68 Gauge Fall 05 Final

Local 68/68A/68B International Union of Operating Engineers Education Fund
New
State-of-the-Art
Training Center
Opens
Fall 2005
IN THIS ISSUE:
2005
Scholarships
Announced
Annual Picnic
Attended by
Over 1,500
Fund Service
Office Goes
Hi-Tech
In Our Mailbox
IN MEMORIUM
Tom, Vincent
Dear Dennis,
sisters:
brothers and
n
io
Un
and all
there are
world today,
is
th
in
to
at
know th
o, I started
It’s good to
few years ag
s
A
re
.
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on
ul
. As a pers
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people who tr
su
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me
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rous he
cared fo
develop nume
that people
I didn’t know
sector and
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at
op
iv
pe
pr
r
fo
ars in the
ye
17
lp I have
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rk
e
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received th
ve
ha
t
no
inued.
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uld have cont
probably woul
ed, if I wo
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ce
re
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an
needed,
for
and sisters
its brothers
d
an
is
68
th
l
r Loca
ved ones in
Thank God fo
ll as my lo
to my
Dear Mike Gann,
for me as we
e
a real help
er
th
en
g
be
in
s
be
ha
nd
fu
I will
be.
su
. The
is challeng
time of need
g through th
re
in
mo
tt
ng
ge
ui
Thanks for working out the
in
rs
tly, and pu
family and me
a
to work shor
is
ck
contract and pension questions
It
ba
g
s.
in
er
rn
be retu
ssible care
e even more
I had. I’m hoping to return to
skills and po
that there ar
educational
ow
kn
to
y
it
work on the 20th of June.
portun
wonderful op
Vincent called me before the
opened.
be
to
s
or
do
of
operation and spoke with my
the members
have all of
to
be
ve
to
ti
ng
ia
wife from California after the
si
ec
a great bles
I am so appr
I would
.
life. It is
le
operation. You know, I’ve
my
op
pe
in
n
ng
io
the Un
lly cari
g
such wonderfu
always been proud of our Union.
is, for bein
surrounded by
family, Denn
ur
of
yo
d
me
an
ti
But when Vincent took the time
k you
in this
like to than
family and me
to call me from Washington and
ople to my
.
ce
en
such good pe
ffer
California, it showed just how
s all the di
need. It make
much our Union cares about our
on.
d see you so
bless you, an
d
members. To me, it’s not just a
Go
u,
yo
Thank
Union, it’s a family.
r,
Union Brothe
rko
Ma
F.
d
Leonar
Thanks again,
Jeff Navallo,
Telcordia, Piscataway
Dear Mr. De
nnis Giblin
:
As you know
, my father
, William
on October
Stevens, pa
14, 2004,
ssed away
after a lo
He was a pr
ng battle
oud member
with cancer
of Local 68
I mean PROU
.
D!
for 35 year
s. And
I cannot te
ll you how
many times
“the best
Local in th
I heard hi
m call it
e world”.
of unions
Any time th
came up, he
e subject
would go on
great the
health bene
and on abou
fits were,
t how
pension an
how phenom
d annuity
enal the
funds were
working fo
, and how
r the loca
much he lo
l.
ved
He was righ
t. Those gr
eat health
to continue
benefits en
getting me
dical trea
abled him
year fight
tment thro
against ca
ughout his
nc
er
family to
.
Th
18
at
pe
nsion allo
survive wh
wed our
en he was
That annuit
no longer
y fund will
able to wo
now make th
easier for
rk.
ings a litt
my mother,
le bit
Lucy, to ma
nage financ
ially.
I would li
ke to take
this opport
his behalf
unity to th
, and on be
ank you on
half of my
entire fami
ly.
Sincerely,
Kim Steven
s-Redstone
2
Local 68 IUOE wishes
to extend its condolences
to the families of Local 68
members who have passed
away since August 1, 2004:
Odell Altman
Abdul Amed
Harold O. Ballweg
Jonathan Beverlee
Martin Borton Jr.
Charles Cairns
John Callaghan
David Cogott
Roberto Colon
Joseph Conerly
Ronald Copeland
Raymond Courtine
Frank D'Amore
Dominic Doyle
Raymond Dygert
Angelo Francesco
Anthony Funny
Michael Gannon
Wilbert Gerald
Frank Grassi
Frank Gryz
Paul Jedic
Bernhard Jontow
Frank J. Kratz
Thomas Mann Jr.
Howard Martin
Irving Mate
Daniel McBride
James McIntyre
John W. McNally
Maxie Miller, III
Robert Mintz
Leonard Mosman
Walter Noessier
Richard Novack
Louis Palazzo
Alphonse Paolello
Benjamin Pedota
Albert Pempey
Stanley Pomers
Rhonda Porter
Guistino Rizzolo
Daniel Sexton
James F. Silver Jr.
David T. Stanley
William Stevens
Elmore Sumpter Jr.
Gordon Szabo
Joseph Vella
Louis Weed
Gerard Werner
Education
In Recognition
Vincent J. Giblin Elected General
President of International Union
of Operating Engineers
Labor Law and Grievance
Procedures Covered During Shop
Steward Training Course
Nearly 150 Local 68 shop stewards attended the spring 2005 sessions of the Shop Steward
Training Course. Robert C. Angelo, Ed.D., Director of the Rutgers Union Leadership Academy,
Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations, was the instructor for the training.
Professor Angelo traveled from Harrison, to Atlantic City, and then to Rutgers University in New
Brunswick to make the training accessible to stewards throughout the state.
The training took place over four consecutive Wednesday evenings at each site, and brought
a wealth of information to Local 68's shop stewards on such topics as gripe versus grievance,
writing grievances, Weingarten rights, and the legal rights of stewards.
“It is critical that our shop stewards understand their roles and rights in acting as liaisons
between employees and management, and that they effectively communicate information about
the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the grievance procedure to the members at their
sites,” said Mary Moriarty, Esq., Local 68 General Counsel.
For example, “Weingarten Rights” provide protection for employees who are being questioned by an employer about an occurrence at the work site. If an employee is questioned,
"Weingarten rights" provide that the employee has a right to have the shop steward present as
a witness during the questioning. However, as Dr. Angelo pointed out, the employee must know
enough to assert this right by making the request for the shop steward's presence.
Professor Angelo pointed out that the most effective shop stewards are those who are model
employees and exemplify the performance that is expected of all employees at a site. Such stewards are able to advocate enthusiastically for the members, and also deal respectfully with
management, thus achieving the best possible results for members in the process.
Other important areas covered during the Shop Steward Training Course included an
overview of Labor Law, a history of the American Labor Movement, and the various aspects of
a Union's "duty of fair representation" owed to its members. Since stewards often initiate the
grievance process within their shops, the seriousness of time deadlines associated with filing
grievances was covered, as well as the importance of prompt and thorough factual investigation
of each grievance. Also, Moriarty summarized for each group of stewards how claims of “harassment” should be handled by stewards on the job, and the coverage of the state and federal family medical leave acts, which members have begun to use with increasing frequency.
Dr. Angelo sought volunteers in the fourth and final session at each location to present
various fact patterns to the rest of the group, with stewards pretending to be the grievant, union
representative, or management in each scene. The presentations were quite lively, with all steward-actors demonstrating the skills they had learned during the training. Participants uniformly
expressed gratitude for the information gained through the sessions, and for the opportunity to
talk through troubling issues at their respective job-sites.
“Our shop stewards are the eyes and ears of the union,” said Thomas P. Giblin, Local 68 IUOE
Business Manager. “It is critical that our stewards are well trained in their rights and responsibilities. We commend those stewards who attended this year's training session.”
