Pipefitters Local 537 Spring/Summer 2020 Newsletter

PIPEFITTERS LOCAL 537 & NEW ENGLAND MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS’ ASSOCIATION

SPRING/SUMMER 2020 NEWSLETTER

RACING TO A CURE AT

PFIZER, INC.

PAGE 8

Contents 03

Business Manager’s Report

04

News

06

COVID-19 Updates & Guidelines

08

Racing To A Cure At Pfizer, Inc.

13

From The Training Center

16

In The 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, I’ve been amazed by the outpouring of generosity and support that Pipefitters Local 537 members continue to show — both to one another and to our frontline workers — during these unprecedented times.

We’ve stepped up, adhered to the medical guidelines laid out by medical experts, and have made donations to our first responders and neighbors. We’re constantly checking in on the wellness of one another during this difficult time. I couldn’t be prouder to be the Business Manager of this great Local, and I know that we will emerge from this, as one Union, stronger than ever.

As we begin to return to an unprecedented new normal, all of us at Local 537 have your back. When returning back to work, it’s vital that you still maintain your same level of vigilance throughout your environment to ensure you and your colleagues are safe. Here’s some direct actions we’ve taken to ensure you and your families will continue to receive care during this time: RETURNING TO WORK: After working in close coordination with our industry partners from the Massachusetts building trades, Boston building trades, and our signatory contractors at the New England Mechanical Contractors Association, we’re continuing to make sure our job sites uphold the highest safety standards. Review page 6 of this issue for important safety updates as we continue to go back to work.

FREE ONLINE DOCTOR’S VISITS: We’re offering free telehealth services through Blue Cross Blue Shield’s WellConnection so you and your family can get the care you need right from home.

ONE-TIME ANNUITY DISTRIBUTION: We’ve announced a one-time annuity distribution available to members who’ve been affected by COVID-19. Apply by July 31, and reach out to the Funds Office for more details.

WAIVED SUSPENSIONS FOR DELINQUENT DUES: Each and every one of you makes our Union stronger, and we’re committed to keeping it that way.

We’re resilient at Local 537. We’ve been around for more than 100 years; we’ve faced two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, and many famines and depressions in between. Together, we’ve always made it through — thanks to our strong industry partnerships and our top-notch workforce.

With those same values of cooperation and communication, we can make it through this pandemic and emerge stronger than ever. That’s who we are at Local 537, and that’s who we’ll always be.

Thank you for all you do. Stay safe and stay healthy.

In Solidarity,

Thomas P. Kerr, Jr.

Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer Pipefitters Local 537

UA Local 537 Spring/Summer Newsletter

3

I I I y d e n n e K e o J na t e

l a c o L

s e s r o d n E 7 53

e S .

S . f or U

SAVE THE DATE Tuesday, September 1

Massachusetts Democratic Primary for U.S. Senate We’re proud to announce our endorsement of Joe Kennedy III for U.S. Senate. Joe’s been a steadfast champion for building trades unions like ours, and will fight for protections for our world-class apprentice programs, industry-leading benefits, and top safety standards.

Read our full endorsement letter on Pipefitters537.org, and find your polling place online at www.Sec.State.MA.US.

NEWS Honoring 50 Years of Service All of you make our Union strong, and our 50-Year members have established a legacy for generations to come.

We appreciate your long-term contribution to the ideals and objectives of the United Association. Your loyalty, counsel, and participation in union affairs sets a high standard of fraternal conduct that serves as an inspiration to all of us.

Donald F. Albertine Patrick P. Arsenault Robert E. Aunchman Thomas R. Bernazzani Patrick J. Buckley Thomas M. Burke W. Paul Cadogan Robert S. DeBoer Thomas F. Downey Edwin R. Egan Peter A. Figueira Edwin R. Fitzpatrick David A. Frost

Thomas P. Gnoza Francis E. Hamilton Kenneth W. Haskell Joseph J. Hunt Charles E. Huntley Alfred J. Jones, Jr. William W. Jordan John P. Kelty, Jr. John E. Liberatore Richard A. Lynch William W. Maciak, Jr. William J. Murphy Thomas B. Newton

John P. Pike Timothy J. Qualter, Jr. Fred F. Ranahan Timothy G. Rice Francesco Rosati Anthony Russo Robert A. Shuffleton Robert D. Siciliano Rodney C. Solomon Joseph J. Stone, Jr. Marshall W. Thompson Richard S. Tomaino William C. Young, Jr.

