IUOE 877 Fall 2022 Newsletter

Jerry Conner Business Agent

Robert “Mike” Kowalski Business Agent

Business Manager’s Report

Brothers and Sisters, 2022 has been a busy year for Local 877. We’ve made great progress on finalizing contracts and winning work for our members, our supervisory period under the International ended, and we elected a new executive board to lead us into a bright new future. We thank all members for your support during this exciting year. For a full review of the year, check out page 4.

This year, Local 877 has accomplished tremendous work at sites like Bentley University. Over 50 of our members are employed at this top-ranked business school, where they work in building services, trades, and grounds departments. Take a deeper look at the work we’re doing at Bentley University on pages 6-7.

International Union of Operating

As always, I would like to thank everyone for their dedication and support. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your year and have a great holiday season.

On behalf of our entire team, we wish you a safe, happy holiday and a prosperous 2023!

In Solidarity,

Mike Cannistraro Business Manager & President

Year In Review

In December 2021, our union celebrated a historic milestone: the 125th anniversary of the founding of IUOE. In the following months, Local 877 has paid tribute to our rich heritage by building upon the success of those who came before us and working to leave our union even stronger for future generations.

COUNTING OUR SUCCESS IN 2022

♦ 1300+ members strong ♦ 19 contracts were ratified at several locations, and working on negotiations with others

♦ 8 new officers were elected to our executive board to lead our union into a new era, celebrating our full autonomy as a local

♦ 30+ weeks of training courses to strengthen our members’ skills

Thank you to our members and families for keeping us strong! Because of you, IUOE can look forward to another 125 years of solidarity and growth.

Have A Union-Made Holiday

No matter how you celebrate this holiday season, we wish you peace, happiness, and good health as we close the books on 2022 and ring in a new year. You work hard day in and day out, and now is your time to enjoy these special days with your loved ones.

As you look for those perfect holiday gifts, make sure to support your fellow working people by buying union-made products. Gifts that carry a union label are symbols of high quality and respect for workers. You can rest assured your gifts were made by

proud union workers who are treated with dignity and paid fairly for their labor.

Scan the QR code to find a wide range of gift idea, from clothes to games and more, made by your fellow union workers. From Local 877 to all members: Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Check out the AFL-CIO's union-made holiday gift guide.

Member Milestones

John Galczynski

John Cucchi

Paul Drapaniotis

Edward Graves

Thomas Jordan

Andrew McGovern

Rene Reyes

Richard Rogers

25 YEARS

Jose Andrade

Thomas Briggs

Paul Clark

Stephen Hartwell

Michael Hunter

Cynthia Mackenzie

Forrest Marsh

Kenneth O'Connell

Sean O'Neil

YEARS

♦

James Barberian

Marielle Buffong

Michael Cannistraro

♦

Robert Cobuccio

Aaron Dietz

Dennis Ericson

Donald Ford

Wanelger Guzman

Jose Herrera

Larry Jacobs

William McEvoy

William Mullins

Robert Shortell

Robert Toma

Daniel Young

IUOE 877 FALL NEWSLETTER 5

Worksite Spotlight: Bentley University

Top-ranked Bentley University, located in the city of Waltham, Massachusetts, is renowned for its business and accounting program. Its campus, which stretches across 163 acres, is equally esteemed, thanks in part to the hardworking men and women of IUOE Local 877.

Over 50 Local 877 members are employed at the university, working in building services, trades, or grounds departments. The grounds department maintains the lush landscaping and grass across campus and removes snow/ice in the winter, keeping the space safe for more than 5,000 students. Building services work “top to bottom,” ensuring buildings are clean and functional. Specialized positions, including, painters, HVAC, plumbing, locksmiths, electricians, fire techs, and carpenters, work under the trades department.

Bill Hart, an employee for over 11 years, describes the best thing about working at Bentley is the community and remarks, “We are here for the students and faculty, whatever they need. Our response time is minimal. Whether it’s a building problem or a special event, we’re here to support them.”

Aram Stark, who’s worked as an electrician for over 10 years, echoed the sentiment, stating that when there’s a big event, like move-in day or graduation, it’s all hands on deck. “All the departments get together on those special days when the new students or the graduating class need help,” said Aram. “It’s a special day for them, and it’s nice to help them in other ways besides my electrical work.”

We are here for the students and faculty, whatever they need. Our response time is minimal. Whether it’s a building problem or a special event, we’re here to support them.”

SPECIAL ELECTION NOTICE

Pursuant to the Constitution of the International Union of Operating Engineers and IUOE Local 877’s By-Laws, Local 877 members will choose delegates to attend the International Union of Operating Engineers 40th General Convention and to elect General Officers of the International.

Pursuant to Article III, Sections 3 and 5, of the IUOE Constitution, Local 877 is entitled to send 4 Delegates and 1 Alternate Delegate to the General Convention. Per Local 877’s By-Laws, the Business Manager, President, Recording-Corresponding Secretary shall be delegates by virtue of their election to

their offices. Nominations for the remaining 2 delegates and 1 alternate delegate will take place at the membership meeting in January 2023. With the exception of those nominated without opposition, Delegates and Alternate Delegate will be elected by secret ballot at the membership meeting in February 2023.

