INSIDETHISISSUE
Local 103 Endorses President Biden and Vice President Harris for Reelection....................4
Senator Markey Invites Business Manager Lou Antonellis as Guest at State of the Union Address........................................................................................................................5
Hundreds Attend Mass Building Trades Unions' 105th Annual Convention in Springfield…….………...................................................................................................6
Local 103 IBEW and NECA Women In Construction Dinner.............................................7
Billerica Honors Local 103 IBEW Leaders for 20 Years of Support....................................8
New England Jewish Labor Committee Honors Business Manager Lou Antonellis.......10
Telemundo Climate Change Roundtable Features IBEW 103 Member Maria Villa........11
Members in Action...........................................................................................................12
Local 103 Rallies with Community Allies and Building Trades to Protect Community Standards.........................................................................................15
To provide Greater Boston’s developers with the best-trained, most efficient, safest electricians and telecommunications specialists, while fostering our Union’s values of economic fairness, equal opportunity, and charitable giving in the communities where we work, live, and raise our families. Our unwavering commitment to professional excellence is personified by our Joint Apprenticeship Training facility. The Local 103 JATC is among the most advanced electrical apprenticeship programs in the country. Working for better wages, better benefits, and fair working conditions is just one part of our Union’s focus. Local 103 members take pride in giving back their time and expertise to causes and charities serving those less fortunate.
REPORT
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
REPORT
Spring has sprung in a big way, with a notable surge in fresh opportunities and increased engagement to strengthen the labor movement on the part of Local 103 IBEW and its members. An April rally on Boylston Street kicked off a Spring/Summer of fighting for good jobs and Local 103 has played a leading role.
We rallied on the streets of Boston to protest against the use of exploitative labor practices in the city. This demonstration was important because the men and women of 103 have fought for over a hundred years to establish wages, benefits, and standards for the construction industry. Wall Street and anti-union corporate interests aim to come to Boston and tear those standards down. What these monied special interests don’t realize is that the men and women of Local 103 and the Boston building trades are not going to stand for this disrespect. We will continue to fight, and that’s why we will win.
Local 103 IBEW is proud to have endorsed President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for reelection in 2024. The Biden administration has protected the livelihoods of IBEW members and worked to create thousands of good, union jobs through union-friendly policies on high-tech chip manufacturing, infrastructure, data centers, battery plants, EV installations, and other clean energy jobs. Come this November, we'll be ready to get out the vote!
I am honored to serve as your Business Manager and am looking forward to what we will accomplish together throughout the rest of the year.
Yours in Solidarity,
Lou Antonellis Business Manager
Local 103 IBEW
From Lou Antonellis Business Manager / Financial Secretary Local 103 IBEW
LOCAL103IBEWENDORSES
PRESIDENTJOEBIDENAND
VICEPRESIDENTKAMALAHARRIS FORREELECTION
Local 103 IBEW proudly announces our endorsement of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for reelection in 2024. When he was elected in 2020, President Biden pledged to be the most pro-union president in history. Since taking office he has lived up to that promise, supporting workers organizing unions and exercising their right to bargain, and investing billions of dollars in infrastructure construction and green jobs.
As the most politically active union in New England, our members will take to the streets this election season to spread the word about the Biden administration’s track record of creating good jobs and powering an economy that truly works for everyone.
Our members recognize that President Biden and Vice President Harris are the leaders working people need right now. Together, they have driven historic investments in clean, green energy that are powering thousands of union jobs across our country.
The administration’s historic investments in working people include:
࢚ $1.2 trillion in American infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and energy infrastructure;
࢚ $7.5 billion in federal investment in public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure with strong workforce standards;
࢚ Project labor agreements on all federal construction projects to create more opportunities for all workers;
࢚ Ensuring that all energy and transportation projects require prevailing wages for construction and repair work to level the playing field for 103 members and contractors.
The Biden-Harris administration has led the nation out of the pandemic’s recession and created 15 million jobs since taking office, union jobs with a living wage, affordable healthcare, and a secure retirement that working people can count on.
President Biden has come to IBEW 103 to speak directly to our members, he has walked the strike line, held powerful corporations to account, and had our back. We’re proud to have his. President Biden and Vice President Harris have fought for workers’ rights and protections and held big corporations accountable. That’s why we are proud to stand with the most prounion administration in our nation’s history.
Massachusetts Senator Edward J. Markey invited Local 103 IBEW Business Manager Lou Antonellis as his official guest to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address, a recognition of his leadership and the union’s leadership in the drive to create well-paying green jobs, secure quality healthcare, and strong benefits for IBEW members and their families.