UA Local 537 Spring/Summer Newsletter

5

COVID 19 UPDATE The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is beginning to re-open its economy, and previous stay-at-home advisories have been revised. Many industries, including ours, have been allowed to return in a limited capacity. Construction sites are resuming work as long as they are not under a local moratorium and adhere to strict safety guidelines. As job sites begin to re-open in larger capacities, it is important you continue to do your part to keep yourself and your colleagues safe.

The safety of you and your families remains our top priority during this transition. While we must return to work, it’s up to all of us to uphold the new health and safety protocols that will be strictly enforced on each job site. These protocols, based on recommendations from the CDC and the United Association, will apply to ALL workers, whether you are continuing work or returning to work.

NEW GUIDELINES TO PROTECT WORKERS: 1. SELF-CERTIFY TO SUPERVISOR All workers must “self-certify” to your supervisor before each shift that:

• • • •

You are not sick.

You are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (i.e., temperature exceeding 100.3 degrees, cough, or difficulty breathing).

You have not been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

You have not been ordered or encouraged to self-quarantine.

2. WEAR ALL PPE We recommend you to wear gloves, masks, and eye protection at all times. COVID-19 has been found to spread through sanitary drains and vent systems. Assume that everything inside a sanitary system or sewer is contagious. Depending on the location of your job site and the nature of your work, your employer may not be required to provide you with any PPE so remember to have your own in case.

If you are working on a job site where social distancing is not possible, your employer must provide you with PPE. If your employer should be providing PPE and is not, contact the Union Hall or the Public Health Department in the city or town you’re working in.

ES & GUIDELINES 3. CLEAN & DISINFECT PPE AND TOOLS PPE, tools, and equipment should all be cleaned and disinfected after each use. Avoid sharing tools if possible. Clean with disinfectants that are effective against viruses. If you don’t have disinfectant, use soap and water or a bleach solution (1 part household bleach, 10 parts water).

1. Clean the product surface with mild soap and water to remove dirt and grease.

2. Dip a clean cloth into the diluted bleach solution.

3. Wring out the cloth so it is not dripping wet.

4. Gently wipe each handle, grasping surface, or outer surfaces with the cloth, using care to ensure liquids do not flow onto tools.

5. Allow the surface to dry naturally.

A properly diluted bleach solution can be made by mixing: 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) bleach per gallon of water - OR 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water **No other cleaning material should be used. The diluted bleach solution should never be mixed with ammonia or any other cleanser. **The cleaner should avoid touching their face with unwashed hands and should immediately wash their hands after this process.

4. MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING All workers must remain at least six (6) feet apart at all times, including on elevators.

5. WASH HANDS FREQUENTLY Job sites will have temporary hand-washing stations installed with hot, running water, in addition to hand sanitizer stations throughout the site.

Workers should wash hands, arms, and face (in that order) with soap and water for at least 20 seconds immediately after removing PPE or after working on a sanitary waste and vent system.

6. LIMIT PHYSICAL CONTACT Handshakes and other physical contact are prohibited.

7. STAY HOME IF SICK Do not report to work if you feel ill. If you start to feel ill, inform your supervisor immediately. If a worker is asked to leave a job site, they may not return until cleared by a medical professional.

COVID-19 symptoms do vary, but often include:

• • • • •

Cough Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Fever

• • •

Sore throat New loss of taste or smell Diarrhea or abdominal distress

Chills Muscle pain

If you exhibit any one of these symptoms, do not report to work.

QUESTIONS? Reach out to the Union Hall at (617) 787-5370 and review the UA Worker Guidelines on our COVID-19 Resource Center at Pipefitters537.org.

UA Local 537 Spring/Summer Newsletter

7

RACING

TO A CURE: LOCAL 537 AT PFIZER, INC. When you think of cutting-edge pharmaceutical research, Pfizer, Inc. likely comes to mind.

