Pipefitters Local 537 Holiday 2022 Newsletter

Brothers and Sisters,

I hope you’ve been having a safe, fun, and prosperous new year. 2022 was a wonderful year for our great union, and I hope that everyone takes time to reflect on the progress we've made. Together, we've built a strong and supportive union community, we've undertaken both small- and large-scale projects across Massachusetts, and we've done our part to ensure our voices are heard this past election cycle. With these achievements under our belt, I hope you all are as excited as I am about the new year ahead of us.

Led by a strong union turnout, Massachusetts voters made history at the ballot box in the Nov. 8 general election, breaking glass ceilings, and winning on important labor-related initiatives. Governor-elect Maura Healey’s landslide election means that for the first time, the Commonwealth will have a woman serving as the governor. She was among a raft of union-friendly candidates elected statewide. Healey led an almost entirely female slate of Democrats that swept the state’s constitutional offices. Roxbury native Andrea Campbell won the race for attorney general, while Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll won the race for lieutenant governor, and former state senator Diana DiZoglio will be the next state auditor of Massachusetts. Before this election, no state had elected women lieutenant governor and governor at the same time. I wish to thank all our members who cast their votes, volunteered, and canvassed in the weeks leading up to the election.

This fall, several members attended the inaugural Women Build Boston Conference at Encore Boston Harbor. With over 700 people in attendance, this event was a great opportunity to recognize the many women who have helped to construct our communities. Local 537 was also pleased to support the recent Building Pathways anniversary gala. Building Pathways is

committed to connecting Massachusetts residents, especially women and people of color, with quality union careers.

We have many major ongoing projects within the territory of Pipefitters Local 537. We are also poised to see significant opportunities flow into the state from the energy and climate provisions of the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which appropriates approximately $11.7 billion in spending – the single largest investment in climate and energy in American history.

Thank you for all your hard work and commitment to being active participants in our democracy. Now, we must continue the fight to protect workers' rights and strengthen organized labor in Massachusetts. Lastly, we are in a very dangerous industry both physically and mentally, we need to look out for each other on and off the job. If a brother or sister needs help, please make sure they get it. I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming holiday events, including our annual blood drive on Saturday, January 7!

In solidarity,

Daniel

T. O'Brien

Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer

Pipefitters Local 537

MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS

Share your story with Local 537 by sending us your favorite memory, a job site project you're proud of, and actionfilled photos to be featured in Local 537's next newsletter! We're looking to uplift members' experiences, stories, and accomplishments. We encourage all to participate and welcome throwback photos too! 1. Shannon Butler and Tom Yukyu at the Commonwealth Pier

Amanda McHugh at the Hamel and McAlister fabrication shop

Amy Irving, Jane Walsh, Vicki Cataldo at Pfizer Pharmaceutical

Ismaila Suberu at the MIT Cogeneration plant

Mike Hagan and Jess Hagan at the BU Data Science building

Eddie Francis and Etson Alves at the JC Higgins Volpe job site

Pete Gasse, Christine Coughlin, Mike Reed, Bobby Crehan, Eric Bergeron, Shawn Dougan, and LaFayette Holloman at the Cannistraro One Congress project

Please send your story and photos to: Pipefitters537@617mediagroup.com. Please submit your name, the names of anyone featured in the photos, the contractor's name, and the job site.

PRESIDENT BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS VISIT MASSACHUSETTS

From President Biden's visit to support union workers phone banking for Raphael Warnock to Vice President Kamala Harris’ stirring remarks at the annual Greater Boston Labor Council breakfast and more, the Biden Administration has shown itself to be one of the most 'prounion’ presidencies we’ve ever seen, and a champion for workers.

Recently, President Biden visited union workers at IBEW Local 103 as we made phone calls to help to re-elect U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock. In addition to President Biden, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, as well as building trades workers from across the region, joined the event in a show of solidarity. Powerful support from elected leaders and workers helped Senator Warnock win the runoff election and valuable leverage for Democrats.

In September, Vice President Harris delivered the keynote address at the Greater Boston Labor Council's annual Labor Day breakfast, held at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. Harris noted that she and President Biden are committed to strengthening workers' rights across the country. “When union

When union wages go up, e er o s a es o p

-Kamala Harris

wages go up, everybody's wages go up,” said Harris, who chairs the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment.

That same month, President Biden visited Boston Logan International Airport to deliver remarks on the landmark bipartisan legislation to repair the nation’s infrastructure and highlight the $62 million investment by the FAA as part of the new Airport Terminal Program. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will provide more than $1 trillion in spending on roads, bridges, public transportation, broadband internet, clean water, and other infrastructure projects across the nation. It is expected to deliver $9 billion in funds to Massachusetts in the next five years.

“Logan is more than an airport, it’s an economic engine. It was first built 100 years ago, it’s critical to our economy and to your economy, but it needs a significant upgrade to accommodate the passengers flying in and out from all over the world,” President Biden told a crowd of union workers.

CONGRATULATIONS TO AMVETS NATIONAL COMMANDER DONALD

We wish to offer our warmest congratulations to Donald “Don” McLean on his election as AMVETS National Commander in 2022.

