103 Today Fall 2022

Y103TODAY

IBEW LOCAL 103’S MISSION:

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 BUSINESS MANAGER’S

Brothers and Sisters, I hope you have all enjoyed a safe, fun, and fulfilling summer with family and friends. It’s been a productive few months filled with new ideas and new projects in motion, with our advocacy for responsible development hitting new strides.

We were so thrilled to recently celebrate the official groundbreaking on the massive Suffolk Downs redevelopment project in East Boston and Revere, where our members will be working for years to come. These types of projects and the responsible developers behind them are transforming our city for the better, and I am appreciative of the many kind words shared during the groundbreaking ceremony about the skills, professionalism, and values that IBEW Local 103 members are known to represent.

In August, the Vice President of the United States visited Boston for a meeting with elected officials, and she chose to hold her meeting right here at IBEW Local 103 — a symbolic gesture that emphasizes and highlights the Biden/Harris administration’s strong commitment to working people and to Labor Unions, especially the IBEW. Vice President Harris and I chatted in my office for several minutes about all the great stuff the Biden/Harris administration is doing for working people, and she pointed to the IBEW’s direct influence in the passage of the worker-friendly construction, energy and manufacturing legislation in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. This administration truly has the backs of working people, so much so that IBEW Local 103 member, Lovette Jacobs, was invited to the White House to stand next to President Biden and Vice President Harris to celebrate the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act on September 13. What an incredible opportunity for Lovette and a historic day for Local 103. Another essential pillar of achieving responsible development throughout our region is affordable

From Lou Antonellis Business Manager / Financial Secretary IBEW Local 103

housing. We were very happy with the success of IBEW Local 103’s first-ever affordable housing roundtable discussion with industry and community leaders, hosted with our partners, NECA Greater Boston and the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust. It was a great opportunity to discuss our affordable housing goals, obstacles and solutions, and Local 103 looks forward to rolling up our sleeves and taking more actionable steps toward a future where all working people can live nearby from where they work.

At the core of responsible development is the ability to uplift our region’s working people and to strengthen the middle class in a way that’s equitable and inclusive, and IBEW Local 103 is proud to be continuing on that momentum in welcoming a new apprentice class of young men and women that will carry the 103 torch forward.

Our elected officials play a big role in the trajectory of development throughout the region, which is why we need to fight so hard for pro-union candidates. IBEW Local 103 has enthusiastically endorsed the candidacies of Maura Healey for Governor and Kim Driscoll for Lieutenant Governor. Both are staunch supporters of the IBEW & Building Trades Unions. They understand our issues, they fight for our issues, and they have a track record for delivering on those issues. It’s been a tremendous year so far for IBEW Local 103, and there is great reason to be excited for the next several months.

Thank you, as always, for your continued friendship, support, and contributions to our Local Union. Let’s get to work!

Fraternally, Louis J. Antonellis Business Manager/Financial Secretary

SUFFOLKDOWNS GROUNDBREAKING

In May, Local 103 was proud to celebrate the official groundbreaking of the Suffolk Downs development, made possible by the largest private sector Project Labor Agreement (PLA) ever signed in our region. Thanks to this historic PLA, the Suffolk Downs project will be completely union-built and create 14,000 jobs across every sector of the building trades. Business Manager Lou Antonellis had the honor of speaking at the historic event.

“It’s a thoughtful project that will build lowand moderate-income housing and link East Boston and Revere,” said Local 103 Business Manager/Financial Secretary Lou Antonellis. “More women, people of color and local residents will get real careers with family-sustaining wages and benefits because of exciting projects like this. Our future members will not only be able to work here for the next 20 years, but they’ll also be able to live here.”

INFLATIONREDUCTIONACT

IBEW Local 103 is thrilled to celebrate the latest win for working families coming out of the most union-friendly administration in U.S. history; on August 16, President Biden signed the $750 billion Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), representing the largest climate investment in American history ($370 billion).

The IRA incentivizes the transition to renewable energy (solar, wind, battery, EV, etc.), which will be executed under union labor standards for prevailing

INVESTINGINBOSTON’S AFFORDABLEHOUSINGFUTURE

Our union’s role in creating affordable housing is vital to Boston and the region. This summer, we’ve taken steps to continue building more units that working families can afford to live in.

In June, we co-sponsored “Investing in Boston’s Affordable Housing Future,” a roundtable discussion with our NECA Greater Boston electrical contractor partners and the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust (HIT). Leaders from labor, development, community, and government came together at the Local 103 union hall in Dorchester to discuss the City’s mission to build more affordable units.

wage, apprenticeship and domestic content, creating thousands of jobs for IBEW members in a field we’re already leading on.

Average American households making less than $400k annually will see no additional taxes under this bill. Instead, the bill poses a 15% minimum corporate tax on large companies, which is expected to raise $222 billion in revenue alone.