The industry leader has become synonymous with scientific advancement and cutting-edge medical research.

At the Pfizer campus in Andover, Mass., Local 537 members at T.G. Gallagher and Kinetic Systems Inc. (KSI) are helping the company fight a deadly disease: Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

According to Pfizer, “DMD is a devastating and life-threatening disease. Patients present with muscle degeneration that progressively worsens with age to the extent that they require wheelchair assistance when they are

in their early teens, and unfortunately, usually succumb to their disease by the time they are in their late twenties.” “[W]e believe we may have a potential breakthrough therapy for boys with DMD,” said Seng Cheng, Chief Scientific Officer for Pfizer’s Rare Disease Research Unit.

“To ensure sufficient supply to DMD patients in our future studies, and to support FDA filing requirements, Pfizer initiated an investment to retrofit our Andover, MA facility to enable manufacturing of high quality plasmids for the program,” according to the company. Pipefitters and HVAC-R technicians are working quickly to complete this facility.

By The Numbers

60+ Number of Local 537 members actively working at Pfizer

Mechanical Coordinator/CAD Operator Maureen Sarno-Edwards

20,000 Number of children diagnosed with DMD annually

Above: Local 537 journeyperson installing high-purity piping

0.2-0.3

Right: Pfizer Manager of Engineering David MacKay, T.G. Gallagher Site Superintendent Mike Stuart, Local 537 Business Agent Daniel T. O’Brien

The scale and complexity of the project is impressive.

The facility will house 18,000 linear feet of piping, which keeps the atmosphere as pure and clean as possible.

The specialized system includes an E.coli fermenter and separator designed to break down, filter, and purify DNA into starting material for a clinical stage potential DMD gene therapy. All of the systems are designed to be fully automated for water, fluid, compressed air, glycol, and genetic materials to safely flow and be distributed 24/7.

High-purity piping installation is key for the project’s success. Salty, slurry mixtures are an essential step in the DNA fermentation process. Any piping must be highly resistant to any kind of rust or corrosion. KSI Site Superintendent and Local 537 member Jorge Ruiz-Rosado noted the expertise required to work with expensive, high-purity piping, especially on a fast track.

Greatest temperature range in degrees most Pfizer HVAC-R work can waver

18,000 Linear feet of piping throughout facility

2021

Year Duchenne muscular dystrophy trials are set to begin

UA Local 537 Spring/Summer Newsletter

9

The 2nd shift team from KSI’s on site pre-fab shop.

“We call it jewelry making. It’s a trade within a trade,” Ruiz-Rosado said. “Local 537 has a specialized training program that certifies members in high-purity installation, and it pays off for us. The skill is in high demand and we’re very capable of it doing it.”

For T.G. Gallagher, the DMD facility marks the latest project in a longstanding partnership with Pfizer. T.G. Gallagher members have

Members with KSI specializing in high-purity piping fabrication and installation.

worked on the campus for years, building lab spaces for hemophiliac drugs and bone marrow treatment. The on-site team is heading up HVAC-R, black pipe, and utility lines for the DMD facility.

Pre-fabrication work is necessary for both the one-of-a-kind piping and its quick installation.

Every pipe, valve, and instrument is unique, and nothing is interchangeable. Kinetic Systems’ on-site pre-fab shop can receive and fabricate custom shipments, making sure every piece is tagged, bagged, and safely transported to its location. T.G. Gallagher’s pre-fab shop is less than a quarter-mile down the road, so rapid coordination can happen in a matter of minutes.

This kind of coordination helped the project move forward without a hitch despite COVID-19, notes T.G. Gallagher Site Superintendent Mike Stuart.

“With so many tight, confined spaces, the prefabs are key,” Stuart says. “It’s a whole team approach from T.G. Gallagher, all the way down to the craft we have working for us.”

The project also has a special connection to Local 537. Pfizer’s Manager of Engineering David MacKay is helming the project’s engineering team. He’s the son of former Local 537 Business Agent Tom MacKay and older brother of Funds Administrator Marybeth Porter. MacKay shared how Local 537’s workforce is critical to accomplish the facility efficiently and error-free.

