required in regard to ANY project near any river.

This is a Federal regulation and it will apply to both inside and outside of our jurisdiction and throughout the entire country.

For information on how to apply for your TWIC card, please contact Ross Olivieri at the Union Hall at (845) 783-3500.

Possible Salting Opportunity At West Point - Apply NOW

We have information that Tradesource - a company that refers electricians and other trades to non union projects is looking for electricians in this area. We know that one of the projects is in West Point for an Out of State Contractor.

We already have members who have been contacted and have been called by Tradesource because they have salted with this employment agency on previous salting assignments. These members have already informed the union hall that they have been called.

We want every member who wants to help the local and is in need of employment to have the ability to gather information on these projects
-especially the West Point project - so we encourage you to call the Tradesource Westchester County office and start the application process.

You can apply either openly union or you can hide your union affiliation. Either way is acceptable to us. So you know, it is not considered "lying" on an application to hide union membership. In fact, it is your right to conceal or reveal it to anyone you choose.

Please take the time and go to the "Join IBEW Local 363" box on our website and READ THROUGH the box labeled "Salting". It is there that you will find the information you need to know about the difference between "salting" and just "working non-union".

If you are hired you will be helping the union by gathering information and following the direction of the local union organizers or agents and you will be making a paycheck at the same time. It is a win-win situation for you as a union member.

Here is the phone and address of Tradesource in Westchester County, NY:

Westchester
172 E Boston Post Road 1st Floor
Mamaroneck NY 10543
(914) 381-1700


Here is the link to their website:
http://www.tradesource.com/contact-us/branch-locator.html#NY

Please remember that to fail to notify the local union if you have agreed to start the process or accept a job is not salting - it is only working non-union - which is not an acceptable situation.

Please call the union hall with any information or if you get any indication that you could be hired. You can ask for our Organizer John Sager or our Sr. Assistant Business Manager Sam Fratto and they will help you with any concerns or questions.

Thank you all in advance for your help and efforts.

Ulster Legislators Pass Resolution Supporting $400 Million Dollar Belleayre Project

Thank you again to our IBEW Local 363 members in Ulster County for attending the Ulster County legislators meeting on Tuesday night on such short notice.

Through direct phone calls and information posted on our new website, we notified and asked every member we have living in Ulster County to attend to show our support - along with the other building trades members - of this $400 Million dollar luxury resort to be built in the Shandaken area.

The Ulster Legislators heard our concerns and passed a resolution supporting this project.

Although there are other hurdles for the project to pass over before construction can begin - it sends a message that there is strong support to make this project become a reality.

There will be more meetings in regard to this project in the near future and we will surely be asking our members to come out again.

We need our members to continue their effort to show UNION FRIENDLY DEVELOPERS that when we are asked to come out - we can produce supporters for all legitimate projects in our jurisdiction.

Thank you again and stay tuned to our website for information on future meetings for this project and others in our territory.

Ulster Residents and All Other Interested Members: Another Belleayre Resort Meeting

Thank You to our members who came out last week for the informational meeting about the multi-million dollar Belleayre Resort project. We had a pretty good turnout considering the short notice we got from Belleayre Officials.

WELL THEY HAVE DONE IT AGAIN - THEY HAVE REACHED OUT TO IBEW LOCAL 363 AND THE BUILDING TRADES AND ASKED US TO ATTEND ANOTHER MEETING ON EVEN SHORTER NOTICE.

Please make an effort to attend another meeting on Tuesday March 16, 2010 at the Ulster County Building at 244 Fair St, Kingston (6th Floor) at 7 PM - this time there will be a public speaking session and they need people to stand up and support the project.

If you are from Ulster and can come please speak in favor by just saying that the county and the people in it need the jobs this project will bring.

Too often all the politicians hear are the ENVIRONMENTALISTS. Let's let them hear the WORKING PEOPLE for a change!

Your 363 representatives will be there to speak but we need the voice of the Ulster residents who support the project to be heard too.

It's short notice - but with a great payoff in the end - see you there at 7 PM.

A Big Thank You To Our Membership For Your Contract Suggestions

Contract negotiations are in progress and we want to thank all of our members who gave us their input in regard to the new contract. We can summarize the collective concerns of our members from those suggestions down to two very important points: 1) Help us to get more competitive 2) work toward preserving our pensions and health plans.