3
he General
Executive
Board of the
International Union
of Operating Engineers
unanimously elected
Vincent J. Giblin as
General President,
effective March 1, 2005.
Giblin, who had served as
General Secretary-Treasurer
since 2002, succeeds Frank Hanley, who announced
his retirement after 15 years in the position.
A 40-year veteran of Local 68, Vincent Giblin
served as Business Manager from 1975 to 2004.
“From the day in 1964 when I began working the
trade, on through the 29 years I served as Business
Manager of Local 68, I was fortunate to receive wise
counsel and invaluable guidance from countless
individuals. Most importantly, I enjoyed virtually
complete cooperation and support from the Local 68
membership,” said Vincent Giblin.
Giblin was elected an International Vice President
in 1989, a position he held until his election as General
Secretary-Treasurer. In addition, he served as
President of the Northeast Conference of Operating
Engineers and chaired the IUOE Stationary Committee.
“My goal as General President will be to pursue
any and all initiatives that will benefit the members of
the IUOE and their families. That will be the guiding
factor as far as I am concerned in adopting and
implementing policies and programs, and allocating
resources,” said Vincent Giblin.
“I want and expect all IUOE members to receive a
fair day’s pay, with decent benefits, for a fair day’s
work,” added Giblin.
Giblin was named a member of the Board of
Directors of Blue Cross-Blue Shield of New Jersey in
1993 and has served as Chairman of the Board since
July 1994. He also has served in various capacities on
myriad government and industry endeavors, including
the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the
New Jersey Department of Labor’s Office of Boiler
Pressure Vessel Compliance, and the Atlantic City
Gaming Commission. Vincent Giblin is a graduate of
the Harvard University Trade Union Program.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the IUOE
represents 400,000 members working in heavy
construction and in the operation and maintenance
of commercial complexes and buildings, as well as in
other occupations, in the U.S. and Canada.
T
Recent News
Center showcases Union’s
commitment to education
Local 68 Opens New State-of-the-Art
Training Center
f you haven’t heard the news by now, you haven’t been paying
attention! Local 68 is proud to announce that the Local 68 Training
Center has been completely overhauled and is now operating with
high-tech, state-of-the-art equipment out of the 14 Fairfield Place, West
Caldwell headquarters.
Under the leadership and vision of Local 68 IUOE President/Fund
Administrator Dennis J. Giblin, renovations began in the fall of 2004 with
the official opening occurring in January 2005. Now, the Training Center
is gearing up for the fall ’05 semester and is anticipating record-breaking
enrollment numbers.
“I wanted to create a high-tech learning environment for our members.
It was time to bring our teaching technology up to speed with the future of
our industry,” said Dennis Giblin.
I
Changes begin in the lobby …
When you enter the existing 14 Fairfield Place building, you will
immediately notice the difference. A fingerprint-reading device is located
at the entrance to the new Training Center, which is where students check
in for each session of their classes. In
addition, brand-new restroom facilities,
vending machines and a flat-panel television monitor broadcasting current news
announcements greet students in the lobby
entrance to the facility.
Every classroom equipped with
online capabilities …
Each of the new classrooms, ranging in size
from small classrooms to a large lecture hall to
hands-on classrooms, is equipped with wireless technology for the instructors to utilize as well as access to a wide array of instructional resources.
“We are building an Online Resource Library for our instructors as a
way to collaborate and coordinate the materials that are being taught,”
explained Dennis Giblin.
The Online Resource Library offers a central place for instructors
to access lesson plans, audio-visual materials, photos, Power Point
presentations, and other pertinent instructional materials. This enables
the teaching to be consistent from day to day, morning to evening, and
semester to semester as well as updated continuously and immediately for
all instructors. The Online Resource Library is accessible wirelessly from
every classroom by every instructor.
David Janas, a Local 68 Engineer at the Quakerbridge Mall, is a current
student at the Training Center and recently commented on the positive
aspect of the classrooms’ online capabilities.
“It is great to be able to access technical web sites during class time in
order to better understand a topic that is being covered,” said Janas. “The
instructors are able to do more with the technology that is now available
at their fingertips.”
Janas also commented on the new computer lab that is located on the
second floor of the Training Center. “The online study and test offerings
[e.g., Homeland Security] are great,” said Janas.
A Wealth of Experience is Available
Training Center instructors have
more than half a million hours of
service to Local 68. Combined,
instructors have 291 years - or
605,280 hours - of service
as Local 68 members.
Instructors
David Williams
Orestes Noda
Mark Molinsky
Winston Minott
Tom Le Compte
Michael Rooney
Joseph Doll
Frank Yorke
Tony Scorciolla
Frank Morro
Craig Mall
Dennis Hercel
Jeffrey Henderson
Member Since
3/6/1980
9/1/1998
2/21/1980
9/1/2004
6/21/1979
11/2/1969
6/1/1978
1/1/1989
2/1/1989
7/19/1973
8/1/1983
6/21/1979
11/1/1973
4
Saving members’
money …
One registration fee
for the year
Training Center courses help members at their
work sites …
One of the goals in creating the new Training Center was for Local 68
members to stay ahead of the curve at their employer sites.
“We want our employers to continue to highly value our members at
their work sites. We want to be the best choice available to employers,”
said Dennis Giblin.
Janas is a perfect example of how education at the Training Center can
aid members as they work at their sites. “I do a lot of work with variable
frequency drives at my site. After taking classes at the Training Center, I
now have a better understanding of how these drives work and how they
do what they do,” explained Janas.
Another student, David Strahan concurred with Janas. “The combination
of theory and hands-on training is great,” said Strahan, a one-year member
of Local 68 who works at The New York Times in Edison in the boiler
maintenance area.
“The other guys at my site are great to work with. That’s where what I
have learned at the Training Center really
gets hammered home,” added Strahan.
CD-ROM Training
Complements
Classroom Instruction
A
compilation of 128 CD-ROMS is
At the same time that the Local
now available to students of the Local
68 Education Fund has invested
68 Training Center as a way to
in building a new Training
complement classroom learning time.
Center for members, the tuition
“The CD-ROM training is an option
fee for Local 68 members from
for students to make up missed
contributing sites has actually
classroom time or to
decreased. For one annual fee of
reinforce materials that
$150, members from contributing
were covered in the
sites can take as many classes as
classroom,” explained
they wish throughout the year.
Dennis Giblin, Local
68 IUOE President/
Members from non-contributing
Fund Administrator.
sites pay $300 per year; nonTopics covered
members pay $600 per quarter.
in
the
CD-ROM collection
“It was important that we
include such titles as Air
make education an affordable
Handlers: Mechanical Systems;
option for as many members as
Introduction to Boilers; Hand Tools and
possible,” said Dennis Giblin.
Their Use; and Electrical Lock Out and
“With one low annual payment,
Tag Out.
students are encouraged to
Students have access to the Training
Center’s new computer lab, located on
progress through their education
the second floor of the Training Center
as efficiently and productively as
building, to view the CD-ROMs.
possible.”
For more information, call
In addition to the change in
973-227-6426 ext. 215.
the tuition structure, the class
structure has also changed:
■ Shorter class segments
are available.
■ Classes are now offered throughout the year – you can begin
taking classes at any time.
■ The same courses are offered during both morning and evening
hours to coordinate with rotating work schedules.
Simple things are important …
comfortable chairs!
The Training Center changes have also
impacted on the simple things, such as the
comfort of the students. “The chairs are much
more comfortable,” said Chris Benson, who is
part of the Preventive Maintenance Crew at
St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston
and a current student at the Training Center.
“We wanted to make the whole environment appealing to members,”
noted Dennis Giblin. “The chairs, the desks, the paint colors as well as the
large viewing monitors and better lighting all positively impact on the
student’s experience.”