“Bio-process systems require very clean piping to ensure a clean product in the end,” explains MacKay. “In order to ensure the success of the project, there was a desire to bring in highly-skilled tradesmen, such as those from Pipefitters Union 537, to ensure what we’re putting in is done right the first time.”

T.G. Gallagher members specializing in HVAC-R , black pipe, and utility lines at the DMD facility.

The facility is set to come on line by the end of 2020. Terrific job to the whole team working to support critical care for children in need.

Sources: • • •

https://www.pfizer.com/science/coronavirus/vaccine https://www.mda.org/sites/default/files/2019/03/Duchenne_Muscular_ Dystrophy_Fact_Sheet.pdf https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/ pfizers-new-phase-1b-results-gene-therapy-ambulatory-boys

UA Local 537 Spring/Summer Newsletter

11

EMCOR Service Technicians John Grasa, Nick Makrys, Dennis Hurley, Brett Bergeron

MEET THE ON-CALL HVAC-R TEAM A team of top HVAC-R technicians from EMCOR have been stationed at Pfizer, Inc. for years, manning comfort cooling and process cooling, along with small pipefitting build-outs on campus.

continuously monitored with temperature and humidity recorders. The highly-trained EMCOR team works around the clock to ensure all mechanical falls within designated temperature ranges - no matter what.

Sales Engineer Jimmy Moser leads the team, obtaining, securing, and managing all jobs.

Foreman Mike Hardy is responsible for the team’s day-to-day work. Together, Jimmy and Mike’s work have created great opportunities for Local 537 members. Their current turf includes countless environmental rooms, air handlers, pumps, boilers, and rooftop units for new experiments and medications, including a vaccine to fight COVID-19.

EMCOR Service Technician Nick Makrys underscored the team’s commitment to specialized training. Many EMCOR members take years of night courses to achieve full certifications to work on the kinds of high-tech, complex systems like those at Pfizer, Inc.

Pharmaceuticals must be properly stored before distribution, so climate control comes down to the smallest of measurements: tenths of a degree. All systems are

“We’ve been trained by the right people, and they’ve passed along that knowledge to us,” Makrys shares. “The work being done here is incredible and these scientists are brilliant.

We’re happy to play a small part in bringing them closer to cures every day.”

FROM THE TRAINING CENTER:

Online Learning During COVID-19 We’re in unprecedented times, but at Local 537, we’re always ready to meet new challenges head on.

When our Training Center was forced to close due to COVID-19, we were well-prepared to take our curriculum online. Prior to COVID-19, Training Director Paul McGrath, along with our classroom instructors, had been trained to teach online using programs such as Blackboard, Exam View, and Zoom virtual classrooms. Our instructors have been able to socially distance and continue teaching from the Training Center.

Thanks to this readiness, Local 537 training courses have moved along without a beat. Our evening apprentices successfully completed their academic semester. Our daytime apprentices are

finishing their online classroom instruction until they can safely return to the Training Center for hands-on skills training. Most importantly, all apprentices are on pace to complete their five-year training program on time and have fulfilled their classroom hours as part of their Apprentice Agreements with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

We’re proud of our ability to adapt in these tough times, and uphold our commitment to industry-leading training, no matter what.

Congratulations to our 5th Year Graduates, and thank you to all our Training Center staff and apprentices for their commitment and cooperation.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR EPRI RIGGING CLASS Training is a continued investment in you and your skills. We're committed to doing everything we can to stay on the cutting edge of the industry, including continuing education.

And a global pandemic isn't going to stop us.

L to R: Jonathan Crandall, Christopher Smith, Bill Caulfield, Local 537 Rigging Instructor Steven Parsons, Pete Aylward, Cory Collins, Neal Barhight

Congratulations to all those who completed the 30-hour Electrical Power Research Institute (EPRI) Industrial Rigging Certification. We're proud that you're a part of Local 537.