Under Antonellis’ leadership, Local 103 has become one of the nation’s largest, fastest-growing, and most diverse construction unions, and has been electrifying and energizing the clean energy revolution in Massachusetts.
Local 103 recently invested millions in renovating the JATC to prepare our workforce for wind, solar, electric vehicle (EV), and other clean energy technologies. The IBEW has also led major climate projects, such as constructing a 91,000-square-foot addition to the Harvard Kennedy School in 2017 to improve the building’s energy efficiency. Local 103 has also led the way in building EV infrastructure, including charging stations across the region. Markey also recognized Local 103’s commitment to social and economic justice, clean energy, and the rights of workers: “Antonellis and Local 103 IBEW continue to build a better, brighter future for all workers and their families.”
“If we are going to secure a livable future, we need to have good-paying union jobs and worker justice at the center of our clean energy revolution,” said Senator Markey. “Lou Antonellis and Local 103 IBEW not only talk the talk, but they walk the walk in helping to create a clean energy economy built by and for union workers and families. President Biden and Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act to create union jobs through incentives for using American-made products, paying
prevailing wages, and hiring registered apprentices. Under Lou’s leadership, IBEW 103 is helping make those goals a reality. IBEW 103 is the heart of the labor movement in Massachusetts and around the country, and I am proud to have Lou Antonellis join me at the State of the Union.”
“It was an honor to join Senator Markey at the State of the Union address, especially as the most prounion President in U.S. history, Joe Biden, with the support of leaders like Senator Markey, continues to advance a vision for the future of our nation that includes countless opportunities for great careers in the IBEW and specifically in the green energy sector,” said Antonellis. “It's an honor to represent not just our 10,000 members, but also workers who aspire to become union electricians as our country increasingly goes electric.”
Lou Antonellis and Local 103 IBEW not only talk the talk, but they walk the walk in helping to create a clean energy economy built by and for union workers and families.....IBEW is the heart of the labor movement in Massachusetts and around the country, and I am proud to have Lou Antonellis join me at the State of the Union.
- Senator Edward J. Markey
HUNDREDSATTENDMASSBUILDINGTRADES UNIONS’105TH ANNUALCONVENTION INSPRINGFIELD
Local 103 IBEW was proud to be part of the Massachusetts Building Trades Unions’ 105th Annual Convention at MGM Springfield, where participants discussed ways to create more opportunities for Bay State residents to begin life-changing careers as union tradesmen and women.
The focus of the convention was previewing MBTU’s priorities for this year, which include strengthening wages and benefits in the construction industry, combating wage theft, increasing the use of project labor agreements, providing more career paths for women and people of color, and increasing registered apprentice participation on job sites.
Local 103 representatives took part in multiple presentations at the two-day gathering. Third-year apprentice Suzy Depina-Correia, of Dorchester, was a speaker at the Building a Stronger Movement session, and Ramsey Stevens spoke at the Climate Jobs & Federal Infrastructure panel.
Governor Maura Healey gave the keynote address, in which she praised labor leaders and workers, saying that “fundamentally nothing is possible for our state and our economic growth and development without the involvement, engagement, and support of the building trades. I mean that.”
LOCAL103IBEWANDNECAWOMENIN CONSTRUCTIONDINNER
Construction
with our annual dinner celebration. The event brought together women from all parts of the electrical construction industry for a night of empowerment, sharing experiences, and celebration.
This event has become a staple for a movement that aims to empower, support, and celebrate women in construction, gathering women business owners, apprentices, managers, journeymen, and instructors to talk shop, career paths, life, and enjoy one another’s company.
Local 103 IBEW and NECA Greater Boston honored Women In
Week
Suzy Depina-Correia, 3rd-year apprentice
BILLERICAHONORSLOCAL103 IBEWLEADERSFOR20YEARS OFSUPPORT
Longtime Billerica resident and IBEW 103 business manager Lou Antonellis, and business agent Rich Antonellis, were honored by the select board for IBEW 103's 20-year commitment and support in town, including lighting the Billerica Holiday Festival and providing scholarships for local high school students.
“What an honor,” Lou Antonellis said of the town’s proclamation. “Thank you to the select board for recognizing the hard work of our members, who are dedicated to strengthening the communities in which we live and work.”
The proclamation notes that both brothers were raised in the town and also lauded their father — retired Local 103 member Rich Antonellis Sr. “Billerica has benefitted from this as Local 103 is entering its 20th year as a partner of the Billerica Holiday Festival Committee, adorning our Town Center with lights, flagpoles, and ‘Welcome Home’ Veterans signs.”