“We are really taking a step into the 21st century with the new facility,”
said Benson.
Don’t wait another minute to see it for
yourself ...
Instructors are well-trained, experienced and
dedicated to helping students learn …
“Every Local 68 member needs to come in and see the changes to our new
Training Center,” encouraged Dennis Giblin. “We want all members to take
the initiative and re-commit to furthering their education. This will continue
to make our local the best choice available to New Jersey employers. ”
As Training Center student Strahan explained, “We all need to keep up
to date with the latest building systems technology. Training is ongoing.”
To learn more about how to get started, call the Training Center
at 973-227-6426, ext. 215.
Benson also noted that the instructors are excellent and many make a
difference in the motivation for students.
“It really makes a difference for the students when the instructors are
well-prepared and committed to helping students succeed,” said Benson.
5
Recent News
Tech improved office will
better serve the members
Local 68 Fund Service Office
More Organized than Ever Before
ver the past year, the Local
68 IUOE Fund Service
Office, located in West
Caldwell, N.J., has become more
organized and ready to address
member’s inquiries more quickly
than ever before. A new and efficient filing system for all fund
information combined with the
archiving and high-tech scanning
of all documentation has contributed to a customer-friendly
atmosphere which translates into
more prompt and efficient service for Local 68 members.
“Questions can now be answered
in minutes versus days,” said
Dennis J. Giblin, Local 68
IUOE President/FundAdministrator.
Under Dennis Giblin’s leadership,
the office has moved towards a paperless environment and more technology-based systems as a way
to become more efficient and
customer-focused.
“We are more organized than
ever before,” said Dennis Giblin.
“That translates directly into
better service to our membership.”
O
Color-coded filing
system keeps information organized
The role of Gina Giordano, General Accounting, is to ensure that the
overall financial situation of the Fund Service Office is in working
order. She also coordinates financial information with the Fund
Office’s independent auditor.
“The changes to the office have been great. We are all really
positive about the new system for addressing the needs of Local 68
members,” said Giordano.
In fact, when a member calls the Fund Service Office with a question
concerning his pension, annuity or other benefit, the Fund Service
employees now have each member’s information at their fingertips. A
color-coded filing system has taken the place of less organized files
used previously making it much easier for the staff to find a member’s
current information.
“The new filing system really makes a difference in how quickly we
can address members’ questions,” said Mary Anne Wojtal, Pension
Fund Representative, as she retrieved a member’s yellow file, which
represents a pension fund file. Different colors are used to identify
the other funds: red for annuity, orange for welfare, and purple for the
sub-fund (unemployment and disability). Pink represents files
containing monthly remittance information from employers.
The Fund Service Office also keeps track of all of the remittances
received each month for every union member and posts that information
to the member’s individual accounts. “We constantly look out for
members through our contact with employers,” said Rosemarie
Mellody, Fund Remittance Representative, who has been with the
Fund Service Office since 1988. “If we see a remittance that doesn’t
look quite right or consistent, we immediately investigate it.”
Document scanning links members’ files
for Fund Service staff
Fund Service Office employee Kimberly Hamilton has taken on the
enormous resposibility of scanning in all old and current Fund Service
documents into a new computer-based database system that enables
the staff to view all related document files electronically for any given
member.
“I have scanned everything from pension applications and beneficiary forms, to divorce paperwork and annuity withdrawals,” said
Hamilton. “As new paperwork comes in, I scan it making our database
as current as possible and making it easier for us to address members’
questions.”
6
Pensions
Awarded
For example, if a member calls with a question concerning what day he began working at Local 68 and also
wants to know who his pension beneficiary is, the Fund Service staff can now type in the member’s social
security number (or search in another way, such as by last name), and all of the paperwork relating to that
member will be accessible via the database on the computer screen.
“No longer will the Fund Service staff have to sort through boxes of paper files. Now, they can simply click
through the scanned, electronic documents until the appropriate materials
are found,” said Dennis Giblin.
In the above example, both of the member’s questions could be answered
in just a few minutes by the staff rather than hours or even days.
Still critical for Local 68 members to notify
Fund Service Office of any status changes
(Left Photo) from left to right are
the Fund Service Office staff:
Gina Giordano, Kathy Iandiorio, Kim
Hamilton,Theresa Rowan, Patricia
Dandola, Robin Bonus, Rosemarie
Mellody, and Mary Anne Wojtal.
(Above Photo) Kim Hamilton on the
front line at the Fund Service office.
(Below Photo) Mary Anne Wojtal
keeping the colors coordinated.
Although the Fund Service Office is becoming much more high-tech and
efficient, the staff still urges union members to review the fund statements that they receive on a regular basis. If a member notices
something questionable, he should contact the Fund Service Office
immediately so the issue can be promptly resolved.
Other types of information that Local 68 members should share
immediately with the Fund Service Office are:
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Change in home address and phone number
Change in marital status (divorce or marriage)
Extended illness
Job loss or job site change
Birth or adoption of a child
Death of an immediate family member
Change in beneficiary information
Actual starting date with a new employer
Notification of upcoming retirement
(at least 8 weeks prior to retirement)
“Often, members do not realize that they need to notify the Fund
Service Office of simple changes, such as their home address or phone
number,” explained Patricia Dandola, Welfare and Annuity
Representative. “We want to be able to provide the best service possible
to our members and in order to do that, we need the most up-to-date
information. A quick phone call is all it takes!”
“Any change in status should be communicated to our office,” agreed Theresa Rowan, the longest-running
employee at the Fund Service Office, having been there since 1976.
The Fund Service Office also handles members’ health insurance enrollments and terminations in connection with Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey making it even more important for members to
notify Rowan or Dandola when there is a change in a member’s family status.
Kathy Iandiorio, Administrative Assistant, explained that the Fund Service Office is open Monday through
Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to handle questions from members.
“Our office has really progressed forward over the past year. We are ready to address any member
questions that come up,” said Iandiorio.
Fund Service Office Telephone: 973-227-6426
Theresa A. Rowan
Patricia A. Dandola
Rosemarie L. Mellody
Kimberly A. Hamilton
Mary Anne Wojtal
Gina Giordano
Kathleen Iandiorio
x.203
x.205
x.206
x.207
x.212
x.213
x.202
Welfare and Pension Fund Coordinator
Welfare and Annuity Representatiave
Fund Remittance Representative
trowan@iuoe-68.org
pdandola@iuoe-68.org
rmellody@iuoe-68.org
khamilton@iuoe-68.org
mwojtal@iuoe-68.org
ggiordano@iuoe-68.org
kiandiorio@iuoe-68.org
Pension Fund Representative
General Accounting
Administrative Assistant
7
August 2004
John Broomhead
Joseph Cotroneo
Frank Harden
Michael Kenny
Christopher Lynch
Robert McCullough
George McGeehan
James Middleton
Charles K. Taylor
Gary A. Toriello
Peter Ward
Allen White
Trump Marina
Cushman/Wakefield
Bally's Casino
Unicco
St. Barnabas
K-Mart
One Source
Hospital Rental
Resorts
Crowne Plaza
St. Barnabas
Taj Mahal
December 2004
Vincent Basile
Nicholas Cotugno
Manuel Couto
H. Perry De Witt
Willie Hamilton
Joseph Klasky
Albert Lurrain
Dusan Maric
James Ormsby
Lionello Matesic
Joseph Olechowski
Charles Pettineo
Sylvester Richardson
Charles Riggin
Michael Robinson
Robert Scarlett
Harry Sprigg
Kenneth Tango
Elmer Timens
Robert Zaleski
Taj Mahal
Larkin Fin. Center
Cushman/Wakefield
Unicco Service
Consolidated Laundry
Resorts
Unicco
Trump
Lawrence Assoc.
