Operating Engineer - Winter 2013

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International Operating Engineer (ISSN 0020-8159) is published by the: International Union of Operating Engineers, AFL-CIO 1125 17 th Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 Subscription Terms - $5 per year Change of Address - Requests must be submitted in writing to the IUOE Membership Department (address above). Include your new address, registration and local union number. POSTMASTERS – ATTENTION: Change of address on Form 3579 should be sent to: International Operating Engineer Mailing List Dept. 1125 17th St., NW, 3rd Floor Washington, DC 20036 Publications Mail Agreement No. 40843045 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 2835 Kew Drive Windsor, ON N8T3B7 Printed in the U.S.A. International Union of Operating Engineers AFL-CIO general officers James T. Callahan, General President Brian E. Hickey, General Secretary-Treasurer William C. Waggoner, First Vice President Patrick L. Sink, Second Vice President Jerry Kalmar, Third Vice President Russell E. Burns, Fourth Vice President Rodger Kaminska, Fifth Vice President James M. Sweeney, Sixth Vice President Robert T. Heenan, Seventh Vice President Daniel J. McGraw, Eighth Vice President Daren Konopaski, Ninth Vice President Michael Gallagher, Tenth Vice President Greg Lalevee, Eleventh Vice President Terrance E. McGowan, Twelfth Vice President Louis G. Rasetta, Thirteenth Vice President Mark Maierle, Fourteenth Vice President trustees John T. Ahern, Chairman Kuba J. Brown, Trustee Bruce Moffatt, Trustee James T. Kunz, Jr., Trustee Joseph F. Shanahan, Trustee engineers action resPonse netWorK Because elections matter Make your voice heard • Register for EARN today www.iuoe.org 4 international operating engineer
From the General President A look back on the way forward A new year brings opportunities and challenges [James T. Callahan] At the beginning of each New Year, many of us resolve to make changes that will improve our lives, whether it is personally or professionally. These decisions and the choices we make going forward benefit from experiences we have gained. This is also true of our union. So before looking ahead, let’s look at what we can take away from the past year. In the course of one week last fall, the Operating Engineers experienced both tragedy and triumph. On October 29, Superstorm Sandy unleashed a fury of wind and water upon the Northeastern United States not seen in my lifetime. Homes were shattered and communities decimated. Over 500 fellow Operating Engineers sustained damage to homes and vehicles, and many lost everything. Despite the overwhelming devastation and personal loss, thousands of Operating Engineers mobilized, bringing their skill and training, to assist rescue crews and utility workers gain access to homes and communities cut off by flood waters and buried beneath sand and debris. Just as quickly, our locals reached out to members within the affected areas offering aid, supplies and a helping hand. Last year, the IUOE National Charity Fund paid out over $1.7 million in claims resulting from the superstorm and other natural disasters in the Gulf Coast region. Our locals and many individual members stepped up to help, donating close to $500,000 to the Fund. Our unity is our strength and together we will rebuild our homes, our communities and our states. About a week later, we were buoyed by news of a completely different nature. After weeks and months of hard work in the political campaign trenches, IUOE members turned out to vote in large numbers across the United States and reelected President Barack Obama. Member volunteers and union staff on the ground in key states were also instrumental in increasing the number of labor-friendly lawmakers, from both political parties, to the House and Senate. By doing so, we sent a message that we stand for a strong middle class, better wages, quality healthcare, safer working conditions and a stronger voice in the workplace for all Americans. Although the campaigns have ended, the real work is just beginning. We must remain engaged and hold politicians at every level accountable. Last year, labor faced some of its fiercest anti-union attacks from state legislatures. Most notably, Indiana and Michigan passed so called “right-to-work” laws. Let’s be clear, the term “right-to-work” is a lie. Under these laws workers lose rights and no work gets created – they are a cynical attempt to cripple unions and dismantle collective bargaining. These laws drive down wages, on average 14%, which damages the overall economy. Backed by well funded, ultra-conservative groups, “right-to-work” bills and ballot petitions are being introduced this year in places like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Missouri, New Hampshire and even Ontario, Canada. These attacks provide a vivid reminder that our enemies will use every opportunity to roll back our rights and drive down wages. The IUOE and our locals are taking proactive steps and partnering with allies to engage these attacks head on. We must bring the fight to them and we will. A positive carry over from last year is the economy, which finally started to show signs of life as work increased. We appear to have weathered the worst of the Great Recession and Operating Engineers are poised to seize the opportunities of 2013. Leading economic indicators point to steady and continued growth in the construction industry as many sectors of our economy – oil, gas, power generation, housing and manufacturing – anticipate growth over the coming decade. A major priority for IUOE will be in infrastructure investment. The nation’s highways, bridges and rail systems have been neglected and underfunded far too long. Working in a bipartisan way, we must make the case for a bold and sustained commitment. President Obama made multiple attempts in his first term and has signaled that he will continue to do so in his second, even making mention of it his inaugural address. We will work with the Administration to make the case that smart and strategic investments in infrastructure are needed right now, both to support jobs in the short term and to build a productive economy for the long haul. So it seems that this year’s to-do list isn’t any shorter or less meaningful than those in years past. We will continue to bring the energy, talent and resources necessary to create and seize opportunities for IUOE members and their families throughout the United States and Canada. We will stand with our signatory contractors and companies to increase market share and work to bring others on board. We will stand up to those who wish to roll back workers’ rights and drive down wages. In all these endeavors, let no one question our resolve to see the job through. Best wishes for a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year. WINTER 2013 5
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Page 7 and 8: Local 450’s new Union Hall and Tr
Page 9 and 10: It took 15 sidebooms, six cranes, a
Page 11 and 12: As I stood in front of the Dr. Robe
Page 13 and 14: The competitiveness of the nation a
Page 15 and 16: Local 18 Ramps Up the Fight Against
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Page 19 and 20: legislation authorizing badly neede
Page 21 and 22: Protecting Canadian Workers’ Righ
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Operating Engineer - Winter 2013

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