IUOE Local 877 Summer Newsletter

Union of Operating Engineers,

NEW BENEFITS

members and retirees now have new benefits at NO COST TO YOU. sponsored with American Income Life Insurance Company, a 100% union for more than 50 years.

Death and Dismemberment Benefit

$2,500 – Member & Retiree

EVERY MEMBER AND RETIREE TO RETURN ENCLOSED CARD TO RECEIVE YOUR CERTIFICATE DESIGNATE YOUR BENEFICIARY. designate your beneficiary, the $2,500 would paid to your estate and may be taxable.

receive a HEALTH SERVICES DISCOUNT CARD for your family discounts of 20 – 60% on:

Prescriptions

• Vision Care/Products

• Chiropractic Care Optional discount dental is available.

Hearing Care

member of OPEIU Local 277, will call on you to witness your beneficiary other no-cost benefits. AIL has other supplemental insurance programs, Union – Buy Union,” available strictly on a voluntary basis. If you have Income Life Insurance Company at 1-800-495-1213 or Vivian Dwyer at

Business Manager’s Report

Brothers and Sisters,

I trust that you and your families have been enjoying the sunshine. As the season winds down, I want to take this opportunity to showcase some of our highlights.

As a union, we continuously strive to uplift and support the education of our members and their families in any way we can. This August, Local 877 brought back its Annual Scholarship Fund Awards after a brief hiatus. Following the application process, the union awarded $9,000 in scholarships to eight wellrounded students. You can find more information about the winners on page 4.

International Union of Operating

LOCALS 147, 147-A, 147-B, 147-C,

We’re equally delighted to showcase Emerson Hospital and acknowledge the dedicated efforts of the nearly 20 members who work tirelessly to maintain the hospital in impeccable condition. Further details about this worksite and the members can be found on pages 6-7.

We also look forward to your participation in our 22nd Annual Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament in September. This event serves as the primary source of funds for 877’s scholarship opportunities. In the meantime, I encourage you to savor the remaining moments of the season with your family and friends. Your ongoing commitment is what truly shapes our union, and for that, we are sincerely grateful.

In Solidarity,

Mike Cannistraro Business Manager & President

Robert “Mike” Kowalski Business Agent

NEW BENEFITS

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Scholarship Winners

We are pleased to announce that all members and retirees now have new benefits These benefits are jointly sponsored with American Income Life Insurance company servicing working families for more than 50 years.

IUOE Local 877 is excited to announce the winners of our 2023 Scholarship. Each year the union awards $9,000 to eight dedicated, well-rounded students.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment

This year, our first place winner, granted $2,000 as a testament to her academic achievements is Aznii Martin, daughter of member Albert Martin. Aznii is a student at Bryant University, studying International Business and Marketing, with a minor in Communication.

$2,500 – Member & Retiree

WE ASK EVERY MEMBER AND RETIREE TO RETURN THE ENCLOSED CARD TO RECEIVE YOUR CERTIFICATE AND DESIGNATE YOUR BENEFICIARY.

If you do not designate your beneficiary, the $2,500 be paid to your estate and may be taxable.

Members’ children also receiving financial awards to put towards their education are Nelida Iglesias, Emily Cobuccio, Shealyn Maloney, Ryan Kelly, Mia Parent, Christopher Hart, and Colby Calnan.

Those who return the card will also receive a HEALTH SERVICES DISCOUNT at no cost that provides household discounts of 20 – 60% on:

• Prescriptions

• Vision Care/Products

Our annual scholarship program is dedicated to supporting and investing in the success of our union families. We are proud to uplift and support the education of all union families through this initiative. This scholarship opportunity is made possible by Local 877’s Annual Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament, where members come together to fundraise by hitting the green.

• Hearing Care

• Chiropractic Care Optional discount dental is available.

An AIL representative, who is a member of OPEIU Local 277, will call on you and deliver your certificate and other no-cost benefits. AIL has other supplemental presented in the spirit of “Be Union – Buy Union,” available strictly on a questions, please call American Income Life Insurance Company at 1-800-495-1213 804-347-4175.

In Solidarity,

D.S. Kemp

Darold S. Kemp Business Manager

Benefits Update

Did you have your 2024 Deductible Waived?

When you, as the policyholder, undergo your annual physical in 2023, your 2024 family deductible will be waived.* Regular visits to the doctor are important for identifying risk factors before they become serious. Please note that you do not have to wait until a year from your last physical; so, call your doctor today!

*The waiver applies to the in-network deductible only.

New Vision Program Reminder

As announced in the 2022 year-end notice, effective January 1, 2023, the Health & Welfare Fund partnered with NVA to administer its vision benefit. By moving to NVA, you

Contacting the Fund Office

Just a reminder, your Benefit Funds are administered through BeneSys. If you have questions about your benefits, please contact the BeneSys team at 781-769-5789. Plan information and contribution details are available online.

will have access to a large network of providers and discounted in-network pricing, making your $300 benefit go further. Additionally, members will no longer have to submit vision claims for reimbursement when utilizing an NVA network provider. Providers will be able to apply your benefits at the point of sale instead of requiring you to pay upfront.

If you have any questions, please contact NVA member services, which are available 24/7, by calling 800-672-7723 or visiting E-NVA.com. If you do not have your NVA card, you can download one by visiting the website and setting up your profile.

If you choose to use a provider that is not in the NVA network, you will need to submit a reimbursement request through NVA. Health Plans will no longer process routine vision claims.

WorkSite Spotlight: Emerson Hospital

Tim Savoie, a dedicated member of IUOE Local 877 and senior HVAC technician at Emerson Hospital, stands in the boiler room, contemplating the vital role he plays in ensuring patients’ safety. This single room services 7 operating rooms, maintaining precise air pressure crucial for surgeries. It not only sustains a sterile surgical environment but also ensures patients’ comfort. As Tim puts it, working for IUOE Local 877 at Emerson is a triple

win: for the union, the hospital, and the patients.

Emerson Hospital, in Concord, Massachusetts, embodies local history and community. Emerson Hospital plays a vital role in the community, serving as a leading healthcare provider in the area and delivering high-quality medical services, including emergency care, specialized treatments, and preventive health initiatives, to ensure

the well-being of the local residents. The 14-member engineering team, part of IUOE Local 877, includes boiler room chiefs, HVAC technicians, plumbers, electricians, and facility maintenance specialists. Assistant steward Wilson Mejia, another 20+ year veteran, cherishes the camaraderie of this wellpaying, secure union job. The union’s positive impact shines through as these employees service the 179-bed facility, taking “service with a smile” seriously.

They don’t just work behind the scenes; they interact with patients and staff daily and are an integral part of the hospital. It’s a responsibility that Local 877 members approach with honor. Tim states, “We are here to serve—no matter the tasks we undertake at the hospital, we take our role in running the facility and ensuring patient satisfaction very seriously. It truly takes a village.”

IUOE Local 877

89 Access Road, Unit 4

Norwood, MA 02062

Upcoming Meetings

An easy way to get involved in the union is through attending monthly meetings. Here you can connect with the membership while learning about upcoming events and exciting news. We hope to see you all there!

Meetings are held at 6:00 pm on the third Thursday of every month. They will take place at VFW Norwood (193 Dean Street, Norwood, MA 02062).

Upcoming Meetings Include:

♦ Thursday, October 19

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Thursday, November 16

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Thursday, December 21

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