Local 103 has a partnership with Shawsheen Valley Technical High School to provide two scholarships per year to the Boston Joint Apprentice Training Center (JATC) Apprenticeship Program. It also provides two additional scholarships to other trade schools throughout the region. The proclamation also cited several additional ways the union has aided the town of Billerica and its residents.
IBEW 103 partners with Habitat for Humanity on the construction of homes, and in the training of students in local trade schools, “preparing them to launch a career in the construction industry through their Building Pathways program.”
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lou Antonellis and Local 103 came to the town to make sure its first responders were fully equipped with lifesaving masks and PPE equipment..
125 IBEW 103 members reside in Billerica. By far the most north of Boston.
“Many of these members have provided Billerica with their labor and service in projects like the Marshall Middle School theater sound system, lighting and intercom system, as well as the field lighting and maintenance for our Little League fields,” the proclamation states. “They have also partnered with the Billerica Fire Department and Council on Aging to equip our seniors with lifesaving smoke detectors.”
As reported in the New England Real Estate Journal on Friday, March 29.
NEWENGLANDJEWISHLABOR COMMITTEEHONORSBUSINESS MANAGERLOUANTONELLIS
A prominent Jewish-led labor group honored IBEW Local 103’s Lou Antonellis at its annual Labor Seder on Sunday, April 7. The union’s business manager and financial secretary was recognized for his dedication “in diversifying the building trades and his pursuit of improving the wages and working conditions of electrical workers in New England.”
"Antonellis exemplifies the new generation of labor leadership in the Boston area,” said Stuart Applebaum, president of the New England Jewish Labor Committee, which is just one part of a national nonprofit organization that brings Jewish community leaders, labor leaders, elected officials, and community activists together to promote social justice.
For the last 90 years, the Committee has encouraged collaboration between the trade union and the Jewish community. This year’s Labor Seder was held at the Temple Israel in Boston.
“My heartfelt thanks to the Committee for this tremendous honor,” said Antonellis. “Our union is deeply committed to building the most inclusive workplaces that we can, where every person has the opportunity to build a family-sustaining career as a highly skilled electrician.”
View the full article in Dorchester Reporter (page 7).
Antonellis exemplifies the new generation of labor leadership in the Boston area,
– Stuart Applebaum, president of the New England Jewish Labor Committee
On Saturday, April 20, our very own journeywoman, Maria Villa, took part in a roundtable discussion focused on the green energy workforce on Telemundo. The Cambio Climático 2024 (Climate Change 2024) roundtable featured local climate experts as well as workers like Maria who are part of the growing green energy workforce. We’re delighted to share that Local 103 IBEW was prominently featured, underscoring our commitment to creating good jobs and lowering harmful greenhouse gas emissions that are driving climate change.
Maria shed light on how our union has expanded the Joint Apprenticeship Training Center in Dorchester in order to increase enrollment and grow a skilled and sustainable workforce to help us achieve our Green Goals.
She also emphasized Local 103 and NECA Greater Boston’s long-standing dedication to reaching our key goals, such as implementing licensed green practices safely and effectively, electrifying homes, modernizing electrical grids, enhancing coastal resilience, and prioritizing social justice with family-sustaining wages and benefits.
With a surge of green energy projects on the horizon, Maria and Local 103 are ready to seize this moment and make a difference in our communities and our state.
We're proud to have Maria Villa representing Local 103 IBEW, sharing our advancements and commitments within the green energy workforce.
Watch the entire special on
Telemundo.
HEADER HEADER
MEMBERSINACTION
M. L. Schmitt, Inc. installs solar panels at Joseph Lee K-8 school.
WELCOME, NEWCONTRACTORS!
Local 103 IBEW warmly welcomes our newest signatory contractors! We are thrilled to welcome to our team more contractors who are committed to the union’s standards of excellence, and we look forward to working together in the future.
◦ Citywide Electric, Inc – Peabody, MA
◦ Emmaty Electrical – Northborough, MA
◦ WC McBride Electrical – Bridgeport, CT
◦ StarTec Communications Inc. – Canton, MA
◦ New England Light & Power – Medford, MA
◦ Ash Communications, Electrical & Security Services (ACSES) – Weare, NH
◦ His Way Electric – Wrentham, MA
Local 103 IBEW members turned out in force for an April rally at Copley Square that drew hundreds of construction workers and community supporters to voice their opposition to worker exploitation in the city. A sea of demonstrators carried signs and shouted chants of solidarity.
The rally showed greedy developers that Boston is a “Union City”, and that workers are united when it comes to standing up for our values.
“It's Boylston Street today. It's Congress Street next week" said Local 103 IBEW Business Manager Financial Secretary Lou Antonellis. "The men and women of IBEW 103 are not going to stand for it! That's why we're going out here today. That's why we're going to remain out here. We're here to fight. We're here to win.”
