WINTER 2019
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SMW17 UPDATE DELIVERING RESULTS IS WHAT WE DO
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 BUSINESS MANAGER’S REPORT 4 VETERANS HAVE A HOME IN SMW17 5 VOICES OF OUR VETERANS 6 PINNING CEREMONY 10 STANDING UP FOR RESPONSIBLE CONTRACTING
11 YOUR BENEFITS AT WORK 12 FOLLOW THE CONVERSATION
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ABOUT
SHEET METAL WORKERS LOCAL 17 Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 is a building trade union representing more than 2,700 skilled and licensed workers throughout Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. We stand together as the most highly trained professionals in the industry, bringing the top safety standards and quality to every project. Local 17 was formed in 1896 so that men and women working in the sheet metal industry could bargain collectively for better work standards. Today, our members enjoy dignified contracts, industryleading wages and healthcare, and a sound pension plan they can count on after retirement. 1157 Adams Street, Dorchester, MA 02124 (617) 296-1680
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BUSINESS MANAGER'S REPORT Dear Brothers and Sisters, 2018 was a banner year for Local 17. We’re growing in strength and numbers, and we look forward to building on our success in the year ahead. Generating Even More Work We’re proud to report that through our strategic partnerships with developers, contractors, and project owners, we captured more work outside our core bidding areas which generated thousands of hours of work for our members. Our commitment to identifying new opportunities for our members, and remaining vigilant and responsive to changing markets is essential to producing more work for our union. Industry-Leading Wages and Benefits Thanks to the strength and solidarity of each and every one of you during our most recent contract negotiations, we were also able to secure an industryleading contract that helps us maintain good wages and great benefits. While a lot has changed since Local 17 first formed more than 120 years ago, one thing that remains the same is our steadfast commitment to our hardworking members. That’s why we take on the tough fights that matter most. From challenging irresponsible contractors who rely on unlicensed workers, to standing up for retirement security when Congress threatens to take it away, we’re committed to ensuring that our voices are heard and that our rights and values are protected. The Fight Ahead We can’t do it alone. To keep advancing in 2019, we’ll need everyone to get involved and to take action. To help you stay up-to-date on important union news and events, we’re expanding our member communications program to include email, text messaging, videos, social media, newsletters, a new website and more. We’ve also created a mobile news network so you can receive action alerts in real time. Join now by texting “SMW17” to 55222. In the face of increasing attacks on labor, our solidarity is more important now than ever. Let’s continue to stand strong and to stand united.
Sincerely, Bob Butler Business Manager, Local 17
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CREATING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERANS
Transitioning from the battlefield to the workplace can be difficult. After bravely serving our country, many veterans say it’s a challenge to match the skills they developed in the military with those of potential employers. Office jobs don’t always feel like the right fit. And sometimes, they have a hard time finding a sense of purpose. As a result, too many of the Commonwealth’s bravest struggle with unemployment. At SMW17, we’re working to change that. We respect the wide range of skills, leadership and work ethic that our returning veterans bring to the table when they return home. And we know the life-changing opportunities, both economically and psychologically, that a career in the union building trades can bring to them and their family. That’s why construction unions, including the Sheet Metal Workers, are stepping up to bridge this gap, through our partnership with Helmets to Hardhats. A national apprenticeship training program sponsored
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by the building trades unions, the program connects National Guard, Reserve and transitioning active-duty military members with meaningful, middle-class careers in the union building trades. Sheet Metal Workers Local 17, a member of the Massachusetts Building Trades Council, is a proud partner of Helmets to Hardhats. The state council has placed nearly 600 military veterans in union construction jobs in Massachusetts. Helmets to Hardhats provides three-to-five year apprenticeships for these returning veterans, which allows them to “earn while they learn.” They don’t need prior experience in a trade to enter the program and when they finish, they are well-trained and ready to pursue a career in the field. At a recent event at the state capital in Boston, SMW17 proudly donated $2,000 to Helmets to Hardhats, which netted more than $50,000 for the life-changing career pathways program. Many of our own members have earned their jobs through Helmets to Hardhats, and at the event several were recognized for their excellence.
