International Operating Engineer - Summer 2015

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
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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
Jerry Kalmar, Second Vice President
Russell E. Burns, Third Vice President
James M. Sweeney, Fourth Vice President
Robert T. Heenan, Fifth Vice President
Daniel J. McGraw, Sixth Vice President
Daren Konopaski, Seventh Vice President
Michael Gallagher, Eighth Vice President
Greg Lalevee, Ninth Vice President
Terrance E. McGowan, Tenth Vice President
Louis G. Rasetta, Eleventh Vice President
Mark Maierle, Twelfth Vice President
Randy Griffin, Thirteenth Vice President
Douglas W. Stockwell, Fourteenth Vice President
Got Big
News
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from Your
Local
We want to
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trustees
Kuba J. Brown, Chairman
Bruce Moffatt, Trustee
James T. Kunz, Jr., Trustee
Joseph F. Shanahan, Trustee
Edward J. Curly, Trustee
International Operating Engineer
appreciates the stories and
photos we receive from
local affiliates throughout
North America. Send us your
submissions or ideas for stories
you would like us to consider.
Send your submissions, plus
photos (digital images are
preferred), to Jay Lederer
at jlederer@iuoe.org, or mail
1125 Seventeenth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C., 20036
From the General President
That Summertime Swing
As work hours intensify let’s keep it safe
I HOPE YOU all are enjoying the
summer weather at long last. We
know from reports at the most recent
General Executive Board meeting
that our hoisting and portable locals
are experiencing a great summer
construction season, manning many
projects with nearly full employment.
The red hot pipeline industry
has cooled off some with a reported
reduction in overall hours due to the
decline in oil prices and demand for
production. In terms of job creation,
this sector has led the way out of the
recession and, despite the recent
slowdown, remains a strong industry
for Operating Engineers.
Our Stationary Department
continues to engage in the regulatory
and rule making process, attending
meetings and being a strong voice
for our members. This work is not
glamorous, but it is vitally important
as we address serious issues pertaining
to safety and licensing matters where
Building Operators are affected.
The International’s Health Care
Initiatives Department, headed by
David Treanor, has been diligently
monitoring the costs and regulatory
affects of the ever changing health
care industry and the burdens put
upon our Health and Welfare Funds
to supply quality care to our members.
I commend him and all the Fund
Administrators and Trustees for their
efforts.
I am pleased to report that progress
continues on the planning and
development of the International
Training Center. A committee of
local Training Directors and our
International staff has been working
closely with architects, geotechnical
experts and others to develop a state
of the art training facility. Our union’s
commitment and investment in high
quality training will be greatly enhanced
and provide even more opportunity to
our membership to attain the highest
qualifications in their chosen craft. I
look forward to sharing more details as
the project moves forward.
It’s hard to believe, but the
presidential election of 2016 is
already underway. The battle lines
have been drawn and it’s clear that
the frontrunners in the crowded
conservative field are fully prepared
to do the bidding of corporate power
brokers who seek to weaken the rights
of working men and women.
A full eighteen months away from
the election, the candidates and their
campaign committees are awash in
record amounts of cash. They are
being staked by the wealthy elites who
wish to widen the divide by rolling
back basic workers’ rights to organize,
bargain collectively and have a secure
retirement. And these candidates are
unashamed as they attempt to cast
American workers and their unions as
the cause for all of society’s ills.
I implore each of you to educate
yourselves and cut through the hype.
Your home local has solid background
information on the perils we face in
maintaining good paying jobs and
health and retirement benefits. Utilize
these resources and make an informed
choice.
We all understand the struggles
to provide for our families. We must
stay focused on that which affects our
livelihoods most and not get distracted
by over-hyped social issues that
disguise politicians’ true intentions
towards our work. We have seen too
many examples of that this year in
state legislatures, where politicians
got elected running on certain issues,
[James T. Callahan]
but then went to work eliminating or
weakening our rights and prevailing
wages behind the scenes. Your local
union has an eye on these attempts
and certainly needs your voice to beat
back these attacks from your local
legislators.
Unfortunately, our brothers and
sisters in Canada are not immune to
similar political challenges. Since
the Harper Conservative government
came to power, they have worked to
undercut the labor movement there.
The last minute passage of Bill C-377 in
July underscores their determination
to weaken unions and target workers.
Fortunately, Operating Engineers
throughout Canada have a chance
to change their government on
October 19. I urge every member to
exercise their vote and support those
who believe in a strong and vibrant
Canadian labor movement. And when
you do, take a friend or co-worker or
family member with you. Let’s all keep
fighting to make both countries union
strong.
Brothers and sisters, as your work
hours increase throughout these
summer months, let’s work safely and
always keep a watchful eye on those
around you. It is imperative that you
all go home to your families at the end
of the day.
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