Mother Parkers
Garden State Paper
BTE
Conectiv
Atlantic Hilton
Resorts
Griffin Services
Griffin Services
Merchants Ref.
Essex Valley Health
Larkin
March 2005
William Birts
Morris Corsey
Fred Daniello
Patrick Farrell
John Gallagher
Louis Gauvain
Peter Jiosi
Albin Kubilis
John P. Leonard
Liam McGinley
Edward Mitchell
Willie Odom
Barrington Sharpe
Frank Shaw
Barton Tattersall
Caesars
AC Hilton
St. Barnabas
Anheuser Busch
Trump
Allstar
Crown Plaza
Universal
Airway
Clarion
Garden State Paper
St. Barnabas
TriMaintenance
ABM
CSI
July 2005
John Adams
Edward Brady
Joanne Collins
Louis Cook
Ted Czochanski
Roger Emme
Joseph Episcopo
O'Neill Ferraiolo
Ronald Fowlkes
Helen Gibson
Michael Griffin
Michael Honan
George Longo
Joan McElroy
Eunice Mack
William O'Connell
Ronald Orcutt
Howard Pfeiffer
David Piazza
Robert Ricci
Industrial Cooling
Tropicana
Bally's
BTE
Allied
Trump Plaza
Harrah's
Tri-Maintenance
Bally's
Trump Plaza
Cushman/Wakefield
Essex Valley Health
Parsippany Hilton
Local 68
Hilton Hotel
Market Halsey
Johnson Controls
Haagen Daz
Showboat
CSI
In Recognition
Funds Welcome Four New Trustees and
the Executive Board Gets New Electees
Several new trustees have been appointed to the joint boards of trustees that oversee the operations of the various Local 68 IUOE funds. Each Board
of Trustees meets quarterly and is comprised of up to three employer representatives and three union representatives. Local 68 welcomes the
following new trustees: Thomas Corona, Mike Favinger, Robert Masterson, and Raymond Simione.
“I look forward to the expertise, insight and advice that these new fund trustees will bring to Local 68,” said Dennis J. Giblin, Local 68 IUOE
President/Fund Administrator.
The Local 68 IUOE Annuity Fund
Board of Trustees reviews monthly
annuity withdrawals and random
payments and also monitors the
investment progress of the fund.
The Local 68 IUOE Education Fund
Board of Trustees monitors the educational progress of the membership by
reviewing the number of students
enrolled in classes, the number
receiving licenses, and other aspects
of the operations of the new Local 68
Training Center.
The Local 68 IUOE Pension
Fund Board of Trustees tracks
the progress of the pension
fund’s investments, approves
pensions for retirees and keeps tabs
on various other pension activities.
The Local 68 IUOE Welfare Fund and
SUB Fund Board of Trustees reviews
the health benefits plan and claims
payments, approves any changes to
the health benefits plans, and also
monitors membership trends regarding unemployment and disability
activity and payments. This board also
approves any applications made for
unemployment or disability benefits.
Annuity
Fund
Education
Fund
Pension
Fund
Welfare Fund and Supplemental
Unemployment Benefits Fund
Union Trustees
Francis R. James
550 Broad Street
Robert Masterson
Business Agent Local 68
Employer Trustees
John Q. Larkin, Secretary
Larkin Service Corp.
Dolores Capetola
County of Essex
Jose P. Garcia
Maverick Building Services
Union Trustees
Robert Masterson
Business Agent Local 68
Terence J. Sexton
570 Broad Street
Raymond A. Zampino
Unicco Best Foods
Employer Trustees
John E. Joyce, Secretary
Thomas Corona
Jones Lang LaSalle
Union Trustees
Kevin S. Clark
Resorts Maintenance
Robert Masterson
Business Agent Local 68
Employer Trustees
Philip Caprio, Secretary
Tri-Maintenance & Contractors
Arnold D. Manzo
St. Barnabas Medical Center
Union Trustees
Mike Favinger
AV Ports
Robert Masterson
Business Agent Local 68
Raymond Simione
ABM, ATT Data Center
Employer Trustees
Dolores Capetola, Secretary
County of Essex
Jose P. Garcia
Maverick Building Services
Local 68 IUOE
Executive Board
Membership
(as of September 1, 2005)
Thomas Beere
James J. Beirne
William V. Freda
James M. Gorman
Kevin P. McManus
John H. Moore
Gene Munn
Sean O'Neill
John C. Radcliffe
Martin P. Roughneen
Stephen Skirka
Edward C. Sweeney
Ronald Walker
Local 68 Adds Four New Members to Executive Board
As of September 1, 2005, the Local 68 IUOE Executive Board will include four new members bringing the
total number of Executive Board members to 13. The four new members are: John C. Radcliffe, Martin P.
Roughneen, Edward C. Sweeney, and Ronald Walker.
Ronald Walker, a Local 68 member since 1987, hopes to bring a “fresh viewpoint to the Executive Board”.
Representing one of the larger Local 68 employer sites, Walker is a plumber with the Port Authority working at
the Lincoln Tunnel site, previously having worked at Newark Liberty Airport. The Lincoln Tunnel site employs
29 Local 68 members, while the entire Port Authority operation employs 225 Local 68 members.
“Expanding the membership on the Local 68 IUOE Executive Board will result in a broader representation
from our membership, both geographically and strategically,” said Thomas P. Giblin, Local 68 IUOE Business
Manager.
John C. Radcliffe, who also joins the Executive Board, said, “As a long-time member of Local 68, I hope that
my many years of expertise will encourage members to become more active and involved in their union.”
Radcliffe is the Local 68 Business Representative for Essex County private employers, with 31 years as a member of the union. Prior to becoming a Business Representative more than five years ago, Radcliffe was the Chief
Operating Engineer at NJPAC in Newark.
The Local 68 IUOE Executive Board is part of the governing body of the union. The Board meets along with
the officers of Local 68 IUOE on a monthly basis to monitor the activities of the union, review policy issues that
affect the union and help shape the union’s strategic vision. The Executive Board is elected every three years.
8
Union Event
A splendid time
was had by all
Annual Picnic Brings
MembersTogether
M
Top – Get Down Tonight:Tom, Sylvia
and Tommy Laughlin enjoy the sounds
of the Willie Lynch Band at the
Local 68 Family Picnic.
Middle – Hey Spidey! Richard Beere,
age 5, and Shannon Beere, age 8,
partake in some face-painting.
Bottom – Hoop-dee-doo: Children
participate in the hula hoop contest.
ore than 1,500 Local 68 members
and their families attended the 26th
Annual Local 68 Family Picnic held
on Sunday, July 10, 2005 at the Black Bear Lake
Country Club in Millstone, N.J.
Plentiful sunshine, food, drinks and fun
activities greeted the attendees at the event.
Activities at the 35-acre club included three
Olympic-sized swimming pools, tennis
courts, mini-golf, rock climbing, fishing,
basketball, horseshoes, a water trampoline as well as rowboats, canoes, kayaks
and paddle boats; and coordinated
games and contests.
The day was marked by a visit from
U.S. Senator Jon Corzine, who is running for Governor of New
Jersey in the November 2005 election. Sen. Corzine greeted many of
the picnic guests and made remarks to all who attended.
“I am proud to support organizations, such as Local 68, that are
committed to job creation for our state,” said Sen. Corzine. He also
asked for the union members’ support in the upcoming election.
Throughout the day, music played and attendees enjoyed the
sounds of the Willie Lynch Band. “We were so excited to hear the
band. They played at our wedding!” said Sylvia Laughlin, whose
husband, Tom, works as a Lead Plumber at St. Barnabas.
“We look forward to the picnic every year. We enjoy socializing and seeing how much everyone’s children have grown,” added Laughlin. “It’s
nice to meet the people who my husband works with.”