VOICES OF OUR VETERANS
“It was a struggle adjusting back to civilian life at first, but Local 17 and Helmets to Hardhats gave me incredible support to start a rewarding new career using my existing skills, plus set new goals to keep my life going on track.” - Michael Morani Veteran and SMW17 apprentice
“I enjoy going to work every day knowing that the future is a lot brighter for me. I am able to support my family with good pay and benefits, and I have a solid pension to look forward to after retirement.” - Marc Jaramillo Veteran and SMW17 apprentice
“I feel very fortunate. I love my job as a sheet metal worker and I’m grateful for Helmets to Hardhats and Local 17 giving me, my wife and kids the stability and security we can count on.” - Evan Donohoe Veteran and SMW17 member
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PINNING CEREMONY Since our humble beginnings in 1896, Local 17 has been blessed with strong leadership, committed members, and supportive families. At our recent Pinning Ceremony, we were honored to recognize the incredible contributions of our longtime members and celebrate their outstanding 25, 40, 50, 60 and 70 year milestones as members of Local 17. Congratulations to all!
PIN RECIPIENTS
25 year members Master......... William E..... Glen V......... Thomas J...... Scott T. ........ John T.......... Brian P......... Robert M...... Scott............ Robert A...... David.......... Paul F........... William........ Anthony R.... James F........ Scott J.......... Michael P..... Bernard Y. ... Richard A..... David.......... Joel E........... Timothy J...... Scott J.......... James R........ Wayne......... Peter R......... Luis E........... Robert F....... Albert R....... Robert J........ Judson......... William H....
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Adams Adams, Jr Allen, Jr Anastasio Bailey Banigan, Jr Barry Belli Blinkhorn Bright Butler Canavan Chan Ciarlone Cicchese Comeau Corbett Courturier Coviello Dellascio Fairhurst, Sr Feely Fitzgerald Geoffroy Golden Gosselin Guzman Hardiman, Jr Hebert Johnson Jordan Kelley, V
Roland C...... Kittredge, Jr Stephen....... Kovatsi, II John W........ Krim Robert C...... Lambert Todd D......... Lawrence William E..... Leeman Lloyd J......... Light, Jr. John A......... Maintanis Sebastian..... Masiello Joseph......... McGrath Michael S..... Morani Matthew R.... Murphy Paul............. Myslivy Robert D...... O’Brien Michael A.... O’Connor, Sr Steven.......... Paccioretti Michael....... Panarelli David.......... Park Robert L....... Phillips John F.......... Presutti Andrew J...... Pugliese, Jr Dennis G...... Rowe Michael G.... Scolaro Chris........... Standring Theodore H.. Such Russell L....... Tetreault, Jr Anthony....... Trippiedi Mark........... Walker Ronald J....... Welch, Jr John T.......... Wood William J...... Zyla, Jr. William P...... Zyla, Sr
40 year members
William W.... William A..... Frederick J.... Richard........ Raymond P.... Kan Y........... James J........ Robert P....... Robert.......... David W...... Phillip W...... Clifford E..... Thomas I...... Everett F....... Gerard M..... Ramon R...... Richard D..... Patrick J....... Russell A...... Festus W...... Mark E......... Robert S....... William L...... Eugene E...... Melvin E....... Stephen M.... Myles F........ Michael J..... Lawrence J.... David A....... Steven A...... John J..........
Arvidson Bennett Benoit Bowen Cagnon Cheung Conley, Jr Cote Eva Foisy Freethey Garrett Gavaghan Gill, Jr Goupil Guerrero Hillson Hughes Jones Joyce Keefe Lawson MacDonald MacFadgen Matson McKenzie Milch, Jr Miscioscia, Jr Moll Mucci Niedzialkoski Norton
Kevin P......... Pewitt William A..... Pidgeon Nathan E..... Pierre Francesco S.. Polese John H......... Reed, III Normand G..Roy Louis W........ Russell Peter J.......... Sullivan Philip E........ Tareila Gordon........ Tibbetts Jeffrey L........ Tobey David R........ Truchon Marcel J....... Turmenne Thomas F...... Ucci Michael....... Znosko
25 year members
40 year members
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PIN RECIPIENTS 50 year members
60 year members
Thomas G..... Albrecht
Michael....... Keany
Thomas E..... Bache
Nicholas...... Makos
Andrew........ Andersen
Robert E....... Keegan
William L...... Beedle
Edward J...... McInerney
Wendell C.... Bager
Milton J........ Kramer
Robert A...... Benvissuto
James D....... McLaachlan
Robert.......... Balme
Roger W...... Lagasse
Roy J........... Berggren
Edward L...... Barrett, Jr.