IBEW Local 363 members can rest assured that the goal of the bargaining committee during these negotiations is the exact same goal as theirs. We will be discussing the local electrical market in depth with our contractors and we will negotiate the best possible agreement that will answer the concerns of our members.

Our Committee, led by our Business Manager John Maraia, has much experience in bargaining contracts and negotiating and we are confident that we can come out of these sessions with a contract that will address our needs in these hard times.

Shut Down in Local 300 Vermont - Call Now To Confirm Availability

WE just received word of a shut down in Local 300, Montpelier Vermont. According to our information the shut down is beginning right around March 1. Currently there are 40 on Book I and 63 on Book II. They will be looking for 70 workers for the shut down and expect to have refusals from many of those on the books already.

Sign 8:30AM - 3:30 PM at the hall - bring your dues receipt.
We suggest that you call there before taking the drive. With work as slow as it is across the country things change quickly. The number to the hall is (802) 864-5864 - Business Manager Jeff Wimette. Find the address by clicking on Vermont in the Tramp Guide page located in the Traveling Info Box on this site.

Here Are The Latest Out Of Town Work Updates

Here are the Out of Town Work Updates and recent additional requests from our members in regard to possibilities of work in other locals across the country. Most locals are in the same situation that we are and at best expect to pick up in the Spring and Summer. We have also been asked to check on work that will be available in Haiti, which we have included here.

The best bet for us seems to be one of the closest locals

Local 236 Albany - they expect to hire a lot of travelers this Spring. If you haven't signed their book and you are interested in working there you should sign there asap between 7:30 am and 4PM (excluding lunch).

ALSO L.U. 41 in Buffalo NY Looks like they will have work this summer. The book can be signed 8-5 Mon-Fri, you must bring a drivers license and dues receipt.
S-3546 California Rd.
Orchard Park, NY 14127
(716)662-6111

Other locals with possibilities are:

L.U. 295 Little Rock, Arkansas - Nuclear One Outage in March 2010.
59 on Book I - 79 on Book II $22.84 wage, $3.75 Annuity, H/W $5.00 Assessments 6.5%
Call them at (501) 562-2244

L.U. 223 in Lakeville MA. is in the planning stages for construction of a major movie studio. To sign Book II you just need a dues receipt.
111 Rhode Island Rd.
PO Box 1238
Lakeville, MA 02347
(508) 947-8555

Local Union 229 in York Pennsylvania has a new power plant starting. They have 450 men on Book II, It will be a couple of months before they will get to new signs. All are welcome to come and sign. You will need your dues receipt to sign. Hours are 7am to 4pm Monday to Friday

Local 716 - Houston, TX - there are 450 on Book II and they are looking at Spring or Summer before work picks up.


Others we checked that were NOT as promising were:

Local 306 Akron, Ohio - 130 Book I, 125 Book II Maybe work in Spring

Local 456 New Brunswick NJ is not putting out Book II

Local 728 - Ft. Lauderdale - no work, very slow

Local 934 - Kingsport, TN - no work at this time, very slow

Local 681 - Wichita TX - there are 70 on Book II, very slow

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN WORK IN HAITI:

YOU MUST SIGN BOOK II in Local 756 Daytona Beach, Florida
work is about two months away. The plan for housing workers is to use cruise ships.(There are no hotels to stay in)

As always, if you hear of a local that you think we should contact besides the ones we are checking please call our Referral Agent Ross Olivieri

Check The Official IBEW Local 363 Blog Or Just Click On The "Traveling Opportunities Box" On Our New Website For Out Of Town Work Updates

We believe that our membership needs to be aware of every possible work opportunity available across the country in these trying economic times.

Local 363 is in constant contact with local unions across the country in an effort to gather and pass employment information along to our members.

Many times our members will report possibilities and leads that they have heard to us. We encourage our Brothers and Sisters to share ALL INFORMATION they hear so that we can confirm and share that information with our entire membership.

IBEW Local 363 is committed to do everything possible to investigate every lead and to help our members become employed in addition to our efforts to help our contractors secure work in our territory.

Please check back on this blog frequently for information pertaining to out of town work opportunities.

Please continue to call in any information you may have so we can verify and post it for Local 363 members.