Meet Your New ELECTED Officials & Staff Pages 5-9 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 receive a HEALTH SERVICES DISCOUNT CARD for your family discounts of 20 – 60% on: Prescriptions • Vision Care/Products Hearing Care • Chiropractic Care Optional discount dental is available. 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 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. Union of Operating Engineers, LOCALS 147, 147-A, 147-B, 147-C, 147-D, 147-R Jerry Conner Business Agent BRANCH OFFICE 3801 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23234 A.F.L. C.I.O. Robert “Mike” Kowalski Business Agent LOCAL TNOMREV877 • M A I NE • NEWHAMPSHIRE • MASSACHUSETTS • R H O ED I DNALS SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2022
SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2022 LOCAL 877 3 Business Manager’s Report 11 Weingarten Rights Bargaining Update4 Newly Elected Officials5 History of Labor Day10 2 IUOE 877 SUMMER NEWSLETTER
Every September, we celebrate Labor Day and the many victories won by the labor movement. Unions built this country, and every worker has benefited from the activism and solidarity of the labor movement. Our union brothers and sisters fought for—and won—a minimum wage, 8-hour workdays, weekends, and paid time off. Be proud of that legacy, but remember that our work isn’t Throughoutover.the country, more and more workplaces are organizing and forming unions. They are fighting for the rights we have, understanding the importance of collective power and standing together for better workplace benefits and conditions. As your labor union, we’re here and fighting for the 1,400+ members of Local 877. Together, we’ve won victories and secured strong contracts with unprecedented increases. Learn more about our recent bargaining victories on page 4. With these bargaining victories and a newly elected Executive Board, we are poised for even greater success. Congratulations to the team, and I am confident that they will do an amazing job leading the union. You can read more about our newly elected officers on page 5. As always, thank you for everything you do. Our members make IUOE Local 877 the thriving union it is. We have had a tremendous year so far, and with your help, we will finish 2022 stronger than ever.
In BusinessMichaelSolidarity,CannistraroManager& President Business Manager’s Report Officers of Local 877 ♦ Michael Cannistraro, Business Manager & President ♦ Shawn Ballard, Vice President & Recording Corresponding Secretary ♦ Brian Curran, Financial Secretary & Trustee ♦ Jack Mucciarone, Treasurer & Auditor ♦ Albert Lodi, Auditor & Trustee ♦ Christopher Glidden, Conductor & Trustee ♦ William Hart, Auditor ♦ Michael Marino, Guard IUOE 877 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 3
International Union of Operating LOCALS 147, 147-A, 147-B, 147-C, A.F.L. LOCAL TNOMREV877 • M A I NE • NEW Brothers and Sisters,
4 IUOE 877 SUMMER NEWSLETTER
We work hard every day to secure new and better contracts for members. Local 877 members deserve to receive family-sustaining wages and benefits in exchange for the skill and experience they bring to the job site every day. As your union, we will continue to fight for contracts that prioritize your needs.
Cambridge BioMed Realty (University Park)
VeoliaEcomaineWater Brockton WellsMGM JPMorganFargoin Salem, NH.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
One Lincoln Street
We are proud to report that IUOE Local 877 members at the following locations have ratified theirSouthcontracts:Shore Hospital
When we work together, we win together! Our bargaining teams have exciting updates on their fight for contracts that work for you.
Bargaining Update
St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center
Entensiv at Harvard Medical School
We are still in contract negotiations with Moderna Norwood, MetroWest Medical Center, Children’s Hospital, Moakley Courthouse, and the Mullins Center at UMass Amherst. We are also working on a bridge agreement with Shire (Takeda) in Cambridge and looking forward to starting negotiations with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Novartis Pharmaceuticals later this year. We are excited to continue fighting for the best benefits and wages for our members and are confident that 2022 will continue to be a successful year for Local 877.
SHAWN BALLARD Vice President
IUOE 877 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 5
AlthoughCorresponding&SecretaryShawnBallardisnotnew to the Local 877 staff, having served for a year and a half already, he is excited to fulfill his new role as Vice President and Recording Corresponding Secretary. Shawn has worked in labor for his entire career.
“I came up through the steam and power generation field, working at different power plants. My dad was a carpenter and worked at a chemical plant.” Shawn enjoys working with such a diverse group of people at IUOE 877, “All the agents have different backgrounds, whether it be power generation, hospitals, carpentry, colleges, cancer research, whatever. But you’re all connected via the brotherhood and sisterhood that the union Ballardbrings.”ismarried with two kids, ages 5 and 3, and has been living on a boat for four years. He enjoys boating, fishing, swimming, and the outdoors. He also enjoys cooking seafood and Italian food.
MICHAEL CANNISTRARO President & Business Manager Born into a working family, Michael started working for his father’s construction business at age 18. In 2003, he took an IUOE 877 job as the lead carpenter at Bentley University. But after a few years, Michael “didn’t like what was happening at that facility” and decided to fight for change. So he ran for shop steward and won by a single vote. As 877’s new President and Business Manager, he will keep fighting for the best interests of our members. When asked what he wants to tell the membership, Cannistraro says, “my doors are always open. The phone lines are always open. I return all their phone calls, usually on the same day or at the very latest the next day. I try to help everyone I can, the best I can.” His goals for the future are to grow the union in size and bring on an additional business agent. He also wants to see a bigger turnout at meetings and encourages members to bring their union brothers and sisters to monthly meetings. In his free time, he likes to ride his Harley Davidson motorcycle. He also enjoys traveling, cars, gardening, and cooking.
