PIPEFITTERS LOCAL 537
WINTER 2020 NEWSLETTER
CHECK OUT OUR WORK AT
BOSTON SWORD & TUNA
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Contents 03
Business Manager’s Report
04
Our New Leadership
05
2020 Zone Assignments
06
Suffolk Downs Redevelopment
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Contractor Spotlight
08
Project Spotlight: Boston Sword and Tuna
10
Our Community
Local 537 represents over 3,000 members across Massachusetts and is affiliated with the United Association. From medical campuses to area universities, Local 537 is proud to have worked on projects of all shapes and sizes throughout the region for over 100 years. Local 537 continues to provide career opportunities to apprentices and journeypersons in the industry and is determined to ensure the best wages and benefits for Pipefitters, Welders and HVAC - Refrigeration Technicians.
Business Manager Report Brothers and Sisters, We’re starting off this new decade stronger than ever. From our top-notch work on big projects like Boston Children’s Hospital and Boston Sword & Tuna to our successful Red Cross Blood Drive, we’re continuing to lead the industry and give back to our communities. We’re also excited to welcome our new signatory contractor Dynamic Air Corporation to the Local 537 family. I’m looking forward to building on this growth as your new Business Manager, alongside our new President Dan Coady, Assistant Business Manager Paul Campbell, Business Agent At-Large Dan T. O’Brien and our recently-elected Trustees. SUFFOLK DOWNS REDEVELOPMENT We’ve already notched our first great victory this year with the Suffolk Downs Redevelopment. Local 537, along with our union building trade partners, won the region’s largest-ever private sector project labor agreement. It was an honor to help negotiate this agreement, which will create over 14,000 union construction jobs. CONGRESSWOMAN TRAHAN’S VISIT We were proud to welcome Congresswoman Lori Trahan to our headquarters and state-of-the-art facility. As someone who grew up in a union household, Congresswoman Trahan recognizes the benefits of qualified labor. We’re grateful for her support to pass the Protect The Right To Organize (PRO) Act, which will strengthen our power. SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS We know that we’re only as strong as the opportunities we create for our members and our communities. I encourage everyone to check out our applications for high school students and those pursuing college study. Check out page 10 of this newsletter for more information, including requirements and how to apply. Thank you for your dedication to your Local 537 Brothers and Sisters. We look forward to standing with you as we build the best workforce in the industry. If there’s anything the Local or I can do for you, please reach out. In solidarity,
Thomas P. Kerr, Jr. Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer Pipefitters Local 537
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Introducing Our New Leadership Congratulations to Tom Kerr, who was recently elected Local 537’s new Business Manager - Financial Secretary/Treasurer. Tom previously served as our Assistant Business Manager, a position he held since 2010. Before that, he served as Business Agent for the Refrigeration Division and as President of his Local from 1998-2002. We’re proud to have him at the helm. LEFT: Business Manager Kerr with the Lewis Family at the Annual Retirees Party.
Kerr is joined by additional Officers and Trustees who won Special Elections: Assistant Business Manager:
Pension Fund Trustee:
Business Agent At-Large:
Health & Welfare Fund Trustee:
President:
Educational Trust Trustee:
Paul R. Campbell Daniel T. O'Brien Daniel E. Coady
James M. O’Brien Daniel T. O’Brien
James M. O’Brien
Thank you to all of the Brothers and Sisters who took the time to vote in these elections and make your voices heard.
2020 Zone Assignments Business Agents' zone assignments have been updated from the recent elections. Please see below for the updated jurisdictions. For any questions regarding the updated zone assignment and jurisdictions, please contact the Union Hall at 617-787-5370.
ZONE 1
ZONE 2
Assistant Business Manager:
Business Agent-Parent Body:
campbell@pipefitters537.com
jobrien@pipefitters537.com
Assignments: MASSACHUSETTS BAY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (MBTA)
Assignments: BOSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY (BHA)
PAUL R. CAMPBELL
JAMES M. O’BRIEN
ZONE 3 Business Agent-Refrigeration Division:
TIMOTHY T. GILLIGAN
tgilligan@pipefitters537.com Assignments: MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY – HVAC BARGAINING UNIT
ZONE 4 Business Agent at Large:
DANIEL T. O’BRIEN
dobrien@pipefitters537.com Assignments: BOSTON LOGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MWRA DEER ISLAND SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT
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Winning Big at Suffolk Downs Local 537 recently signed the region's largest-ever Project Labor Agreement for the redevelopment of Suffolk Downs, bringing 14,000 new construction jobs to Massachusetts. Business Manager Tom Kerr helped negotiate the historic agreement alongside other building trade leaders, and with the backing of Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo and Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards. The agreement will create 16 million square feet of housing and office space, including the most affordable housing units created by a single project in Boston. PLAs make sure that all workers receive family-supporting wages, top-notch training and safety standards, healthcare benefits and a secure retirement. The developer, HYM Investment Group, is also investing $2 million in programs like Building Pathways and Care That Works, an initiative that provides child care for men and women in the trades.
IMAGES CREDIT: SuffolkDownsRedevelopment.com
We're excited to break ground, and we're thankful for the region's continued investment in the best piping professionals in the world.