Only members in good standing at the time of the nomination may be nominated for Delegate or Alternate Delegate. Any member who has not paid his/her dues and assessments within thirty (30) days after they become due will not be considered

to have been in good standing. Since the nomination meetings will be held in January 2023, a candidate must have paid all monies that come due on December 1, 2022 no later than January 1, 2023 (the end of the thirty-day grace period). However, no member whose dues have been withheld by the member’s employer pursuant to a dues check-off provision at the time of nominations will be denied, by virtue of the non-payment of dues, the right to be nominated, to vote in the election, or to nominate or second a candidate.

Additionally, to be eligible, Article XXIV, Subdivision 1, Section (b) of the IUOE Constitution requires a candidate to have been continuously employed at the trade, or actively sought continuous employment at the trade, for the one-year period immediately preceding the month of nominations.

Conduct of Nominations

The Local Union President will preside over the Meeting, nominations which will be conducted from the floor. A nomination must be seconded to be valid.

If, at the conclusion of the nominations conducted, any nominee is unopposed, the Recording Corresponding Secretary will cast one ballot at the February 2023 Membership Meeting by which all unopposed nominees will be duly elected. For those races that are contested, if any, a secret ballot election

shall be held at the February 16, 2023, Membership Meeting.

If a race is contested, the nominees will be advised of their eligibility by January 25, 2023. Any candidate, who has been declared ineligible may submit evidence to the Election Committee to support his/her claim of eligibility no later than 5pm on February 4, 2023. The Election Committee will make a decision as to eligibility within forty-eight (48) hours of reviewing the evidence.

Eligibility to Vote

A member must be in good standing at the time of the election in order to vote. Any member who has not paid his dues and assessments within thirty (30) days after they become due will not be considered to be in good standing. Since the election will be held in February 2023, a member will be considered in good standing if all monies that come due on January 1, 2023, are paid no later than January 31, 2023.

Nominations to be held at Membership Meeting: January 19 @ 6:00 p.m.

VFW Norwood, 193 Dean Street, Norwood MA, 20263

Elections to be held at the February Membership Meeting: February 16 @ 6:00 p.m.

VFW Norwood, 193 Dean Street, Norwood MA, 20263

Local 877 Member Named Chief Engineer of the Year

Congratulations to member Matthew Sargent for being named Chief Engineer of the year!

Matt is the Chief Engineer at the Prudential Center, where he is responsible for the management of an engineering staff of 35 for four highrise, Class A towers. In addition to the mechanical and plant operations of the office towers that house over 100 tenants, he is responsible for supporting the 23 acres of exterior grounds, which includes the public South Garden and the city’s largest parking garage. Overall the entire complex covers 4.5 million square feet.

Matt is a team player, and shows amazing initiative and leadership in all aspects of his job. Although he is mainly responsible for the plant operations, he is always collaborating with all functions of the assets, management, security, cleaning and construction.

Dennis Carrafiello, Account Director at the Prudential Center with C&W Services, states, “With Matt’s guidance and leadership, our engineers are well prepared to keep up with tenant needs and so much more. Matt’s motivation and confidence are unmatched,

and he has instilled this attitude within our Prudential Center team.”

Tracey Nicholson, Senior Property Manager at the Prudential Center with BXP adds, “I enjoy working with Matt. His passion for doing the right thing is unmatched, always helping others and treating the assets as his own. This project is extremely complex, and Matt continues to accept the challenge it brings daily.”

Matt is a 2009 Massachusetts Maritime graduate and was a Merchant Marine for over 9 years. He is also a Navy reservist as a Strategic Sealift Officer, where he oversees the military sealift command ships. Matt deeply cares about his community and is a trustee for the Marlborough Historical Society. There he created an “Honor Roll” for deceased war veterans, sharing photos and memories of their lives as far back as the French and Indian wars.

Congratulations to Matt Sargent, C&W Services, and BXP!

Upcoming Meetings & Trainings

The best way to have a voice in your union is to attend local meetings, where you can engage with fellow members, ask questions of local leadership and stay informed. Whether it’s fighting for a new contract or pro-worker legislation, these meetings are your chance to set the direction for Local 877.

Our meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month. We hope to see you there!

Save the Dates:

Thursday, December 15, 2022

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Thursday, February 16, 2023

Thursday, March 16, 2023

All meetings are held at the VFW Norwood at 193 Dean St, Norwood, MA 02062.

Never forget a meeting by signing up for email and text alerts through the Member Portal.

IUOE Local 877

89 Access Road, Unit 4 Norwood, MA 02062

Upcoming Trainings

Steam 101

Thursday, December 15, 2022

8am-2pm

HVAC 1

January 23 - May 3

Mondays & Wednesdays, 5pm-8pm

HVAC II

January 28 - May 6

Saturdays, 7:30am -1:30pm

Basic Controls & Wiring

January 28 – May 6

Saturdays, 7:30am – 1:30pm

Refrigeration Contractors Course

January 25 – May 9

Wednesdays, 7:30am – 2:30pm

Basic Electricity

January 24 – April 27

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5pm – 8pm

For