“Simply making ends meet is becoming more and more challenging every day for too many Bostonians. I believe we can do better,” said Lou Antonellis, IBEW Local 103 Business Manager/Financial Secretary. “We need responsible development in our city, built with union labor and a diverse workforce, so we can continue creating lifelong, rewarding careers and see our communities truly thrive.”

The IBEW and NECA are among the largest participants in the AFL-CIO’s Housing Investment Trust (HIT), which has invested more than $660 million in 36 projects in Boston over the past 35 years, creating countless union jobs. The HIT’s investments have financed more than 4,200 units across every neighborhood in Boston, 89 percent of which are affordable.

Top to Bottom: Chang Suh, AFL-CIO HIT; Kate Bennett, BHA; Lou Antonellis, IBEW Local 103.

Mentoring program for Blacks with trade skills hails its partnership with IBEW local

July 13, 2022

The Community Mentoring Team (CMT), a program that connects Black Bostonians with mentors and trade skills, celebrated its partnership with Dorchester’s IBEW Local 103’s electrician apprenticeship program during an event on June 30 at the union’s headquarters on Freeport Street.

A group comprising 25 young men and women have completed orientation and training with CMT support, and have been accepted into the IBEW apprenticeship program that will prepare them for union licenses and jobs.

CMT was founded in 2016 by Bill Moran, an educator and community activist who was driven to help close the wide wealth gap between Black and white Bostonians. Along with a group of peers from various professions, Moran began mentoring the group of 25 whose ages ranged from 18 to 40, preparing them for seeking apprenticeships with IBEW.

“This would not exist without mentors,” Moran said at the event. “They are the backbone of this program.”

Participation in CMT is free, and in addition to mentoring and workforce preparation, the program offers wellness classes, financial literacy resources and access to financial assistance for occupational necessities like exam fees and tools needed on the job. With all of these facets, CMT continues to work toward providing economic stability and growth to young Black Bostonians.

Next year, the first group of mentees to enter CMT will complete electrical apprenticeships and earn licensing from IBEW Local 103’s training program, which they started working with in 2018. The anticipation of that moment, along with the recognition of those who have just been accepted to the apprenticeship program, was cause for celebration on Thursday.

Said Robert A. Lewis, one of CMT’s first mentors: “We dreamt about this day.”

FIRST ANNUAL

OPPORTUNITY FAIR

IBEW Local 103 and NECA Greater Boston were thrilled to hold the first-ever Opportunity Job Fair at the Local 103 union hall. It was a great turnout, and we look forward to expanding on the event next year! The fair was our union’s latest effort to continue growing our ranks and creating career pathways into the union electrical industry. With more than 3,000 applicants for this year’s apprentice class, the Opportunity Job Fair was an effective way to keep potential new members who were not accepted into this year’s program engaged and to connect them with contractors, including many hiring for entrylevel positions, such as construction wireman.

“Local 103 is proud to work with our partner companies to create life-changing opportunities for Bostonians every day,” Business Manager Lou Antonellis said. “Local 103 has been providing just these types of opportunities for generations. This job fair is about opening that opportunity to even more people and we’ll continue to find innovative ways to help Bostonians get on a pathway to success.”

“This event was an exciting way for potential new union electrical workers to meet with contractors and to find different pathways into the industry,” said NECA Executive Manager Kristen Gowin. “There's no one path into these careers and we're committed to keeping doors open to great talent. We want to do all we can to make sure those who applied for apprenticeships find work and are able to pursue a fulfilling career in the electrical trades.”

SWEARING-INCEREMONY

Local 103 was very proud to welcome the largest apprentice class in our union’s history into our ranks in a swearing-in ceremony in June. We swore in nearly 450 new electrical apprentices, half of whom are women and people of color, making it not only the largest apprentice class ever but also the most diverse.

This is great news that our diverse recruitment efforts are paying off, and more and more people are recognizing the life-changing opportunities available in the union construction trades!

Several local elected officials attended the ceremony, including State Senator Lydia Edwards and NAACP president Tanisha Sullivan.

“It’s going to be you who builds the next neighborhood of Boston,” Senator Edwards told the new members. “The strongest voice we’ll ever have for workers is unionized and I want to thank you for being a voice for me and for other workers as well.”

1. The 2023 incoming apprentice class is the largest and most diverse in Local 103's history.

2. State Senator Lydia Edwards.

3. JATC Training Director Chris Sherlock.

4. Local 103's newest apprentices fill their seats to be officially sworn in.

5. IBEW Local 103 Business Manager/Financial Secretary Lou Antonellis.

NEWCONTRACTORS!

ALLIANCE HOLDINGS GFD, INC.