Dynamic Air Corporation Brings Dozens of New Jobs to Local 537 We're excited to announce that Dynamic Air Corporation (DAC) has signed on as a signatory contractor, bringing dozens of future jobs to Local 537. Established in 1991, DAC supplies custom HVAC systems across New England, and specializes in servicing healthcare facilities, laboratories, universities and school districts. The announcement marks Dynamic Air's first partnership with union labor. Business Manager Tom Kerr noted that Dynamic Air Corporation President Brad Carpenter toured our headquarters and training center and was impressed by Local 537's commitment to excellence. "Dynamic Air Corporation is a tremendous new partnership for us," says Kerr, who orchestrated the agreement. "We know that going union brings an incredible payoff for our contractor-partners in terms of productivity and their bottom line. We're looking forward to helping Dynamic Air build on their success." President Carpenter shared how the partnership marks a new chapter for Dynamic Air. “We’ve had a great experience and high success rate with projects installed by union contractors,” explains Carpenter. “Solidifying our work with Local 537 is a big step. Their technicians are among the best-trained in the industry, and we’re thrilled to join the team.” Local 537 Organizer Chris Brennan notes that the partnership is a natural fit for Local 537. “Dynamic Air has a terrific track record when they’ve worked with union labor in the past,” said Brennan. “Our values of quality, safety and craftsmanship fit right in line with what they’ve been prioritizing for nearly 30 years.” Local 537 members will start at Dynamic Air with start-up, commissioning and DAC equipment service this Spring.
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A Big Catch: Local 537 at Boston Sword & Tuna Boston Sword & Tuna’s new 50,000-square-foot, state-of-theart facility in the Seaport will be a gamechanger for the seafood industry. The supplier will have customized, powerful heating and cooling systems
to package the seafood that feeds the nation. And they’re counting on Local 537’s expert HVAC-R techs to make it all possible.
The scale and complexity of the project is unprecedented. Each room in the facility is designed to store a different fish — swordfish, tuna, salmon, lobster, scallops and more — and requires a unique cooling temperature to ensure quality and freshness. The project’s unique specifications gives our members a chance to put their free, cutting-edge training to the test. "It's not common to have an entire 50,000 square foot facility refrigerated," explains Project Foreman and Local 537 member Alec Gause. "Local 537's apprenticeship program covers everything we need to know. We came onto this job having all the skills and licenses to work a wide range of equipment."
ABOVE: Peter Fitzgerald RIGHT: Local 537 Foreman Alec Gause, Boston Sword & Tuna CEO Michael Scola, Grinnell CEO Michael Grinnell
ABOVE: Kevin Jusko, Jr. and Kevin Jusko, Sr. LEFT: Customized ice melt pit designed to filter water from manufacturing process
Gause's crew from Grinnell Mechanical has fabricated multiple customized features, including an ice melt pit designed to filter water and special piping to fill the facility's live lobster tanks with fresh sea water from the Boston Harbor. Our strong partnership with Grinnell Mechanical and CEO Michael Grinnell is what makes big projects like this successful. Fourth-generation owner and Boston Sword & Tuna CEO Michael Scola says that Local 537’s work will ensure his company grows for years to come. “Grinnell has done all of our refrigeration over the years,” explains Scola. “The team here has been unbelievable. They’ve been nothing but terrific in helping us get to the finish line. They are very knowledgeable in what they do and professional.” The new facility is expected to be completed this Spring. We’re proud of the hard work our members are doing to make this project a success.
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OUR COM APPLY NOW FOR SCHOLARSHIPS Part of what makes our union so strong is our commitment not just to each other, but to each other’s family. We know that everyone wants their children and grandchildren to have access to a great education, and that's why we're proud to offer thousands of dollars in scholarships every year to Local 537 families. If your child or grandchild is going to college, we want to help them succeed. Check out the full list of opportunities and deadlines below. For scholarship requirements and how to apply, visit Pipefitters537.org or scan the QR code below using your smartphone camera.
O-Neil-Cadigan Memorial Scholarship
Colleen Sullivan Memorial Nursing Vocation Scholarship
Deadline: March 15, 2020
Deadline: May 22, 2020
LU 537 Member Scholarship
Lou Sarno Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: March 30, 2020
New England Mechanical Contracting Industry Improvement Fund 2020-2021 Scholastic Merit Award Deadline: April 10, 2020
Deadline: May 22, 2020
United Association Scholarship Trust Fund Deadline: June 7, 2020
WIN SCHOLARSHIPS. PAY FOR SCHOOL.
MMUNITY ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE
ABOVE: Local 537 Blood Drive Volunteers Bill Kerrigan, Paul Grover, Carol Moruzzi, Jeremy Lydon
Thanks to all of the Local 537 members who turned out for our recent American Red Cross blood drive. The annual event was a huge success. We’re proud to report that because of your generosity, more than 200 patients will get the life-saving transfusions they need. We’re grateful for all you do to help the community. That’s the union way!
LEFT: Johnathan Sims of Framingham, MA
FITTERS ON THE ICE Local 537 has been dominating the ice this season, and now, we’re headed to the playoffs! Catch a game by checking out Local 537’s calendar of events at Pipefitters537.org. ABOVE: Top, from left: Cam Kennedy, Tommy O’Brien, Pat Cummins, Mark Sullivan, Ryan McDonald, Chris Smith, Bryan Longmoore, Jonah Hadley, Colin Ronayne, Matt Murphy, Derek Ryan. Bottom, from left: Brian Walsh, Josh DeGoulis, Patrick Callahan, Shawn Grady, Tommy Cahill.
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Pipefitters Local 537 40 Enterprise Street Dorchester, MA 02125
Photo Credit: Local 537 Journeyperson Paul Caulfield
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