IUOE Local 542 Winter 2021 Newsletter

THE LOCAL 542 BiG SCOOP WINTER 2021
DiSTRiCT 1
DiSTRiCT 1 REPORTS
Mike Whitekettle
District Agent
Hello Brothers and Sisters, and welcome to a new year!
I want to address some things we are working on here in
Local 542. Let me start with the issue of other trades
raiding our equipment. This is not just an issue for 542, it is
a national problem that all Locals across the country are
dealing with as well. I am of the mindset they are trying to
do this because they are not strong enough to organize
new contractors to keep their members working, so it is
easier to try to steal our work.
I am asked quite frequently why we don't put up picket
lines. The answer is we cannot picket over a jurisdictional
dispute.
As far as forklifts are concerned, it is becoming a nonstop
battle to maintain our jurisdiction. Currently, some General
Contractors on projects have begun renting forklifts as
jobsite tools. Here again, we cannot put up a picket line
because we do not have bargaining rights against them
and, once again, it is a jurisdictional issue.
We also have IBEW Local 126 coming after utility electrical
work. They are claiming the work falls under highline work.
We strongly disagree with them on this point. We are
constantly battling with them to maintain our jurisdiction,
but again we are not permitted to picket over jurisdictional
issues.
On a brighter note, we are working day and night to
remedy these situations. We are in direct contact with the
International and are composing plans and strategies to
Local 542 Member Joe Grant working at the
Justice Center in Norristown.
District 1
Hiring Hall Agents
Renee Tiffany
Charlie Hamel
combat this growing problem. We have come up with
some ideas that look hopeful for the very near future.
I also want to tell you a few things about Marty Walsh,
our new Department of Labor Secretary. We believe he
can bridge various sections of the labor movement,
which is currently more divided than ever before. He
comes from the Building Trades.
He was formerly the Business Manager of Laborers
Local 223 in Boston and President of the Boston
Building Trades Council. Marty understands the culture
of construction workers and where we come from. He
understands and empathizes with the struggles of
millions of ordinary Americans currently facing severe
hardship, unemployment, and unsafe working
conditions. He, himself, has stood in unemployment
lines and has also struggled with addiction.
Walsh has been endorsed by Richard Trumka,
president of the AFL-CIO; Lee Saunders, president of
AFSCME; and Randi Weingarten, president of the AFT.
While these three organizations do not agree on
everything, they do agree Marty is the right person for
the job.
In closing, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year.
Also, anyone struggling with addiction can call me
anytime day or night to talk. You will find information
about our Members Assistance Program on page 31.
Thanks,
Mike Whitekettle
Joel Crooks
Steve Roffo
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