Providence, RI

DBA Smart Green Solar, Joseph Bednarik, VP of Installations

D REED ELECTRIC, INC.

Hingham, MA

Daniel Reed, President (Member)

NEWKIRK ELECTRIC ASSOCIATES, INC.

Muskegon, MI

Tom Anton, President

SOLUTIONS ELECTRIC, INC.

North Attleboro, MA

Richard Boffi, President (Member)

STAFF ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.

Menomonee Falls, WI

Jamie Sullivan, President

ENCORECASINOORGANIZING

ROUND 2

Right off the heels of our historic, winning campaign to organize the maintenance workers at Encore Boston Harbor in 2020, IBEW Local 103 is back at the casino, this time to bring the game dealers into the fold. These hard-working employees deserve fair wages, tips transparency, and consistent and equitable scheduling, and Local 103 is ready to help them bargain for it!

Since joining Local 103 in 2020, technical and maintenance workers at the Everett casino have received 10 percent-plus wage increases on average, with some seeing their pay rise more than 20 percent. At Local 103, when we fight, we win!

IBEW Local 103 is welcoming these dealers into our ranks and supporting the organizing efforts with targeted advertisements in close vicinity to the casino, including billboards, MBTA liveboards, bus tail ads and social media ads.

To learn more, visit EncoreUnionNow.com

Left: (L-R) Jim Gallo (Member), Todd Portesi (Member), Rich Boffi (Member) and BM/FS Lou Antonellis.

Right: (L-R) Dan Reed (Member) and BM/FS Lou Antonellis.

BOSTON'SSEAPORTDISTRICT

ST. REGIS RESIDENCES

• Developer: Cronin Development

• General Contractor: John Moriarty & Associates

• Electrical Subcontractor: J & M Brown

• Electrical Project Value: $34.5 million

Built on the site of the former Whiskey Priest and Atlantic Beer Garden, the St. Regis Residences on Seaport Boulevard is the upscale global hotel brand’s first-ever market rate, residence-only property. There’s a mix of one, two and three-plus bedroom condos sized at an average of 1,650 square feet, totaling 114 condos. The 22-story glass and steel waterfront tower is designed by the renowned St. Regis Company of New York.

350 & 400 SUMMER STREET

• Developer: WS Development

• General Contractor: Suffolk Construction

• Electrical Subcontractor: Gaston Electrical

• Electrical Project Value: $57.5 million

400 Summer Street, across the street from the South Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, is a 16-story laboratory building designed by the renowned practice of Morris Adjmi Architects of New York City. The 625,000-square foot building will be home to Foundation Medicine, which will occupy 580,000 square feet of laboratory and office space. The building will

also host 30,000 square feet of neighborhood retail uses. The Project includes the construction of the Summer Steps, an iconic public gathering place located between 350 and 400 Summer Street that will also provide a major new pedestrian connection from Summer Street to Congress Street at the southern gateway of Harbor Way, leading to the edge of Boston Harbor. The project is expected to achieve LEED Gold certification.

VICEPRESIDENTKAMALAHARRIS HOSTSROUNDTABLEATLOCAL103

Vice President Kamala Harris hosted a roundtable discussion at the IBEW Local 103 union hall in August, convening elected leaders and healthcare advocates from across Massachusetts and marking her first visit to Massachusetts in her tenure. The discussion was centered on protecting access to reproductive care and abortion care in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's overturn of Roe vs. Wade.

IBEW Local 103 is thrilled to collaborate with both President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in the fight for working people’s rights. Our very own Local 103 journeyperson Lovette Jacobs was even invited to speak at the White House recently about the historic new Inflation Reduction Act (page 4), representing the powerful influence of the IBEW in Biden’s legislative agenda.

The Inflation Reduction Act is poised to stimulate the growth of good, union jobs in domestic construction and manufacturing while taking the first notable step in recent history to tax the super-wealthy.

IBEW LOCAL 103 ENDORSES MAURAHEALEYFORGOVERNOR&

KIMDRISCOLLFORLT.GOVERNOR

This election season, IBEW Local 103 is proud to endorse Maura Healey for Governor and Kim Driscoll for Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. We look forward to supporting them all the way up to November!

Both Maura and Kim have been great friends to organized labor and Local 103. We believe they are the best candidates to continue fighting for the issues most important to our members: economic development, affordable housing, strong workplace protections, climate justice, diversity and inclusion, public safety, quality public transit and policies that support family-sustaining jobs.

As attorney general, Maura has been a strong advocate for working families and proven that she can take on tough fights and win for the benefit of our communities and for the benefit of workers. She’s fought against wage theft in the construction industry and has held companies that violate labor laws accountable.