UA Local 537 Spring/Summer Newsletter

13

CONGRATULATIONS TO OU We are proud to announce our 5th Year Graduates! Accomplishing our extensive, five-year apprenticeship training program is no easy feat. Between on-the-job training and classroom instruction, you now have the skills to join 3,000+ of the most elite pipefitters and HVAC-R technicians in the industry.

Congratulations on all your achievements. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you.

In special remembrance of Daniel Ayer, Class of 2020, who passed away this school year.

Christopher Abraham, Salem, NH Shaun Almond, New Bedford, MA Etson Alves, Boston, MA Danny Andrade, Boston, MA* Nathaniel Awan, Dorchester, MA Ryan Ayer, Mansfield, MA Daniel Bazzari, Wellesley, MA Raymond Beaudry, Thompson, CT Brett Bergeron, Ipswich, MA Eric Bonome, Abington, MA* Christian Boyde, Quincy, MA Christopher Brash, Cohasset, MA Bernard Burns, Whitman, MA James Cahill, Randolph, MA Christian Callahan, Dorchester, MA Scott Campbell, Woburn, MA Sylvan Cedeno, Dorchester, MA Christopher Chenette, Quincy, MA Kevin Clough, Stoneham, MA* Roberto Cordeiro, Malden, MA Jeremy Cox, Nashua, NH Daniel Cummings, Hudson, NH* Perfect Attendance * Denotes Throughout the Program

Matthew DeMaio, Tewksbury, MA* Dylan Dicecca, Billerica, MA Ryan Doherty, Townsend, MA Michael Dolan, Hingham, MA* Anthony Donofrio, West Bridgewater, MA Kelsey Farraher, Tewksbury, MA Patrick Feeney, Brighton, MA Jonathan Finnell, Foxboro, MA Zachary Forest, Weymouth, MA Pete Gasse, Cumberland, RI Russell Glastetter-Souza, Nashua, NH Anthony Glynn, Hyde Park, MA Thomas Goggins, Tewksbury, MA Dana Goodwin, Buzzards Bay, MA Richard Gosson, Taunton, MA John Granata, Stoneham, MA* Nicholas Grougan, Gloucester, MA Joseph Haddock, Medford, MA* Zachery Hammerman, Winthrop, MA Dustin Heath, East Bridgewater, MA Matthew Henry, Norwood, MA* Bryan Hodge, Eliot, ME

Denotes Veteran Status

Denotes Class Officer Status

UR 5TH YEAR GRADUATES! John Johndrow, Hanson, MA William Joseph, Weymouth, MA* James Joyce, Pelham, NH William Kaufman, Ashland, MA Collin Kelleher, Brockton, MA Christian Keskinidis, Tewksbury, MA Michael Leahy, Hanson, MA Jared LeVasseur, Haverhill, MA Derren Levesque, Assonet, MA Nathan Logan, Leominster, MA* Daniel Lundstrom, Mason, NH Paul Lyons, Plainville, MA Robert MacKay, Bridgewater, MA Jacob MacShane, Dracut, MA Jason Mahoney, Billerica, MA Patrick Malone, Quincy, MA Andrew Mandeville, Foxboro, MA* Nicholas Marves, Foxborough, MA Ryan McDonald, Wilmington, MA* Eric McNeil, Marshfield, MA Christopher Miglierina, Lynn, MA Seth Mitchell, Rowley, MA Tyler Mitchell, Wakefield, MA Ryan Mulvey, Plymouth, MA James Murray, East Falmouth, MA Hayward Myers, Dorchester, MA* Joseph Myles, Georgetown, MA Sean Nicholls, Plymouth, MA Sean O’Connor, Braintree, MA John O’Leary, West Roxbury, MA Taylor O’Melia, Pembroke, MA Matthew O’Toole, Milford, MA Jonathan Palmer, Quincy, MA