SPORTSSPRINGCLASSICDELIVERSFUN FROMTHECOURTSTOTHEICE
Local 103’s Sports Spring Classic was held at Warrior Ice Arena and the Auerbach Center on Saturday, March 30, where Local 103 journeymen and apprentices had the opportunity to square off in competitive basketball and hockey games, followed by a free-skate session for members and their families. The journeymen skated to victory as hockey champions and the apprentices slam-dunked their way as basketball champions. Special thanks to Leon Powe, Jr., Celtics ambassador and 2008 Celtics championship team member., for stopping by to enjoy the game with us!
The hockey MVP trophy was awarded to Local 103 journeyman Adam Silverman.
Celtics legend Leon Powe with Local 103 member Allan Mahagan and family.
Apprentice vs Journeyman hockey game.
Family free-skate!
BM Lou Antonellis, Executive Board member Jeff Sheehan, and Celtics legend Leon Powe.
Apprentice vs Journeyman basketball game in action!
The basketball MVP trophy was awarded to Local 103 apprentice Jamal Matthews.
LOCALYOUTHEXPERIENCEUNFORGETTABLE GAMESATTDGARDEN
Local 103 IBEW and NECA Greater Boston teamed up with the Boston Bruins and Celtics to provide dozens of local youth an unforgettable experience during what’s turned out to be a magical season for both teams.
Youth from the Cambridge Community Center, Everett’s Eliot Community Human Services, Quincy's Snug Harbor Elementary School, and Somerville’s Center for Teen Empowerment were each treated to a thrilling night of Celtics action when they got the opportunity to see the home team dominate each game night with features on the jumbotron and Celtics swag.
Youth from Canton’s Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children, South Boston Youth Hockey, and Dorchester Youth Hockey, were equally excited to witness the Bruins and receive a warm welcome which included
team jerseys, features on the jumbotron, and an appearance by Blades the Bruin.
“We are very excited to partner with the Boston Bruins and Celtics, and we are proud to be able to give back to the community with each partnership. Our goal is to put a smile on the kids' faces and give them an experience they won’t soon forget,” said Lou Antonellis, Business Manager of Local 103 IBEW.
“We’re very proud of our partnership with the Boston Bruins and Celtics, and proud to provide this opportunity to children throughout the greater Boston area,” said Kristen Gowin, NECA Greater Boston, Executive Manager. “Together, we’re creating unforgettable moments where we can show more young people teamwork right here in their community.”
Snug Harbor Elementary School students and Business Agent Brad Vinton.
Kids Corner display on the Jumbotron. Eliot Community Human Services youth and Business Agent Renee Dozier.
Jumbotron welcome message to Dorchester Youth Hockey.
Pappas Rebahilitation Hospital for Children attendees received jerseys from the Boston Bruins.
South Boston Youth Hockey and Business Agents Keith Stearns and Jimmy Fleming.
SHOOTTHEIRSHOTONTHEPARQUET
In January, the Celtics welcomed Local 103 apprentices and journeymen to a friendly pickup game on the famed parquet at TD Garden. It was a memorable experience for members to be able to play on the same court that has hosted so many champions. Players used the Celtics locker room and received Celtics practice gear for the day. Celtics legend Cedric Maxwell was also on hand to cheer on our teams during the game, sign autographs, and take pictures.
TRUSTFUNDSUPDATE JATCUPDATE
APPLICANTS UPDATE
Applicants from the 2023-2024 application cycle completed their testing in March. Candidates will be updated on the status of their applications by August/ September. The new first-year apprentices are tentatively scheduled to be processed, attend orientation, and assigned to work in the late summer or early fall.
COLLEGE PARTNERSHIPS
Local 103 and the JATC partnership with Wentworth Institute of Technology has been updated. The articulation agreement provides 103 members the opportunity to gain an associate degree in applied science in Engineering Technology and/or a bachelor’s in project management.
Informational sessions will be held on June 5, 10 and 17 from 5 – 5:45 p.m. More information can be found at the links below.
1. The newly reduced per-credit rate ($595) and the addition of a 3-credit humanities and social science course requirement for the Associates of Engineering Technology (AENT). We will make this course available in the Fall 2025 semester.
2. Applications are open for the Fall 2024 AENT and BSPM programs, direct link is here: CEAdmissions. wit.edu/apply (Deadline to apply is July 1)
3. WIT has launched a brand new website for the partnership: wit.edu/academics/management/ degrees/undergraduate/project-management-online
Please visit our website to learn more about our college agreements. BostonJATC.com/collegepartnerships/
2023 CODE UPDATE CLASSES
Local 103 and the JATC are now offering 2023 online and in-person Code Update 15- and 6-hour classes through our website. For more information about code update please visit our website.