Clifford P...... Lagerstrom
Ralph W....... McLeod
John H......... Bean
Russell E....... Macmillan
Leo O.......... Berube
Gaetano S.... Mistretta
Allen J......... Beven
Robert G...... Marvel
Roland L....... Brousseau
Dominic W... Monzione
Donald E...... Boudreau
Renaldo W... Mauritson, Jr
Eugene H..... Brown
Donald E...... Morrell
John F.......... Boudreau
Joseph L....... McArdle
Eugene A..... Campatelli
Lawrence R... Moulton
Arthur P........ Brasill, Sr
James V........ McCallum
Philip J......... Cannata
Thomas C..... Mullane
Norman A.... Brothers
Thomas J...... Melanson
Nicholas R.... Carrazza
Raymond D... Nash, Jr
William F...... Bulens
Roger A....... Morin
James D....... Cortese
Philip J......... Osmond, Jr
James J........ Carroll
Frank S........ Mroz
Robert L....... DiTullio, Sr
Francis T....... Cooper
Joseph J....... Nigro
Edward C..... Parker
Francis W..... Coyman, Jr
Richard K..... Noble
Raymond G.. Duhamel
James A....... Petersen
Ronald F....... Cronin
Daniel W...... Norton
Robert J........ Fanning
Albert J........ Poulin
Arthur V....... Dellascio
Robert M...... O’Neil
Coleman J.... Flaherty
Robert A...... Powers, Jr.
Anthony R.... DeStefano
Louis C......... Perron
William F...... Fruth
Roy H.......... Risberg
Stephen R..... Doyle
Paul E.......... Perron
Richard J...... Gibbs
Charles F...... Robinson
Thomas J...... Doyle
Melvin J....... Pforr, Jr
Lawrence H.. Gordon
John E.......... Sargent
Brian J......... Dunbar
William A..... Pidgeon
Gerald A...... Gorichs
Charles S..... Smith
John T.......... Falzone
Howard C.... Porter, Jr
L. R.............. Guay
William P...... Fitzgerald
George T...... Roberts
Leroy C........ Smith, Jr
Robert E....... Fitzpatrick
Thomas J...... Rousseau, Sr.
Charles J...... Hardiman
Robert E....... Tracey
Thomas P...... Foley, Jr
Robert.......... Ruggere
Ralph H....... Johnson
Vincent C..... Vendice
John A......... Foster
Andrew........ Santos
Robert H...... Jones
Edmund J..... Walsh, Jr
Robert A...... Foster
Clifford C..... Sargent
Michael....... Keany
Paul E.......... Weir
Raymond E... Freeman
Joseph A...... Slicius
Merrill G...... Leavens
Edward W.... Ziegler
Joseph R....... Gallant
Ronald O..... Soucy
Robert F....... Grue
Bradley D..... Steele
Asbjorn H..... Guldhauge
Robert G...... Sturk
Daniel W...... Hardy
Kenneth G.... Swanton
Richard S..... Harrington
Richard L...... Taylor
Chester W.... Holt, Jr
James M....... Walsh
Ronald K...... Itzo
Richard W.... Walsh, Jr
Alfred A....... Johnson
James A....... Webber, Sr
Peter E......... Joyce
Edward J...... Whalen
Paul E.......... Kavanagh
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70 year members Frank P......... Buono
James A....... Painten
Jasper P........ Buono
Pellegrino R.. Tulimieri
Robert R. ..... Greaves
Samuel P...... Volpe
Kopel........... Lajmer
50 year members
60 year members
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SHEET METAL WORKERS IN THE NEWS
SMW1 discovere 7 Blue Hills d that Technical Regional relying o School is n unlic workers to perfor ensed m its million re novation $84 . Because of our ad vo the matte r is now cacy, be examine d by stat ing e officials.