Similarly, Kim Driscoll, as mayor of Salem, has an impressive record on workforce and economic development, clean energy, public transit, and housing. Kim has also had great success with urban revitalization,

public transit, housing and clean energy. We believe together, Healey and Driscoll will enact strong, prounion policies that will ensure our members benefit from these growing sectors for years to come.

We are proud to support these two strong female candidates to run our Commonwealth for the next four years. We look forward to mobilizing our members to inform the public as to why Maura and Kim will provide the strong, bold and smart leadership we need to continue growing our economy, reimagining and connecting our communities, and putting working families first.

Top: Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Vice President Harris, IBEW Local 103 BM/FS Lou Antonellis

Middle: BM/FS Lou Antonellis and Business Agent Renee Dozier stand with attendees of Local 103’s healthcare roundtable discussion.

Bottom: IBEW Local 103 member Lovette Jacobs speaks about the new Inflation Reduction Act at the White House.

Left: Maura Healey (right) and IBEW Local 103 BM/FS Lou Antonellis (left).

Right: Kim Driscoll (right) and IBEW Local 103 BM/FS Lou Antonellis (left) .

ANNUALLABORDAY FAMILYOUTING UNIONNIGHTATFENWAYPARK

After so many wins this year for Local 103 and for labor across the state and the nation, we were thrilled as always to celebrate Labor Day together with loved ones at our annual Family Outing at the union hall!

Thank you to all the members, families and friends who joined us for a day of great food, games and solidarity in the movement.

More than 1,000 IBEW Local 103 members and family reunited at Fenway Park on August 27 for another fun-filled Union Night celebration! We enjoyed the Vineyard Vines Deck, the Coca-Cola Deck and the Left Field Deck for a delicious barbeque reception, and watched the Red Sox sweep the Tampa Bay Rays!

As union electricians, we have helped light up Fenway Park for more than a century. We are pleased to continue our historic partnership with the Red Sox, and to once again come together in a ballpark that is such a big part of this city.

APPRENTICE GRADUATION

Congratulations to the 75th JATC Graduating Class. The JATC trustees would like to thank the JATC administration, staff, and instructors for their dedication to the education of this graduating class and wish all the graduates a long, safe, and fulfilling career in Local 103 and in the electrical industry.

Special Achievement awards were presented to four outstanding individuals:

• Agata Matel, IBEW Award

• Sean Civitarese, NECA Telecomm Academic Excellence Award

• Timothy Martino, IBEW Local 103 Academic Achievement Award

• Wendyann Henry, NECA Boston Chapter Academic Achievement Award

New Apprentice Class

The Electrical & Telecommunications classes of 2027 have been selected by the trustees, processed into the program, and attended industry-related orientation courses during the months of June, July and August. Please welcome our new first-year apprentice members to your jobsites and assist the industry in making them part of the future IBEW Local 103 workforce.

2022-2023 Apprentice Classes Commence

The JATC is excited to begin a new year with our apprentices. Classes resumed for most apprentices in early September and we’re happy to report that we’re returning to our format prior to the pandemic. New programs and electronic platforms are in place to assist our apprentices with their studies by utilizing advanced learning management systems and the Canvas classroom management system. These systems provide the apprentice with the most advanced learning system that compliments their inperson academics and shops. This will be the second

year apprentices will be issued pre-configured single login laptops, JATC email addresses, and the complete Microsoft suite of programs.

Continuing Education

The JATC is happy to announce a full catalog of continuing education offerings for 2022, 23’ and 24’ will be published in the fall. Classes will include a variety of in person and online courses such as Advanced Conduit Bending, CPR/First Aid, OSHA10 and 30, Hot Works, Harassment Training, Cisco Learning Academy classes, Systems Technician “D” License courses, and a variety of other industry and safety related courses.

Visit BostonJATC.com/continuing-educationcourses/ for a complete course listing.

Bottom: NECA Telecomm Academic Excellence Award recipient Sean Civitarese (center), IBEW Local 103 BM/FS Lou Antonellis

and NECA Executive Manager Kristen Gowin

The Health Plan Re-Enrollment Forms (yellow forms) were sent out at the beginning of June. We thank those participants who have completed and returned the forms, and a second notice went out in early September to participants who have not yet returned the completed forms. If you haven’t completed and returned the Re-Enrollment Form yet, please do so as soon as possible.

As we move into fall, please check the status of your Deferred Income Loan if you have one. Statements are sent in the mail each month that clearly indicate your status. There are significant tax implications to being delinquent on loans from plans such as ours.

The Trust Funds Office has a limited number of athome COVID tests available. Please stop by to pick one up while supplies last.

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.

Thomas J. Burke (Retired)

Chris P. Thomas

Robert A. Gray

Charles H. Lynch (Retired)

(left)

(right).

Lou Antonellis Business Manager/Financial Secretary 256 Freeport Street Dorchester, MA 02122