BostonJATC.com/code-update-courses
JATC GRADUATION
The JATC recently held our 77th Annual Apprentice Graduation on Thursday, June 6, 2024. The JATC Trustees, Staff, and Instructors are proud of the 290 Electrical and 29 Telecom graduates. Please join us in congratulating them on their successful completion of our five-year programs and wishing them well in their careers in the union electrical industry.
EVENTS
Mark your calendar for upcoming Local 103 IBEW events!
◦ Thursday, July 13, 2024: Save the date for Local 103's Drive-in Family Movie Night. We'll be watching Daddy Day Care in the union hall parking lot. Rain date for this event is Thursday, July 20.
◦ Saturday, August 10, 2024: Save the date for the 2024 Union Night at Fenway Park. Look out for invitations to the barbecue and game!
◦ Sunday, September 1, 2024: Save the date for Local 103's Labor Day Party. More details to follow.
◦ Saturday, September 13, 2025: Save the date for our 125th anniversary, hosted at the Boston Convention Center. Join us in honoring a legacy of wins for working people, skilled expertise, and unwavering solidarity across 125 years. More details to follow.
As was noted in the previous newsletter, eligibility for the Health Plan is now determined on an in-advance, quarterly basis. Letters went out to all Participants in early May indicating whether they did, or did not, have the 432 hours of credit during the first quarter (January, February, and March) for coverage during the third quarter (July, August, and September).
Effective January 1, 2024, the annual dental maximum under the Health Plan increased to $2,000 per person, per calendar year.
Any time there is a change in your status or that of your family, it is required you let the Trust Funds Office know. Examples include marriage, divorce, birth, death, SSDI awards for a Participant or dependent, eligibility for Medicare, or any other insurance.
The Trust Funds Office continues to get a significant amount of returned mail. Please make sure we have your latest contact information.
If you haven’t updated your beneficiary information in a while, please contact the Trust Funds Office to verify, and possibly update, your beneficiary/beneficiaries.
Please contact the Trust Funds Office at 617-288-5999 or TrustFunds103.com if you have questions about any of these items.
Fred A. Bartoloni, Jr. (Retired) 08/20/22
Daniel F. O’Connor, Jr. (Retired) 11/20/23
Ronald J. Doyle (Retired) 12/02/23
Paul T. Conboy (Retired) 12/08/23
James T. Norton (Retired) 12/15/23
Joseph L. Puccio (Retired) 12/16/23
William J. McCann, Jr. 12/20/23
Raymond R. Valliere (Retired) 12/23/23
William C. Setterlund (Retired) 12/27/23
Tri T. Nguyen 12/28/23
Charles J. Monahan, Jr. (Retired) 12/29/23
Thomas F. Roffey (Retired) 01/02/24
Andrew K. Noecker 01/04/24
Philip L. Dion (Retired) 01/05/24
Lloyd R. Mader (Retired) 01/10/24
Philip F. Gorman, Jr. (Retired) 01/21/24
Dennis E. Fortin (Retired) 02/01/24
John J. Iannelli (Retired) 02/04/24
Everett A. Sawyer (Retired) 02/11/24
Gerald A. Richardson 02/13/24
Dennis G. Heard (Retired) 02/16/24
INMEMORIAM
Thomas J. Sullivan (Retired) 02/28/24
Clement A. Viscarello (Retired) 03/05/24
Thomas W. Rosata, Jr. (Retired) 03/06/24
Thomas E. Richard (Retired) 03/15/24
Raymond G. Talbot (Retired) 03/18/24
Conrad V. Swartz (Retired) 03/23/24
John P. Feeney (Retired) 03/24/24
Kelly L. Green (Retired) 03/24/24
Richard J. Digiantommaso (Retired) 03/26/24
Paul M. Skanes (Retired) 03/30/24
Albert J. Gulubicki (Retired) 04/03/24
Gerald A. Sullivan (Retired) 04/04/24
Paul J. Niland (Retired) 04/05/24
Robert P. Gibson (Retired) 04/06/24
Kimberly J. Adams 04/09/24
Paul M. Nelson (Retired) 05/03/24
Bruno R. Calistro (Retired) 05/09/24
Joseph F. Campbell 05/11/24
Robert J. Koning (Retired) 05/19/24
Robert J. Tilley (Retired) 05/22/24
David E. Fitzgerald (Retired) 05/31/24
Lou Antonellis
Business Manager/Financial Secretary 256 Freeport Street Dorchester, MA 02122