Children enjoyed face-painting and temporary tattoos, and created
spin art while others enjoyed an enormous inflatable slide and
fun house.
Richard and Avril Beere’s children took advantage of the face
painting and temporary tattoos. Richard, age 5, transformed into
Spiderman, while Shannon, age 8, decided on a more low-key look with
a smiling puppy painted on her face.
Richard Beere Sr., a 20-year union member working at Newark
Refrigerated Warehouse, said that his family has attended the event for
many years. “We really enjoy the day. The kids love it,” said Beere.
A bottomless delicious barbeque buffet was served throughout the event
and funnel cakes, cotton candy and popcorn were available to munch.
Over the course of the event, contests included a lollipop hunt, basketball free-throw contest, potato sack race, hula hoops, bingo, water balloon
toss and tug-of-war.
“The picnic is a special day during the year when all Local 68 families
can come together and enjoy the nice weather and fun outdoor activities,”
said Thomas P. Giblin, Local 68 IUOE Business Manager.
9
Dennis J. Giblin and Thomas P. Giblin
share a moment with U.S. Senator
Jon Corzine, special guest at the
Local 68 Family Picnic.
Congratulations to the
Local 68 Raffle Winners!
Harley Davidson
Motorcycle Winner:
Jeffery Gunning
Laro Service Systems
Path Car Facilities
50/50 Raffle Winners:
1st Prize (25% of amount collected)
Frank Shaw
Pensioner
2nd Prize (15%)
John Banashefsky
ABM - Merrill Lynch, Hopewell
3rd Prize (10%)
Paul Kurtz
Bally's Park Place
Education
Quality of students applying
is getting better every year
Local 68 Names 2005 Scholarship Recipients
s the fourth child in the Lynch family to receive a Local 68 scholarship, Sheila Lynch accepted her award
with the well-articulated grace of the journalist she strives to become when she enters New York University
in September. Throughout her high school career, Sheila has excelled in school drama productions,
capturing the lead in “Grease”, and also was the anchor of her high school's television news show, “EHT TV” at Egg
Harbor Township High School.
“I am grateful to all Local 68 members who have contributed so that I can receive this scholarship,” said Sheila.
“This scholarship will help a lot,” said Sheila's mother, Marianne Lynch, who attended the dinner and scholarship awards presentation at Doolan’s in Spring Lake Heights on June 2, 2005. Sheila’s father, Joseph, who was also
in attendance, has been a Local 68 member since 1990 and is employed by Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, N.J.
With pride, Marianne and Joseph Lynch named their
other children who received Local 68 scholarships, Maura,
Eirin and Conor.
“This is one of the best nights the union has throughout
the year,” said Thomas P. Giblin, Local 68 IUOE Business
Manager. “Each year, the bar continues to be raised and we
are seeing more accomplished students applying for our
scholarships.”
One of the most noteworthy students receiving a scholarship was Michael P. Wells, who plans to major in Asian
Studies with a focus on Japanese when he attends Seton
Hall University this fall. Michael explained that Kearny
High School, where he attended, was one of only a handful
of high schools in the state to offer Japanese as a language
offering. In that class, Michael learned the fundamentals
of Japanese conversation, reading, writing, history and
culture. He also spent six weeks in Japan during the
summer of 2004 where he was a teacher's aide teaching
English to Japanese high school students.
“We are really proud of Michael; he has worked so hard
and been so dedicated to his studies,” said his mother,
Roseann Wells. “We encouraged him to take advantage of the opportunity to study in Japan. Not many
students have the chance.”
A
10
Helping Our Community
Local 68 Holds Two
Successful Blood Drives
ore than 75 percent of all Americans will need blood at some
Mpoint in their lifetimes. To address this need, in the Spring of
2005 Scholarship Recipients
2005, Local 68 held two very successful blood drives in conjunction
with the Blood Center of New Jersey: one in West Caldwell at the
union headquarters and another at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.
The West Caldwell blood drive had 84 registered blood donors
while the Atlantic City blood drive surpassed its goal and had 196
registered blood donors. Particular accolades go out
to the 31 first-time donors who attended the blood
drives this year. On a daily basis, there is always a
need for blood donations. Since individuals who are
healthy, over age 17 and weigh more than 110
pounds can donate blood every eight weeks,
you can visit www.bloodnj.org to find out
where to donate until the next Local 68 blood
drive comes around.
Congratulations to all the recipients and their families!
Name
College Attending
Major
Christina Belisle
Marymount College
Fashion Merchandising
Andrew V. Dougherty
Syracuse University
Sports Management
Jason A. Forster
Rowan University
Mechanical Engineering
Patrick Hurley
Philadelphia University
Architecture
Phillip R. Ince
NJ Institute of Technology
Mechanical Engineering
Jaclyn E. Kennek
Catholic University
World Politics
Sheila A. Lynch
New York University
Political Science and Journalism
Kris J. Mayer
The College of New Jersey
Mechanical Engineering
Dean J. Masters
Kean University
Business Administration
Joseph L. McCormick IV
Ithaca College
Television Production
Kelli O'Reilly
Marist College
Communications
Crystal D. Palmer
Rider University
Actuarial Science and Finance
Regina M. Roff
The University of Arts in Philadelphia
Katrina Sprague
Susquehanna University
Graphic Design and Biology
Michael P. Wells
Seton Hall University
Asian Studies, Japanese
Most Common Uses For Blood
Coronary artery bypass surgery
Other open heart surgery
Bleeding ulcer
Fractured hip/joint replacement
Brain surgery
Prostate cancer
Aneurysm
Auto accident - trauma
Organ transplant
Bone marrow transplant
Michael’s father, Richard, has been a Local 68 member since 1995 and
is employed by Sodexho Management Services at Colgate Palmolive in
Piscataway.
As the only female Local 68 member with a child receiving a scholarship, Stacey Diliberto expressed her true appreciation for the scholarship
award to her daughter, Christina Belisle.
“I always knew that Christina would apply for the Local 68
scholarship. I was teary-eyed and just so proud when we
received the phone call that she had won,” said Stacey
Diliberto. “It will help so much with the cost of college.”
Christina is the daughter of Stacey and Philip Diliberto;
Stacey has been a Local 68 member since 1990 and is employed
by the Newark Museum. Robert Masterson announced the
names of the 15 scholarship recipients at the June 2 union meeting. He pointed out that $1.3 million in scholarships have
been awarded since 1985 and that each scholarship recipient
“demonstrated proven leadership skills” and was chosen from
among a large pool of applicants.
Other scholarship recipients included: Andrew V. Dougherty,
Jason A. Forster, Patrick Hurley, Phillip R. Ince, Jaclyn E. Kennek,
Kris J. Mayer, Dean J. Masters, Joseph L. McCormick IV, Kelli
O'Reilly, Crystal D. Palmer, Regina M. Roff, and Katrina Sprague.
Local 68 IUOE President/Fund Administrator Dennis J. Giblin remarked
on the dedication of all of the parents attending the dinner, “It is truly a
result of your effort and upbringing of your children that the competition
for our scholarships has become so extraordinary. I commend you for the
importance you place on education.” He encouraged students to keep the
union members posted on their progress as they pursue their degrees and
enter the workforce.
1 - 5 pints
Up to 40 pints
3 - 20 pints
2 - 20 pints
4 - 20 pints
4 - 6 pints
6 -10 pints
Up to 50 or more pints
Up to 100 or more pints
1 - 2 units of red cells daily for 8 -10 weeks
6 - 8 units of platelets daily for 4 - 6 weeks
he first annual Local
T 68 Fluke Fishing Trip
was held under sunny skies
on August 6, 2005 aboard
the Miss Belmar Princess.
