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Sullivan gets award from Greater Boston Labor Council

On January 5th, 2009, leaders from many of the GBLC's member unions met with 3 Congressmen from the Boston area.  The meeting and breakfast was held at Plumbers' Local 12 in Dorchester.  Congressmen Barney Frank, Mike Capuano, and Stephen Lynch all took turns giving their view of the current conditions in Washington that relate to the labor movement.  Though the meeting was arranged mainly to discuss the Employee Free Choice Act, the Congressmen also took questions from labor leaders on issues ranging from Free Trade Agreement exemptions to the coming stimulus package that could top $1 trillion dollars.  On that issue, Congressman Frank mentioned that it was supposed to be called a "recovery" package, rather than "stimulus."  "I don't know why," he said, "I'd rather be stimulated than recovered."  Congressman Capuano noted that while it was important the bill be passed quickly, unions had to make sure that any rules that were 'waived' didn't negatively affect workers.  In addition to the Congressmen, union organizers from SEIU 615 and IBEW 103 also told stories highlighting the importance of the Employee Free Choice Act.  The meeting was arranged after a lengthy discussion at the GBLC December meeting, when it was decided that a breakfast would be more effective than a demonstration. "We're thrilled that we got three Congressmen," said GBLC President Lou Mandarini, "we're glad that we gave our affiliates the opportunity to voice their concerns."

In battleground states across America, organized labor was instrumental in President-elect Barack Obama’s historic victory on November 4^th 2008. According to polling conducted by the AFL-CIO, the union vote went 67% for Senator Obama to 30% for the Republican nominee John McCain. The AFL-CIO also announced that over a quarter of a million union activists participated in the Labor 2008 campaign.  The national effort, which saw Democrats make major gains in the House and Senate, has moved labor closer to achieving its goals of passage of universal health care and the Employee Free Choice Act, which would reform America’s broken labor laws.

We have a bid out for 8 Service Reps at 5 Davis Farm Rd.  Initial tour is 8:30 to 5:300.  Job vacancy # is B138.  To bid this job, call 877-375-6271.  This bid closes Sept. 23rd.

Open enrollment for benefits will be coming up in October.  You will need to make an election.

The automatic rollover option will not be available because of new systems being put in place by Fairpoint in the transition from Verizon.

Be sure to be looking for your open enrollment package in the mail.

The James Mayo Scholarship Committee is holding a raffle for 2 tickets to the New England Patriots/Jets game on Thursday, November 13th at Gillette Stadium.  Tickets are 5 dollars each.  See your E-Board rep or call the Union hall for tickets.

The winner will be drawn October 20th.

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