Local 534 Winter 2022 Newsletter

WINTER 2022

BUILDING NEW ENGLAND FOR OVER 100 YEARS

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BUSINESS MANAGER’S REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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BUSINESS MANAGER’S REPORT

POLITICAL ACTIVITY AND ELECTION RESULTS

TRUST PLASTER. TRUST CONCRETE. TRUST LOCAL 534.

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Brothers and Sisters, As we look ahead at 2022, I want to thank each and every one of you for your commitment to safety and community over the last year. The

MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

effects of the pandemic have continued to pose challenges, but at Local 534, we have made it through stronger, together.

WELCOME NEW APPRENTICES HELMETS TO HARDHATS MOTORCYCLE RUN

We encourage all of our members to get the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot, if you haven’t already. It’s the best way to stop the spread of the virus. Please also be sure to continue following all CDC safety guidance regarding vaccinations, face

COVID-19 RESOURCES

masks, and social distancing. Thank you for your hard work this year keeping one another safe, both

MASSBTC RECOVERY COUNCIL

INTRODUCING THE MODERN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Boston Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 534 represents over 400 skilled and licensed plasterers and cement masons across New England. We’re proud to set the standard for cuttingedge architectural design and durable construction. Thanks to our world-class training, benefits, and commitment to quality construction, we’ve been the trusted choice for plaster, cement masonry, and fireproofing for over 100 years.

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at home and on the job site.

challenging and isolating for many of us, but please know that you are not alone. If you have questions about what resources are available to you, please visit our website at BostonLocal534.com, or don’t hesitate to call the union hall at (617) 825-5200.

Finally, I want to congratulate all of Local 534’s

Thank you for your hard work this year keeping one another safe, both at home and on the job site.”

”

Our union is proud to support our members by offering critical resources related to COVID-19

safety, mental health, and substance abuse and addiction recovery. This pandemic has been

endorsed political candidates who were successful in this year’s elections, and compliment all candidates on a job well done. Plasterers Local 534 supports candidates who will support and foster New England’s building boom, create good union jobs, and fight for a Boston that works for all. We are eager to collaborate with pro-labor elected officials to support working families.

Happy New Year. Let’s make this the best one yet!

Fraternally yours, John Sweeney Business Manager / Financial Secretary-Treasurer

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POLITICAL ACTIVITY AND ELECTION RESULTS Congratulations to all Plasterers Local 534’s

Cambridge

endorsed candidate election winners and to

♦ Sumbul Siddiqui – Mayor

Boston’s new mayor, Michelle Wu!

♦ Alana Mallon – Vice Mayor

Thank you to all who rallied and supported Lydia Edwards leading up to her special election win. We know that Senator Edwards

MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

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♦ Marc McGovern – Council At-Large ♦ Denise Simmons – Council At-Large ♦ Paul Toner – City Council

will continue to support and foster New

Somerville

England’s building boom, create good union

♦ Charlotte Kelly – Council At-Large

jobs, and build a Greater Boston that works

♦ Kristen Strezo – Council At-Large

for all of us.

♦ Matt McLaughlin – Council Ward 1

CHRIS PARKER

ARLINDO COUTO

Boston

♦ J.T. Scott – Council Ward 2

Chris Parker, a concrete finisher and Local 534 member,

Local 534 member Arlindo Couto learned

♦ Ben Ewen-Campen – Council Ward 3

learned about the union when searching through

the ins and outs of working with cement

♦ Ruthzee Louijeune – Council At-Large

♦ Jesse Clingan – Council Ward 4

Craigslist. Since then, he says it has changed his life.

and concrete in his home country of

♦ Erin Murphy – Council At-Large

Revere

♦ Lydia Edwards – Council, District 1

♦ Marc Silvestri – City Council At-Large

♦ Edward Flynn – Council, District 2

♦ Steven Morabito – City Council At-Large

♦ Michael Flaherty – Council At-Large

♦ Kendra Hicks – Council, District 6 ♦ Tania Fernandes Anderson – Council, District 7 ♦ Kenzie Bok – Council, District 8 ♦ Liz Breadon – Council, District 9

