A Message from Business Manager Chris Erikson Jr.
The Gateway Tunnel saga continues. Despite the Trump administration’s repeated efforts to kill this project for various reasons – diversity, equity and inclusion practices and immigration policies among them, supposedly – a federal judge recently ruled the administration must allow funds to go to the project immediately. Keep in mind, these are funds that were already allocated to the project, not requests for new or additional money. This $16 billion project is critical for the New York metropolitan area and the entire Northeast Corridor. Additional lawsuits remain active seeking the release of the remaining funds.
Local 3, IBEW and the NYC Building and Construction Trades recently celebrated this win alongside Governor Kathy Hochul. Our Union was in discussions with the trades and key elected officials to ensure the fight to save this project was effective, and our rank-and-file members showed up multiple times in support of the project. The thing to remember is that we must fight for every job and for every federal dollar for infrastructure. We certainly can’t take anything for granted with the Trump administration, which is simultaneously driven by the whims and ego of one man and also the long-term effort to both weaponize and shrink the government. This administration’s goals are not ours.
This week, we acknowledge the 40th anniversary of the passing of Harry Van Arsdale Jr. We truly are lucky to have had such a visionary leader who made Local 3 what it is today, a progressive trade union that continues to provide and improve cradle-to-grave benefits for our members and families. Without Harry, there would be no pension, Death Benefit Society, Educational and Cultural Trust Fund and all of the educational benefits, the Long Island Educational Center, Electchester, Camp Integrity, or countless other things. Take a minute this week to reflect on Harry and what he did for us because we cannot ever take them for granted. Then, make sure you talk to our younger members about his legacy, so we never lose touch with Harry. He remains our hero and guiding light in Local 3.