Eighty-seven Local 68
members attended the
outing, which left from
the Belmar Marina
and included breakfast
and lunch. “I commend Stephen
Skirka, who chaired the event, for his enormous amount of
work in making this fishing trip a huge success,” said Dennis J.
Giblin, Local 68 IUOE President/Fund Administrator.
Each attendee contributed $5 towards a fishing pool for the
largest catch of the day. The winner, William Kuntz, took home
$200 for his 10.7-pound fluke. Kuntz, a Local 68 pensioner, has
been a member of the local since 1957 and worked at Livingston
Mall. Proceeds from the fishing pool and $75 ticket price benefited
the Local 68 Scholarship Fund.
11
Education
Most problems can be solved
through counseling
Our Employee Assistance Program – A Benefit
Available to All Members
TROUBLES
or more than 25 years, the
birth of a child, and difficulty with
Local 68 Employee Assistance
parenting issues. The Local 68 EAP
Program (EAP) has been
is available for Local 68 members
supporting members and their
and those family members residing
families with mental illnesses,
in their immediate household.
marital problems, parenting prob“Members should feel comfortlems, gambling issues, and many
able calling us with any EAP
other serious issues. With the
question they might have,” said
retirement of long-time EAP
Razeghi. “Sometimes, the stress
Director Joan McElroy, the Local 68
caused by life changes, conflict or
EAP is now under the leadership of
trouble at home or work may make
Roxann Razeghi, LCSW, (servicing
it difficult for you to do your job or
Northern and Central New Jersey)
to be happy in other areas of your
and Victor Lopez, LSW, MSW,
life. When this happens, it is best to
LCADC, CCS (servicing Southern
seek some assistance.”
New Jersey and Atlantic City Area).
The Local 68 EAP office is now
“We want the members to know
located at 14 Fairfield Place, West
that we are here and available to
Caldwell, N.J. “The West Caldwell
assist with their problems,” said
EAP offices are totally separate
Razeghi, a licensed clinical social
from the Training Center and fund
worker.
offices,” explained Razeghi. The Atlantic City and Southern New Jersey
Razeghi received a bachelor of social work degree from Widener
EAP office is located at 4425 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, N.J.
University and a master in social work degree from Rutgers University.
In providing services, the Local 68 EAP holds in the highest regard the
Previously, she was the Director of Outpatient Services for Vantage
privacy of the individuals choosing to use the program. The counselorHealth System, Dumont, N.J., and Director of Behavioral Health, Horizon
member confidentiality is strictly adhered to and all communication is
Health Center, Jersey City, N.J. Currently, Razeghi is also a part-time
protected and handled in a courteous, professional and ethical matter. The
school social worker for Bayonne High School.
Local 68 EAP complies with all state and federal laws regarding confiLopez, who is bilingual, received a bachelor of psychology degree and
dentiality, including reporting requirements.
a master of social work degree from Rutgers University. He is a Licensed
“No one will know about your participation unless you tell them
Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor and a Licensed Social Worker. Most
yourself,” said Razeghi.
recently, Lopez worked as the Director
“We are proud of our commitment to
for United Progress Inc.’s Trenton
helping members across the state
Treatment Center and Transitional
with their psychological and emotional
Did you know?
Housing program.
problems. We encourage members to
“I am proud to welcome our two
seek treatment for their problems so
❦ Clinical depression is one of the most common mental
illnesses, affecting more than 19 million Americans each year.
new EAP clinicians. They are both
that they can remain as productive as
❦ One in every two marriages is troubled and ends in divorce.
highly qualified to address the many
possible in their work and family
❦ There are an estimated 400,000 compulsive gamblers in New
needs of our members,” said Dennis J.
lives,” said Dennis Giblin. The Local
Jersey alone.Their disease affects over 350,000 spouses and
Giblin, Local 68 IUOE President/Fund
68 EAP is funded through the Local
almost 700,000 children, as well as other family members,
Administrator.
68 Welfare Fund.
friends, co-workers and employers.
❦ More than 10 million adults and 3 million youth struggle
A wide range of issues are treated
Initial interviews and assessments
with alcoholism, a chronic, relapsing disorder.
under the Local 68 EAP, including
by Razeghi and Lopez are covered at
❦ An estimated 14.8 million Americans are current users
substance abuse, alcoholism, marital
no charge to members and their
(use within past 30 days) of illicit drugs such as sedativeissues, legal or financial worries,
immediate family members. Some
hypnotics or barbiturates, opiates, hallucinogens and stimulants.
depression, death in the family, retirecounseling services can be provided
ment, anxiety, compulsive gambling,
at the Local 68 EAP offices.
F
12
In Recognition
Keith Weicker Receives
Employee of Distinction Award
“Most problems can be taken care
of through short-term counseling,”
explained Razeghi.
If additional, more extensive services
are required, Razeghi and Lopez
will refer the member to other clinical service providers and remain
in contact with the member to coordinate services. These additional
services are covered under the
member’s health benefits plan.
There are three common ways
that members access services:
1. Self-referral permits any
union member or family member to
call the EAP offices directly for
services.
2. Union referral encourages
shop stewards, chief engineers,
business agents or fellow members
to direct troubled members to
seek assistance from the EAP.
3. Management referral urges
employers to suggest that a member
seek the services of the EAP if
there is a continuing problem with
work performance or job attendance;
however, the final decision to seek
help belongs to the member.
Thank you JOAN McELROY
n celebration of National County Government Week in
mid-April, Local 68 member Keith Weicker was chosen
from among more than 3,000 Hudson County employees
to receive an Employee of Distinction Award for his dedication and service to the county. Weicker, a Stationary
Engineer with the Hudson County Public Safety Building,
was nominated to receive the award by Hudson County
Freeholder Barry Dugan.
“It was an honor to receive such a prestigious award,” said
Weicker.
Weicker, a Local 68 member since 1991, has been employed
at the Hudson County Public Safety Building for 10 years. Prior
to that, he worked at the Hudson County Administration
Building.
Awards were presented to 11 county employees by the
Board of Chosen Freeholders of Hudson County at the April
Freeholders’ meeting.
I
Director of the Local
68 Employee
Assistance
Program
retired on
May 1, 2005.
For many years of service
EAP Services
are available by
appointment.
To access services or
for more information,
call 973-227-6426,
ext. 214.
In Atlantic City,
call 609-347-3208.
Operating Engineer license
plates are available from
Local 68 IUOE and the
Add an Operating Engineer
New Jersey Motor Vehicle
License Plate to Your Car
Commission. The fee
for the plates is $25.
Commercial vehicles are
not eligible for Operating Engineer plates. Your eligibility to receive the
license plates is based upon a review of your driving record by
the Motor Vehicle Commission.
Above: Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise, second
from left, presents Employee of Distinction Award to Local
68 Member Keith Weicker during the celebration of County
Government Week.
Pictured from left, Hudson County Freeholder
Chairman Silverio A.Vega, DeGise,Weicker, and
Freeholder Barry Dugan.
For an application,
contact Kevin Frey at (973) 244-5814 or kfrey@iuoe-68.org.
13
Site Spotlight
Located on the redeveloped Camden Waterfront,Adventure
Aquarium is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 365 days per year.
For more information, visit www.AdventureAquarium.com.
The largest exhibits are a 760,000-gallon ocean tank, which is home to
tuna, cownose stingrays, and sea turtles, and a 550,000 gallon Shark
Realm exhibit. One of the most unique exhibits for Adventure Aquarium
is the West African River Experience; showcasing two 3,000-pound
hippopotamuses amongst 60 free-flying birds, two African Crested
Porcupines and about 800 African Cichlid fish.