Don’s selection to the highest office of this non-partisan organization, which was formed by WWII veterans to advocate for the nation’s veterans and other important causes, is a testament to his leadership and his dedication to our country.

Don joined the Coast Guard Reserve in 1969 in Boston. After bootcamp and a tour of duty on a Coast Guard cutter, he was assigned to the Brockton Reserve Training Center, where he served aboard various boat stations. As a commander, Don served onboard four different cutters. He served in the reserves for more than 32 years.

Don, a master pipefitter, joined Local 537 after his first active-duty tour. He retired in 2015.

STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS APPRENTICE CONTEST

In 2022, we hosted the Massachusetts 2022 Apprentice Contest in our training facility for pipefitting, welding, and HVAC refrigeration – and we're proud of our members who placed first!

Local 537 members Bryan Longmoore (Pipefitting), Patrick Wilson (Refrigeration/ HVAC) and Shawn Hunter (Welding), all moved on to compete against skilled apprentices from nine other states in the east coast regional UA District 1 Apprentice Competition in Connecticut. Congrats Bryan, Patrick, and Shawn!

We'd also like to thank our training coordinator, Paul McGrath, and our judges for overseeing this contest and providing essential guidance to our apprentices:

• Welding:

• Pipefitting: Neil Barhight, Dan Mulligan

• Refrigeration/HVAC:

• Rigging: Steve

•

Paul Katapodis, Peter Aylward

Aldo Cassina, Andrew Varley

Parsons

Blackboard Online Testing: Bill Kerrigan

Photo credits: The AMVETS National Headquarters

GIVING BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY

e t or o r cale ar

loo ri e at r a a ar 7 a p

On Saturday, January 7, we hope to see you at our Local 537 Annual Blood Drive from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Local 537 Union Hall. Did you know that one in every three people will need blood at some point in their life? Eligible adults are able to donate up to six times per year, and these contributions are vital for our friends, family, and neighbors in need. We encourage those who are able and well to attend the blood drive and donate this much-needed resource. The gift of blood is the gift of life.

ope or ti to s raiser

In November, Local 537 held its Hope for Huntington's cornhole tournament fundraiser in support of member Dominic Taverna's family, as they care for Dominic’s wife Shauna who is suffering from Huntington's disease. Huntington’s Disease (HD) is an inherited disorder in which nerve cells in the brain break down and are irreversibly damaged. This mutation affects an area deep in the brain that helps control movement, mood, and thinking.

As a union community, we're proud to show up in times of need to support our fellow union members and their families. We're excited to announce that we've raised more than $15,000 to benefit the Taverna family.

Holidays at Local 537

Local 537 was proud to celebrate the holiday season with our annual Christmas parties and charitable drives.

ANNUAL LOCAL 537 CHARITY HOCKEY GAME

Pipefitters Local 537 held our second annual Charity Hockey Tournament on July 30 in memory of Richie Gosson and in support of other 537 charitable causes. It was a fun-filled day of games and friendly competition at Quincy Youth Arena. Congratulations to all the tournament winners, including first place winners, Team Kings; second placers, Team Sharks; third placers, Ducks; and fourth placers, Team Flames. We hope you enjoyed the competition!

Local 537 members, families, and staff took to the ice to play the great game of hockey, free skate, enjoy a buffet, participate in raffles, and a bag toss tournament! Thank you to all who showed up, participated in activities, and donated to a good cause. We are forever grateful to have such a giving and committed Local 537 community, and we wouldn't be the great union we are today without the generous charitable contributions of members and their families.

ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF OUTING

Local 537 was pleased to host our 28th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Crosswinds Golf Club this past September! It was wonderful to see so many members come together in the spirit of charity that is so central to our union. Congratulations to our tournament winners, and thank you to all members who participated in this important event.

The funds raised through this tournament will be donated to local charities committed to strengthening and improving our communities.

As always, Local 537 is proud to have members who truly embody what this great union is all about. We are grateful for all contributions toward the communities we live in and serve.

UNION HALL GALLERY

Local 537 was thrilled to complete the Union Hall Gallery Project, which included developing our website and installing QR Code tiles throughout the Union Hall to help bring to life the union’s amazing history for members and guests alike. Each QR code links to a new web page created under the “Our Union” tab on the website. Now, members and guests are able to engage with the displays and learn more about the union by simply scanning the QR code with their mobile devices.

This project not only uplifts our great union's history but also highlights the essential training classrooms that Pipefitters 537’s state-of-the-art training facility is proud to offer, including the pipefitting, welding, rigging, HVAC, and computer-assisted design training rooms.

Pipe tters Local 537

40 Enterprise Street

Dorchester, MA 02125

REFER A FRIEND TO LOCAL 537

At Pipefitters 537, we're always looking to build our membership and elevate our craft. Part of building our union means expanding our ranks, so we can ensure more people have access to union-quality benefits, wages, and training and safety standards.

If you know anyone with pipefitting experience looking to build their career, please direct them to our website and encourage them to reach out to the Union Hall at 617-787-5370.

Pipefitters537.org