Poor Role Modeling in Tech School Renovation Unlicensed workers undercut safety and quality message in classroom By Bob Butler, Business Manager, Sheet Metal Workers Local 17
THE IRONY
shouldn’t be lost on students and staff at Blue Hills Regional Technical School in Canton as they watch unlicensed construction workers perform the school’s $84 million renovation. As students inside Blue Hills learn about rigid construction industry standards and how to correctly and safely build a project, outside, unlicensed workers are risking their own lives and the lives of everyone in the building, because they haven’t received proper training for the work they’re doing. Construction is the most dangerous industry in America. Nationally, nearly one-quarter of all worker deaths occur in the construction industry. In Massachusetts last year, construction accidents accounted for one-third, or 21 out of 74, of workplace fatalities, according to a 2018 report from Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health and the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. And there were far more nonfatal construction accidents too. To receive a license to do jobs like electrical wiring, or sheet metal work involving installing heating, ventilation and air conditioning, for example, workers often attend both a technical school, not unlike Blue Hills, and complete a multi-year apprenticeship program. Licensed workers are well-trained in their craft and in safety measures. Unlicensed workers, on the other hand, receive minimal training at best, putting their work product, life, and limb at risk. Cutting corners by hiring unlicensed workers may help a contractor’s bottom line, but I’m fairly certain that everyone who walks into that school every day, or has a loved one who does, would expect that every precaution has been taken to
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ensure that safe construction practices are followed. That’s not the case, sadly, with the Blue Hills renovation project. All of this begs the question: Where are the school administrators and town officials who have been informed that unlicensed workers are on the job? Blue Hills has an obligation to prepare its students for safe, successful careers in construction. Don’t they care about the quality of the work being done and the safety of all those who will be using the new building? Public vocational schools like Blue Hills have historically played a valuable role in preparing students for meaningful careers in the trades. Their students graduate with a foundation for moving into good, middle-class jobs that fuel our local economy. By undermining important construction industry standards using unlicensed workers, the Blue Hills renovation project is teaching a terrible, and terribly dangerous, lesson. Blue Hills District School Committee chair Marybeth Nearen was quoted at the groundbreaking for the school’s renovation as saying, “We want to continue the Blue Hills tradition of providing students with the best career and technical education possible.” We couldn’t agree more, and we wish Chairman Nearen, and town and school officials, would follow her words by showing that quality and safety aren’t just theoretical lessons taught to students, but are actually practiced on school construction job sites as well.
YOUR BENEFITS AT WORK SHEET METAL WORKERS LOCAL 17 INSURANCE FUND: LEADING THE INDUSTRY IN QUALITY
As healthcare costs across the U.S. continue to skyrocket, workers are increasingly being forced to shoulder the burden. What’s worse, they’ve had to sacrifice the best doctors and medicine by getting forced into lower quality plans with high deductibles. At SMW17, we know how important it is to have quality, affordable healthcare that you and your family can rely on. While we aren’t immune to these rising costs, we’re working hard to contain your total out-of-pocket expenses without sacrificing great coverage; and we’re proud to be bucking the national trend: Today 53% of all U.S. workers with employer-sponsored health insurance have high deductible plans. Their average deductible is $3,200/year per family. At Local 17, our members’ deductible remains $0. We know low out-of-pocket costs are important and that’s why we’re committed to providing top tier coverage that doesn’t sacrifice your ability to access the best doctors. You work hard day in and day out and your family deserves the peace of mind that comes with high-quality, affordable healthcare.
Access to the Best Doctors
No Deductible
Retiree Healthcare
SMW17 Other THE FIGHT AHEAD
CLOSING A PREVAILING WAGE LOOPHOLE Prevailing wage laws exist to protect workers from substandard wages and to uphold community standards. In Massachusetts, there’s a loophole allowing non-union contractors to underbid on qualified prevailing wage projects, and pay workers less than the prevailing wage law requires, because the materials were produced “offsite.” Local 17 is fighting to close this exploited loophole. We’re sponsoring legislation on Beacon Hill to ensure offsite prefabrication is subject to prevailing wage requirements. California and New Jersey have passed similar protections for their workers, and we’re urging Massachusetts lawmakers to do the same. With your help, we can stop bad contractors from undercutting good ones. Sign up now for our mobile alerts by texting “SMW17” to 55222 so we can keep you up to date on this important campaign.
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Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 1157 Adams Street, Dorchester, MA 02124
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