PLA Legislation to be Introduced in Dutchess County

From HVALF.org

A Project Labor Agreement Resolution is being proposed by County Legislator Pete Wassell and will be introduced next month. We are asking union members to contact their Dutchess Legislator and ask them to become a co-sponsor of this important legislation.

PLA's were designed by the US Congress to produce the best work for public projects at the lowest cost to tax payers. PLA's increase productivity, set work rules, work times, holiday schedules, and wage rates, they provide a highly skilled supply of workers, they avoid work stoppages and leverage apprenticeship labor to reduce costs and build skills for the next generation of our local workforce. Most importantly, PLA's protect our borders - they are the only known legal way to guarantee local (Hudson Valley) worker employment. Otherwise, public project laborers can be brought in from out of state which deprive our residents of jobs and takes money out of our local economy.

The purpose of this resolution is to set the threshold amount for when PLA's need to be considered on Dutchess County government projects. The resolution calls for $3.5M as the threshold. Dutchess County would typically see a project of this magnitude approximately once every two years. Even if a county contact is over the threshold, PLA's are only initiated if a due diligence report shows a taxpayer cost savings. PLA project's do not cost more than any other project since government contracts require payment of prevailing wage.

Four nearby Republican County Execs and a local Republican Supervisor have gone on the record to promote the benefits of Project Labor Agreements. There Republican leaders are: Adrew Spano, County Exec, Westchester, C. Scott Vanderhoet, County Exec, Rockland, Robert Bondi, County Exec, Putnum, Edward Diana, County Exec, Orange, and Joan Pagones, Supervisor, Fishkill.

John Maraia Speaks to the Members

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I want to express my gratitude to all of the membership for your support. I look forward to your continued support as we work together to move forward and encourage you to participate in uniting the Local once again.

I am dedicated to working diligently and professionally with all elected officials to continue to run this Local effectively and always protect the interests of the membership.

I have scheduled a meeting for Monday June 29th with all the elected officials of the Local so we are already on our way to putting this Local back together. I believe it is in everyone’s best interest for us to begin to immediately look ahead and bridge the gaps that have developed.

Regrettably, I have not received a favorable response from all elected officials and one particular newly elected Executive Board member informed my office that he was directed not to attend.

I will continue to work for the good of the entire membership. Again, thank you for your support.

Fraternally yours,

John Maraia

Business Manager/Financial Secretary

Presidential Election Information

I have received some e-mails that some of our members did not like the political material sent out.

If you want your insurance premium taxed and the right to choose a union taken away and another 8 years of company controlled politicians, then vote McCain.

If you like seeing the cost of living continue to rise and your wages affected – although you receive increases on average of 3% a year but still don’t have enough money for the increase in gas, food, clothing, etc. – then vote for McCain.

As Business Manager, I have a responsibility to advise you – just like I did when I bargained in Albany with the company for 5 months to get a good contract; just like the bargaining in Nanuet for 2 months to get a contract; just like sitting across the table from the contractors for our agreement and good working conditions and trying to keep our union strong.

I can only point out who the better of the two candidates is for organized labor. You must make up your own mind and vote for the person you feel will better serve you as a union member.

Please visit VoteForChange.com and IBEW.org for more information.

John Maraia

Business Manager

ORMC Apellate Court Decision

We won the argument against ORMC today in the Appellate Court in Brooklyn New York to dismiss the injunction against ORMC to allow Rondout Electric back on site. We will be back in Orange County court on Tuesday October 7th for the hearing on the undertaking.

Victory In Case Over ORMC

"Upon foregoing papers it is ordered that this motion by defendant Orange Regional Medical Center (hereinafter "defendant") is denied and the motion by plaintiffs is granted to the extent that defendant, its employees and agents are restrained, pending further order of the court, from proceeding with or allowing electrical work at the hospital construction project which is the subject of this action pursuant to the contract with defendant Rondout Electric, Inc."

The decision stops ORMC and Rondout Electric from doing any more work. Thank you for all your support. We still need more support on this issue. I will keep you up to date on any other decisions.

The decision by the Supreme Court in Orange County regarding Orange Regional Medical Center is a big victory for the members of Local Union 363 but it is just the first step.

We must keep the pressure on ORMC to do the right thing. We must continue to make the calls to Scott Batulis and tell him to do the right thing and put our members to work!!

ORMC's phone number is 845-342-7516. Ask for Scott Bautilis

John Maraia

Business Manager