The Local 68 staff is responsible for mixing the salt water contained
in most of the exhibits - about 45,000 gallons per week-- and working
with the aquarium's Husbandry Department and Water Quality Lab to
ensure that all water chemistry parameters are correct. The Local 68
staff also monitors the water temperature in each exhibit through a
system of 27 different heat exchanges.
The exhibit water must also be filtered, which is a tremendous effort
for one of the world's only indoor hippo exhibits with underwater viewing. Each of the two hippos produces 120 pounds of waste per day, making the filtering for the water a difficult challenge for Local 68 members.
Under Seymour's direction, Local 68 engineers work with other building trade unions to perform building maintenance and operations for
Adventure Aquarium, including the heating and cooling, carpentry,
electrical and plumbing. Currently, Seymour is close to completing his
bachelor's degree in engineering from Thomas Edison State College.
“Don's leadership and knowledge is a vital asset to the operations
of Adventure Aquarium. Our guests rely on his ability to effectively
anticipate and respond to any issues that arise,” said Bob Falkenstein,
Operations Director, Johnson Controls, Inc.
A Local 68 Site Where You Can Literally
Swim with the Sharks
here aren't too many places in the world, let alone New Jersey,
where you can actually swim safely with sharks. But in fact, Local
68 member Donald B. Seymour's work site - the newly opened
Adventure Aquarium in Camden, N.J. -- is a place where you can.
Aquarium guests, ages 12 and up, can pay $115 for the chance to spend
45 to 50 minutes snorkeling along the perimeter of the facility's shark
tank under the guidance of a professional shark expert. This includes
admission to Adventure Aquarium, and take-away gifts that include a
T-shirt, photo and guests can keep the mask and snorkel; not to mention
memories of a lifetime. The 550,000 gallon, two-story shark exhibit,
which houses 29 sharks and 850 animals, is just one of the many exhibits
that Seymour, who is the site's chief engineer, and a staff of five Local
68 operating engineers maintain.
Adventure Aquarium recently opened in May 2005 after a $40 million
expansion and $5 million dollar renovation. Seymour, who has been a
Local 68 member since 1976, was very involved in the final phases of
construction during the renovations.
“We are proud of our members' contributions in helping to make
Adventure Aquarium an enormous success for the Camden Waterfront,”said
Pat Gilrane, Local 68 IUOE Business Representative.
Previously, the aquarium focused on New Jersey's local marine biology
and had an educational feel. Now, under the leadership of Greg
Charbeneau, Executive Director of Adventure Aquarium, the focus has
become much more entertainment-based. Johnson Controls Inc., which
employs the Local 68 members at the site and other building trade
employees, along with Steiner Entertainment, have contributed to this
transformation of the facility.
“The aquarium has transformed its exhibits into dynamic, immersive
and engaging experiences, along with the creation of a brand-new
visitor experience program,” said Seymour. “There is also an ‘accidental
learning’ component to the facility. Guests don't realize how much they
are learning because they are having so much fun.”
Some of the exhibits include creatures,
such as the Giant Pacific Octopus,
African penguins, barracuda,
South American fish and
ducks, seals, and of
course, sharks.
T
Right: : Bob Falkenstein, Operations
Director, Johnson Controls, Inc.; Donald
Seymour, Local 68 Chief Engineer;
and Pat Gilrane, Local 68 IUOE Business
Representative, take in the views along
the Camden Waterfront outside of
Adventure Aquarium.
Below: Donald Seymour (left) and
Bob Fox (right) check on
the Aquarium's exhibit
equipment.
Local 68 IUOE members at Adventure Aquarium:
Bob Czerwinski, Bob Fox, John Johnson
Rich Minter, Pete Sanchez, Donald Seymour (Chief Engineer)
14
BOMA + TOBY = Local 68 IUOE
he Local 68 IUOE site at Harborside Financial Center, Plaza 5, has
been named one of the best managed buildings by the Building
Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of New Jersey. The
Building of the Year Award (TOBY) was presented on Wednesday, June 15,
2005 at the annual TOBY Award Ceremony held at the Meadowlands
Racetrack, East Rutherford, N.J.
“It is an enormous honor for one of our sites to be recognized with the
coveted BOMA New Jersey Building of the Year Award,” said Thomas P.
Giblin, Local 68 IUOE Business Manager.
Plaza 5, which opened in 2002 and won in the 500,000 to 1 million sq. ft.
category, is owned/managed by Mack-Cali Realty Corp. and maintained by
the Local 68 IUOE members under a contract with Larkin Service Corp.
“We are delighted that Plaza 5 has been recognized with this award. The
Local 68 engineers do a great job in maintaining this building and were a
key reason that we won the award,” said Brian McClean, Property
Manager for Plaza 5, Mack-Cali Realty Corp.
Each year, building nominees are judged by a local panel, undergo a
building walk-through, and must meet a comprehensive set of specs.
Harborside Financial Center Plaza 5
Wins Prestigious 2005 BOMA New
Jersey Office Building of the Year Award
T
Above: From left to right, Craig Cummings, Fred Harrison, Bob Masterson Local 68 IUOE Business Representative, Mike Daly, Dennis J. Giblin, John LarkinPresident, Larkin Service Corp.,Thomas P. Giblin, Brian McClean - Property
Manager, Mack-Cali Realty Corp.,Walter Blazejowsky, Patrick Linn, Hamiraj
Somwaru and Rich Giordano. Center: Mike Daly (above) and Patrick Linn
(below) work on the building equipment. Bottom: Rich Giordano (left) keeps
tabs on the Plaza 5 computer system while Hamiraj Somwaru (right) checks
the gauge readings.
“The judges reviewed a wide range of materials, including our operating
budget, policies and procedures manuals, building plans, emergency
preparedness manual, and other procedures,” explained Mike Daly, Local
68 IUOE Chief Engineer at Plaza 5.
The TOBY winner is judged not only on physical appearance but also on
community impact, tenant/employee relationship, systems/programs to conserve energy, maintenance, fire/life safety programs, and ongoing training.
“Our Local 68 engineers took great pride in preparing the building for
the site visit. The penthouse mechanical room has been color-coded for
easy identification. Now, the blue pipes are for electrical, yellow for diesel
fuel and red for fire,” said Daly, who has been a Local 68 member since
1989. In addition to the color-coded pipe system, Daly explained another
unique feature of the building's maintenance monitoring system, which is
completely computerized.
“Plaza 5 was already under construction on Sept. 11, 2001. Since that
time and due to the building's proximity to New York City, an 'emergency
shutdown link' was integrated into the maintenance control system.
If needed, in the event of terrorist or biological threat, this link can immediately shutdown all air circulation in the building, keeping outside
contaminates from getting in or likewise, keeping contaminants inside
from spreading further,” said Daly.
Plaza 5 will now compete for the “Best in the Region” Award against
other award-winning buildings from BOMA chapters throughout the
Northeastern United States.
“The engineers at Plaza 5 have established a great working relationship
between Local 68 and the management of the building. In this regard, they
have become a model for other Local 68 sites. I truly believe that this is
one of the main reasons they won this award,” said Dennis J. Giblin, Local
68 IUOE President/Fund Administrator.
Current Plaza 5 Engineering Staff: Walter Blazejowsky, Craig Cummings, Mike Daly (Chief Engineer), Rich Giordano, Fred Harrison, Patrick Linn,
Rich Smith (past member), Ed Spaanstra, Hamiraj Somwaru
15
Our Retirees
Long standing committment to
Local 68 was gratefully honored
50-Year Members Honored
50
n an event the first of its kind, more than 50 Local 68 members – with
at least 2,500 years of service among them – were recently honored at
a 50-Year Member Ceremony held on May 5, 2005 during the union
meeting at Holy Cross Church in Harrison, N.J.