David Parnaby, Weymouth, MA* Justin Pelletier, Dunstable, MA Dylan Perez, Watertown, MA Demetrius Pierre-Mike, Mattapan, MA Carl Plaisimond, Malden, MA Tyler Powers, Randolph, MA Larelle Pratt, Mattapan, MA Tyrell Pugh, South Boston, MA* William Reid, Weymouth, MA* Matthew Ricketson, Weymouth, MA Daniel Rizzotto, Winthrop, MA Tina Robitaille, Plymouth, MA Brendan Ronayne, Billerica, MA* Paul Roy, Dover, NH William Russell, Bellingham, MA Ezra Smith, Dorchester, MA* Michael Sousa, East Bridgewater, MA James Suttie, Winthrop, MA Nicholas Svizzero, Weymouth, MA Dominic Taverna, Bridgewater, MA John Thibodeau, Walpole, MA Jon Thomas, East Boston, MA* Joseph Thomas, Halifax, MA* Michael Tortomasi, Quincy, MA* William Tracy, Tewksbury, MA Clifford Tyler, Dorchester, MA* Kyle Veazie, Halifax, MA Jack Weeks, Norwood, MA Justin Whooley, Stoneham, MA Eric Woelfel, East Weymouth, MA Jacob Wright, Westboro, MA Christopher Young, Brockton, MA Zachary Ziolkowski, Melrose, MA UA Local 537 Spring/Summer Newsletter

15

IN THE COMMUNITY

#537Strong: Supporting Little Brother Jacob The word brotherhood is carved into the wall of our Union Hall lobby. That’s intentional; it’s one of our founding principles at Local 537, and it’s something that we strive to practice every day.

In a global pandemic, our brotherhood is only getting stronger.

When Jarrod Martin’s son Jacob was diagnosed with leukemia in March, Local 537 members sprang into action. Members posted on Facebook, asking our Brothers and Sisters to send notes of encouragement to Jacob as he started his chemotherapy treatments at Tufts Medical Center.

Word quickly spread. From coast to coast, UA members and their children began sending dozens of letters to Jacob and his sister Devin.

Jacob with one day’s worth of letters and packages.

And the mail hasn’t stopped. Jarrod has already filled a 30-page scrapbook with the personal notes and stickers, and more is coming in. Jacob has also received t-shirts, hats, pens, and tattoos. Mail and gifts have come from UA members in nearly every U.S. state, including Alaska and Hawaii.

The outpouring of support, Jarrod says, is overwhelming.

Jacob receiving treatment at Tufts Medical Center.

Jarrod and Jacob Martin at Tufts Medical Center.

“In these uncertain times, it’s heartwarming to know people can still be genuinely supportive,” he wrote on Facebook. “We’ve received so many gifts from people I’ve never met. Thank you from my son and my family.”

Martin plans on making a map with strings directing back to the family’s hometown of Wilmington, Mass. to show Jacob where his new Brothers and Sisters all live.

One of the 30+ pages of notes and stickers Jacob has received.

STAY STRONG, JACOB! All of us at Local 537 are cheering you on.

UA Local 537 Spring/Summer Newsletter

17

IN THE COMMUNITY

Helping the Frontlines Fight COVID-19

We’re proudly standing with medical workers on the front lines of this pandemic.

Business Manager Tom Kerr dropped off donations of American Refrigeration Company’s extra gloves, goggles, and masks to Manet Community Health Center in Quincy, MA to help frontline healthcare workers fighting COVID-19. Our work made the front page of The Quincy Sun! That’s the union way.

If you or your company has new, unopened equipment to donate, please visit BostonPPEDonation.org.

Retirees Meeting We’re looking forward to hosting our monthly Retirees Meetings again sometime soon!

Steve Ciardi and Jim Hansen

Brian Cuddy and Jack Lydon

Business Agent Dan O’Brien, Pat Stempleski, Treasurer Robert Fidler, President Dave Saviano

When it’s safe to do so, retirees will meet the 1st Wednesday after the 1st Thursday of the month at 10:30 AM.

Photos were taken prior to Commonwealth of Massachusetts social distancing guidelines

UA Local 537 Spring/Summer Newsletter

19

Pipefitters Local 537 40 Enterprise Street Dorchester, MA 02125

WANT TO STAY UPDATED ON LOCAL 537?

JOIN OUR MOBILE NEWS NETWORK! Text L537 to 77222 for the latest updates from Pipefitters Local 537. Msg & data rates may apply.