Portugal. With knowledge and experience

Chris joined the union in 2018 with previous

already under his belt, Couto moved in

experience in epoxy flooring. He has worked on

2009 from São Miguel to America and met

projects including the TD Garden and its corresponding

Joe Dannolfo, a Local 534 member at the

garage, as well as the Four Seasons Hotel at One Dalton

time, who told him about the union and

Street. Chris says that his favorite thing about his

the opportunities that membership could

job is driving around the city with his brother and

open up for Couto.

pointing out the buildings he’s worked on. “All the high rises, I’ve been on almost all of them. It’s unbelievable. I

In 2018, Couto joined the union and

get the best views in the world.”

completed the apprenticeship program, leading to a full-time concrete finishing

Chris says another highlight of working on projects

position and countless new friends and

is the team effort and collaboration he sees on the

connections in the union. “I came over to

job site. “As much as you’re in your own local and your

this country and I had a friend to push me,”

own trade, when you’re doing concrete like we do,

said Couto. “I love the union. There are

everybody helps out,” says Chris. “There are plenty of

more benefits and a lot of opportunities.

other locals that don’t have that ... but it’s nice to see.

You make good money and we work hard.”

Everyone comes together and helps each other.”

After joining the workforce without a high school diploma, Chris says the union was just what he needed to turn his life around and build a successful career.

“It’s the best thing that happened to me for sure,” said Chris. “The opportunity, the money you make, the benefits that come along with it, it’s like nothing I’ve ever had offered to me before.”

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Everyone comes together and helps each other.

”

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WELCOME NEW APPRENTICES Plasterers Local 534 is proud to welcome our newest class of apprentices who will help us build and beautify the Greater Boston region. We can’t wait to see what lies ahead of you in your new career.

Congratulations!

COVID-19 RESOURCES COVID-19 BENEFITS AND RESOURCES FOR BUILDING TRADES UNION MEMBERS:

Members are entitled to 40 hours of

The Massachusetts Building Trades Council

Temporary Emergency Paid Sick Leave during

recently announced the benefits available to union members for COVID-19 exposures and positive cases. If exposed, we ask you to utilize

TEMPORARY EMERGENCY PAID SICK LEAVE: the PFML/PFL 7-day waiting period and/or short-term leave (from exposures, sickness, or quarantine). Members should apply and submit it to their contractor or employer. This

♦ Christopher Basnett

these benefits in order to keep our worksites and

♦ Thomas Carr

communities safe.

funding should cover the 7-day waiting period

FOR MEMBERS WHO TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19:

Members are also allowed to use their

♦ Alfio Coco ♦ Mark Floriano ♦ Dominic Hogan ♦ Robert O’Connor ♦ Shannon Seratt ♦ Benjamin Stafford

Members infected with COVID-19 should apply for Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML). Under

or a week of quarantine.

Standard Paid Sick Time (40 hours) but are encouraged to use Temporary Emergency Paid Sick Leave first, if possible.

PFML, currently, the maximum weekly benefit members will receive is $1,084.

HELMETS TO HARDHATS MOTORCYCLE RUN Thank you to those who attended MassBTC’s Helmets to Hardhats (H2H) Motorcycle Run in September to raise money in support of the innovative veterans organization! H2H

FOR MEMBERS OUT OF WORK CARING FOR A FAMILY MEMBER WITH COVID-19: Members who will be out of work to care for a family member with COVID-19 should apply for Paid Family Leave (PFL).

is a groundbreaking nonprofit that connects

When you begin your paid family or medical leave,

National Guard, Reserve, and transitioning

there is a waiting period of seven (7) calendar days

active-duty members with family-sustaining

and an unpaid processing period, which can take

careers in the union building trades and

up to a month.

supports them every step of the way. Since 2003, the non-profit has helped over 39,000 military

Members who use PFML/PFL may return to work

service members find quality careers and

by the time they receive their benefit, but they

training in the construction industry. We had

will still ensure that any time off is paid after the

another successful event this year and your

processing period.

generous donations helped raise $15,000 for the H2H program.

Vaccinations protect our community against the effects of COVID-19. Ages five and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, and boosters are available to ages 12 and older per the CDC's updated guidelines.