This June, Local 877 elected and confirmed eight new officers to our executive board to lead our union as we enter a new, independent era for Local 877. We are proud to welcome our new officers into their roles. Their office will begin on September 1, and our officers will be officially inducted on September 15.
Newly Elected Officers
BRIAN CURRAN Financial Secretary & Trustee Brian has been with IUOE 877 for over ten years, joining as a maintenance electrician at South Shore Hospital in 2010. He comes from a big union family. His father and two brothers have all been members of Local 103. As Financial Secretary, Curran’s responsibilities are “going over the finances for the Local, helping pay the bills after they’ve been approved through the EBoard’s vote. And the Trustee is just making sure that everything’s done lawfully.” Before he was elected Financial Secretary and Trustee, he came aboard as a business agent last April. One thing he would tell membership? “Know the contract.” He also wants members to know that if “they ever need anything, they can give us a call, and we’ll get back to them and help them out to the best of our ability.”
JACK MUCCIARONE Treasurer & Auditor Jack Mucciarone has been with IUOE 877 for 28 years and currently works as 877’s Training Director. Before joining 877, Mucciarone worked for non-union refrigerator companies. He joined Local 877 when he worked for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and served as a shop steward and refrigeration tech. Mucciarone then got the training and certification needed to become a training instructor for the local and also teaches HVAC for the International. He typically has eight students per class a semester and is currently teaching four classes. When asked if there were any misconceptions about the union he wanted to address, Mucciarone replied, “I think the union offers them utmost training. It’s available to all and people should really take advantage of it.” He notes there is a lot of opportunity as the average age for an HVAC licensed technician is 59 years old. In his free time, Mucciarone enjoys golfing, cruises, and football. He is married with two daughters who are both getting their masters, which makes him “very proud.”
6 IUOE 877 SUMMER NEWSLETTER
CHRISTOPHER GLIDDEN Conductor & Trustee A carpenter since age 15, Christopher came to IUOE 877 a decade ago. “Being in the union definitely has its benefits of protection and togetherness,” he says, “and it brings everybody as one to the table to help represent you. You’re not doing it yourself. You’re doing it with multiple people.” Glidden has always tried to be involved in the union and saw his opportunity to add a younger voice and perspective. Christopher plans to build a stronger union and wants to “make sure that it stays strong and keeps growing.” For those looking to get more involved in the union, he says, “Just ask questions, just speak your voice. Everybody has a voice.” Glidden and his wife have been married for 10 years, and together they have an 8-year-old and 7-year-old twins. He and his family enjoy camping and going to the beach. 877
SUMMER NEWSLETTER 7
ALBERT LODI Auditor & Trustee Albert Lodi has been with Local 877 for 13 years. He is currently Local 877’s Auditor and Trustee and works as foreman of Engineering and Utilities Steam Chilled Water Distribution. Lodi holds 7 state licenses in the trades and learned to be a Refrigeration Technician in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. When asked if he could tell the general membership one thing, he replied, “We’re back, have faith in your union. We’re here to work for you.” He encourages members, especially the younger generation, to get more involved. “Even if you’re just curious,” he says, start by asking questions. Lodi has been married for 27 years and has 2 children. He’s a big New England sports fan and enjoys fishing, hunting, and swimming.
IUOE
MICHAEL MARINO GuardMichael is a foreman operator for Vicinity Energy in Boston and has been a member of IUOE 877 for 33 years. Labor is in his blood, “I come from a construction family. My grandfather had a construction company. My father worked for Michaelhim.”has helped negotiate new contracts for members and took Vicinity Energy from a nonunion shop to a union shop in his first year there. Marino said he believes the union is improving regarding accessibility and communication. He is excited to be part of 877’s leadership team and wants members to know, “We’re back on track, and we’ve got a good group of guys.” Marino and his wife have two children, “Both college graduates, doing fantastic. They just bought their first homes. Very good kids. I can’t ask for anything better.” He’s also an avid gardener and hopes to take his wife to Italy one day.
BILL HART AuditorWilliamHart works as a painter at Bentley University, which is his first union job. As a selfdescribed “rules guy,” he said having a union contract was eye-opening. After reaching out to Mike Cannistraro, he was inspired to get more involved. Hart encourages members to utilize their union membership and recommends starting by learning and knowing their rights. He adds, “You pay your dues so you can have a voice, so have a voice and get involved.” Hart is married and has twins, who will be seniors in high school this upcoming school year. He’s very family oriented and enjoys making meals together as a family. He’s also a big Bruins fan and used to coach his son’s hockey team.
8 IUOE 877 SUMMER NEWSLETTER
While not elected officials, Officer Manager Kimberly Brown and Dues & Membership Administrator Amy Vassalotti are an essential part of the IUOE Local 877 team. Both serve as the first point of contact and are available to assist new and existing members.
