2016 "A" Negotiating Committee Chosen

On January 5th, Business Manager Christopher Erikson and the officers of Local 3 met with the Wage and Policy Committee in anticipation of the upcoming collective bargaining Agreement in the “A” Construction Department.
President John E. Marchell opened the meeting in the crowded auditorium to seated round tables of attentive Local 3 brothers and sisters. President Marchell welcomed the newly elected members from the graduated apprentice classes of 2011, 2012 and 2013 that were chosen by their classmates at a November meeting to represent them on the Wage and Policy Committee. The Committee then received reports from the Assistant Business Managers of Local 3 regarding the ongoing circumstances within each of their departments.
President Marchell welcomed Business Manager Christopher Erikson to the microphone for his report on the issues that were most discussed from the 2013 round of negotiations. Brother Erikson reviewed the last two contract terms and highlighted what he thinks will be important factors in this 2016 negotiating season. Business Manager Erikson went over the key issues of pension credits, health care benefits, issues pertaining to retirees, the Critical Care benefit, and the Annuity Fund Death benefit. Erikson also stated that the topic of the written language of the collective bargaining agreement will be reviewed. Committee members were encouraged to have discussions on the job in order to report feedback at future meetings to keep a pulse on what is most important to members industry-wide. Microphones situated throughout the crowd were then opened for discussion in which members spoke of their own concerns in regards to the upcoming contract.
The Business Manager asked that everyone prioritize for the future the importance of topics of Wage Increase; Medical Improvements; Pension Increase; Additional Holiday; Annuity/401(k) Increase; Increase to Retiree’s Pension Benefit; Early Retirement; Modifications to the Employment Plan and Work Rules.
The next order of business was to choose the negotiating committee for the 2016 “A” Construction collective bargaining Agreement. Members of the Wage and Policy Committee who wished to serve on the negotiating committee placed their names on cards which were deposited in a raffle tumbler. Before pulling the ten names, President Marchell explained that those selected had the choice to accept or deny responsibility as they were expected to be available for all meetings of sub-committees and put in long hours outside of work.
President Marchell explained that the Constitution and By-laws require the President to appoint all Committees and that the process was the method utilized to make all appointments. However, if after seven names it is apparent that the makeup of the Committee does not appear to be representative of the membership, he reserves the right as President to make the remaining selections in order to balance the Committee.
Those members chosen were Sean Glennon, Michael Bua, Sean Kelly, Edgar Ramos, Robert Massato Jr.,
Allison Ziogas, Diannery Perez, Cornelius Skeahan, Robert Foxx and Committee Chairman Steven Moy.
Business Manager Erikson expressed the union’s commitment to obtain a fair contract that addresses the needs of both parties and the industry as a whole but not at the expense of the workforce that has been suffering waves of unemployment. Erikson stated that communication will stay open at each meeting to keep the membership informed as to the progress of the negotiations and that besides the General Membership meeting, periodic reports will be given to the Wage and Policy Committee in an effort to get the information out to the rank and file.