TO FIND WHERE YOU CAN GET A VACCINE OR A BOOSTER SHOT, VISIT VACCINES.GOV.

TRUST PLASTER. TRUST CONCRETE. TRUST LOCAL 534.

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MASSBTC RECOVERY COUNCIL In September, U.S. Labor Secretary Walsh helped

The Council will bring together a number of

launch the Massachusetts Building Trades

initiatives led by various Massachusetts building

Recovery Council, the latest in ongoing efforts

trades unions in an effort to:

by Massachusetts building trades unions to

♦ Reduce the stigma surrounding addiction

support workers struggling with substance

♦ Promote recovery by connecting workers with counseling, treatment, and peer support, all free of charge

abuse and addiction.

“As a former construction worker and someone in long-term recovery, I am grateful to my

This statewide public education campaign will

partners and friends at the Massachusetts

promote a wide range of resources, including

Building Trades Council for taking their support

peer-to-peer support meetings, counseling, detox,

for recovery to the next level. These new

and treatment.

initiatives will help countless workers get access

INTRODUCING THE MODERN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

SUPPORT THAT DOESN’T END WHEN THE WORKDAY DOES In the wake of a pandemic, Plasterers Local 534 members are more fortunate than ever to have access to the full suite of services available through the Modern Assistance Program (MAP).

If you are experiencing anxiety, anger, depression, addiction, or PTSD, know that you are not alone.

We know that sometimes picking up the phone and asking for help can be the hardest part, but we’re here to help.

to recovery services, reduce the stigma that prevents people from getting help, and advance

With the Modern Assistance Program, you can

our fight to end the epidemic of addiction that

receive a wide variety of support, available 24/7.

impacts every part of our country,” stated Walsh.

The one-on-one care is confidential and accessible

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both in person or through telehealth.

For support, visit ModernAssistance.com or call

These new initiatives will help countless workers get access to recovery services, reduce the stigma that prevents people from getting help, and advance our fight to end the epidemic of addiction that impacts every part of our country.

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(800) 878-2004. Please contact the union hall with any questions.

Services include: ♦ Mental Health Counseling ♦ Substance Abuse Counseling ♦ Alternative Health Care ♦ Workplace Drug Testing ♦ Outpatient Treatment Programs

Trainings include: U.S. Labor Secretary Walsh speaking at 2019 MassBTC Recovery Council Event

For more information, and to seek help, please visit MassBuildingTrades.org/Recovery.

Plasterers Local 534 is here to support our members on the road to recovery each step of the way.

Please be advised that the Modern Assistance Program has relocated its offices to: 300 Congress St, Suite 104, Quincy, MA (Crown Colony).

Walk-in drug testing hours (swab testing ONLY) will be as follows unless there is a holiday: ♦ Monday: 10am-11:30am

♦ Stress Management

♦ Wednesday: 10am-11:30am

♦ Conflict Management

♦ Thursday: 10am-11:30am

♦ Coping with Grief and Loss ♦ Retiree Wellness ♦ Parental Stress ♦ Narcan Training

Please note that all urine tests need to be scheduled in advance at 617-797-8000. For any questions, please call 617-773-5169.

TRUST PLASTER. TRUST CONCRETE. TRUST LOCAL 534.

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11 TRUST PLASTER. TRUST CONCRETE. TRUST LOCAL 534.

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2022 LOCAL 534 MEETING SCHEDULE

Boston Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 534 7 Frederika Street Boston, MA 02124

Executive Board

Regular Union Meeting

February 8, 5:00pm

January 25, 6:00pm

March 8, 5:00pm

March 22, 6:00pm

April 12, 5:00pm

April 26, 6:00pm

May 10, 5:00pm

May 24, 6:00pm*

June 14, 5:00pm

June 28, 6:00pm**

July 12, 5:00pm

September 27, 6:00pm

August 9, 5:00pm

October 25, 6:00pm

September 13, 5:00pm

November 22, 6:00pm

October 11, 5:00pm November 8, 5:00pm December 13, 5:00pm

*Nominations for Fund Trustees

**Election Night (if necessary)