KIMBERLY BROWN Office KimberlyManagerhasbeenIUOE 877’s office manager for nine years. She’s the first point of contact when members call and visit. This is her first union job, and her sister worked as 877’s office manager before Kimberlyher.wants members to know that she’s always there to talk to if they ever have any concerns or distress. “One of the things that I say frequently is I have a big heart,” she says. “Call me if there’s something going on. If there’s a hardship, we are very understanding people and want to work with you.” Brown and her husband Mark will be married for ten years this upcoming May. She and her husband reside in Rhode Island with their two children and their chocolate lab, Charlie. In her free time, Brown says she enjoys vacationing with her family.
Administrative Staff IUOE 877 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 9
AMY VASSALOTTI Dues & Membership Administrator Amy started at Local 877, joining in October 2021. When asked about her experience, she says, “I love it, love the people, the job, my colleagues.” Before coming to 877, she worked as a certified medical assistant at a doctor’s office in Walpole for 20 years. Amy helps onboard new hires, initiates benefits, and sometimes chases members down for their information. She encourages members to “stay in touch with their employer as well as the union when they’re enrolling.” Vassalotti enjoys gardening, sewing, crafting, and cooking Italian food in her free time. As someone with many house plants, she says the secret to keeping them healthy is “not over watering and proper nutrition for your plants.”
Although New York was the first state to celebrate in 1882, Oregon became the first state to grant legal status to the holiday in 1887. That same year Massachusetts and other states soon followed, establishing the holiday on the first Monday in September. Though improvements were made with the efforts to stop child labor and cut down workers’ hours from 12 to 8, workers still faced hardships and continued to strike over poor working conditions. Eventually, a concerned Congress, attempting to mend relations with American workers, passed an act making Labor Day a l egal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories. However, it wasn’t until June 28, 1894, that President Grover Cleveland signed the holiday into federal law. Today, Labor Day is still celebrated with parades and other festivities as a reminder of the value of the American worker and the labor movement’s efforts.
10 IUOE 877 SUMMER NEWSLETTER
Some of more than 10,000 textile workers on strike participate in Labor Day parade in downtown Gastonia, N.C. New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection (Library of Congress).
History of Labor Day Unions have truly helped shape the current state of the American workforce and won us many of the benefits we enjoy today, including federal holidays. Labor Day is a celebration of the contributions and achievements of American labor unions to improve the workforce. The labor movement began in the formative years of America. The first recorded strike occurred in 1768 when journeymen tailors protested wage reductions, and the Federal Society of Journeymen Cordwainers in Philadelphia became the first union organization among American workers in 1794. Labor unions that had existed since the late 18th century began to grow more vocal in their demands during the 19th century. Working conditions in 19th century America were bleak, with a 12-hour work day, six to seven days a week with harsh conditions and punishments. Children, some as young as 5, were forced to work the same long hours for a fraction of the pay. Immigrant workers were often faced with even worse working conditions. With lots of hard work from union organizers and solidarity among workers, we gained better working conditions for all. The labor movement progressed further out of the need to protect workers, with organized labor unions fighting for better wages, hours, and safer working conditions. In 1882 Peter J. McGuire, founder of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, suggested a celebration honoring American workers at the Central Labor Union of New York. On September 5, 1882, the first Labor Day celebration commenced, and a parade was held in the streets of New York City. However, McGuire isn’t the only one credited as the founder of Labor Day; historians believe Matthew Maguire, the secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York, may have proposed the holiday in 1882. Though the true founder of Labor Day has yet to be identified, both McGuire and Maguire attended the first Labor Day parade along with 10,000 American workers.
If a union worker is called into a meeting with management and believes that disciplinary action may be levied as a result of the meeting, he or she should invoke their Weingarten rights by reading the following statement to management: “If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or terminated, or affect my personal working conditions, I request my union representative be present at the meeting. Without representation, I choose not to answer any questions.”
As union members, you have a right to have union representation at any interview that could lead to disciplinary action against you. Employees’ right to request their representatives are referred to as Weingarten rights, established by the Supreme Court in 1975. Weingarten rights guarantee employees the right to union representation during an investigatory interview.
Your Right to Union Representation: Weingarten Rights
Please cut out the card below and keep it on you if you need it. If you do not feel comfortable reading the above statement, you can present the card to management.
Your Right to Union Representation
If this discussion could in any way lead to my being disciplined or terminated, or affect my personal working conditions, I request my union representative be present at the meeting. Without representation, I choose not to answer any questions. This is my right under the 1975 U.S. Supreme Court Weingarten decision
IUOE 877 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 11
IUOE Local 877 89 Access Road, Unit 4 Norwood, MA 02062 Member Portal Sign-up Reminder A friendly reminder to sign up for our Member Portal on the Local 877 website. The member portal gives you easy access to all of the union resources and information you need. You can even pay your dues online! TO SIGN UP: 1. Go to IUOELocal877.com 2. Under the “MEMBERS” tab, hit “MEMBERS PORTAL” 3. Fill out your information under “CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT” 4. Submit!