“We are proud of the long-standing commitment to Local 68 these members share,” said Thomas P. Giblin, Local 68 IUOE Business Manager. “We
felt it was important to hold a special event to show our true appreciation
to our 50-year members.”
I
Bottom row from left to right:
David Nelson, Gerard Keogh,
Francis James, James Ferguson,
Thomas Keane,William E. Howard.
Middle row from left to right:
Rudolph Hauke, John Misko,
Norman Woskey, George Zulin,
Gerard Beckmann.
Top row from left to right:
Thomas Kaylor,Victor Gendek,
Frank Scozzafava,Victor Roth,
Eugene Palensar, John Mercante.
16
50-Year
Local 68 Members
(Includes those who attended the
50-Year Member Ceremony as well as
those who were not able to attend):
Stanley Azevedo
Gerard Beckmann
Walter Bernadyn
Henry Bogdanski
Milton Burden
Carl Butterfield
Rodger Coffey
Anthony Cwiakala
Frank Dolen
Thomas Dowd
Adam Dziama
James Ferguson
Victor Gendek
David Goldstein
Antonio Goncalves
John Hamberger
Rudolph Hauke
Fred Hoefel
James Houston
William E. Howard
Francis James
Weldon Kane
Thomas Kaylor
Thomas Keane
Gerard Keogh
William Kornas
Joseph Lanno
Walter Lutinski
Frank Mannix
Fredrick Mai
John McSeveney
Anderson Meador
Henry Mehren
Adolph Mezynski
Rudolph Misha
John Misko
John Mercante
John Mooney
David Nelson
Perry Nelson
John O’Donnell
Eugene Palensar
Richard Plunkett
Victor Roth
Walter Schweikardt
Frank Scozzafava
Louis Sherman
Frederick Vandegrift
Bartholomew Volpe
Richard Wallace
Walter Withka
Emil Witowsky
Norman Woskey
Thomas York
Andrew Zabala
George Zulin
It is important to take
time and remember
Engineers' Sunday Honors
Members of Local 68
Retirees Spend Day at the Shore
Catching Up While Learning a
Thing or Two
he Jersey Shore was the
setting for the Local 68
2005 Retirees' Day. With 85
retirees and their spouses in
attendance at Doolan's Restaurant
in Spring Lake Heights, N.J., the
event provided an opportunity to
catch up with friends and hear from
several informative speakers
throughout the day's events.
Retirees’ Day kicked off with three morning speakers: Betty
Bullivant, Field Representative from Social Security; a representative
from Smith Barney Citigroup; and Lorraine Kenney Spiotta, Certified
Long Term Insurance Strategist.
Of note, Spiotta spoke to attendees about the importance of longterm care insurance. “Most people don't think about long-term care
insurance until it is too late,” said Spiotta, a married mother of two
children. “When you get ill or assume cooking, cleaning and health
care duties for an elderly relative, bills begin mounting and stress is
exacerbated. My single most important message is by planning now
when you are healthy, you can prevent your financial savings from
being erased due to high health care expenses.”
Spiotta pointed out that most companies will write long-term care
policies until age 81 or 85. However, some pre-existing conditions could
exempt a person from coverage so it is best to investigate and
purchase policies while you are still in good health.
Attendees at Retirees’ Day enjoyed a lunch and then heard from
two more speakers: a Physical Therapist as well as Gina Sine,
Supervising Analyst, and Jeannie Cirignano, Driving Analyst, both
from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle
Commission. Sine and Cirignano
offered driving tips for seniors and
available courses that can lower
car insurance premiums.
Among the attendees were Frank
James and his wife, Carol (at right).
James was an active member of
Local 68 for nearly five decades,
most recently as the Training
Director at the union's headquarters.
Previously, he held other positions, including Chief Engineer at
Abraham and Strauss Department Store at Woodbridge Center Mall.
“Retirees' Day is a great opportunity for us to socialize with our
friends and hear from the speakers,” said James. “We attend every
year for the great information.”
James resides in Carteret, N.J. and spends winters in West Palm
Beach, Fla. He and his wife will be celebrating their 50th wedding
anniversary this fall. James' son, Frank James Jr. is an active member
of Local 68 working at the 550 and 570 Broad Street locations in
Newark, N.J. James Jr. is also a trustee of the Local 68 Annuity Fund.
he 44th Annual Engineers'
Sunday ecumenical mass
and breakfast were held
on April 3 at Mayfair Farms,
West Orange, N.J. The celebrant
for the event was Reverend
Monsignor John J. Gilchrist,
Spiritual Director, Local 68. In all,
48 Local 68 members who have died
T
T
since April 2004 were remembered in
particular at the service.
“We are proud that we continue
to remember those members of the
union who are no longer with us,”
said Thomas P. Giblin, Local 68
IUOE Business Manager and
Honorary Chairman of the event.
“It is important to take time each
year to remember the enormous contributions these members made to our
union through their years of service.”
The guest speaker for this
year’s event was U.S. Congressman
Frank Pallone (bottom right), who
represents the 6th District in the
House of Representatives. The 6th
District of New Jersey covers most of
Middlesex County and a good
portion of Monmouth County,
including the Bayshore and 16
communities on the Atlantic Ocean.
It also encompasses small portions
of Somerset and Union counties.
Rep. Pallone is a senior member
of the House Committee on Energy
and Commerce. He has sponsored
legislation to stop ocean dumping,
oil drilling and provide beach
restoration in New Jersey. He also
champions efforts to create new job
opportunities for the region.
17
Center group photo from left to right::
John Radcliffe, Local 68 Business
Representative, Pat Gilrane, Local 68
Business Representative, Jim Beirne,
Local 68 Business Representative,
Dennis J. Giblin, Local 68 President
and Fund Administrator,
Congressman Frank Pallone,
Thomas P. Giblin, Local 68 Business
Manager, Sal Costanza, Local 68
Business Representative, Ed Boylan,
Local 68 Business Representative,
Mike Gann, Local 68 Business
Representative, Bob Masterson,
Local 68 Business Representative,
and Joe Donnelly, Local 68 Business
Representative.
In Atlantic City
Local 68 Training
Center to Open in
Atlantic City Area
Julia Burke Wins Caesars'
Employee of the Year Award
n August 2005, Dennis J. Giblin,
ith two small daughters,
W
Inayah, age 9, and Maliha,
age 7, Stephanie Davies knows the
I Local 68 IUOE President/Fund
Administrator announced official
plans to open an Atlantic City site
of the Local 68
Training Center.
Giblin also
announced that
Kevin Clark (left)
has been hired as
the Training Coordinator for the
new Local 68 Atlantic City Training
Center. Previously, Clark had been
the Shop Steward for 18 years at
Resorts Casino in Atlantic City.
“We are excited that our members
in the Atlantic City area will have
access to a state-of-the-art training
facility in order to expand and
update their skills,” said Dennis
Giblin. “It is so important for each
and every member to focus on
education. It is the only way
Local 68 will continue to be the
best choice for our employers in
the Atlantic City area.”
The Atlantic City Training
Center, located in the American
Red Cross building at the corner
of N. Franklin Boulevard and
East Delilah Road in Pleasantville,
N.J., is currently under construction
and is expected to open later in
the fall.
Davies Becoming a
Role Model for Young
Minority Women
BIG BUCKS - Julia Burke, center, is presented with a check for $5,000
from Caesars as she wins the Employee of the Year award.
Also pictured on left, Paul Henderson, President, Caesars, and on right,
Pat McKoy, Executive Vice President of Operations, Caesars.
Of the 4,000 employees who work for Caesars in Atlantic
City, Local 68 member Julia Burke recently was one of
eight employees selected to receive the Employee of the
Year Award.
"It has been a wonderful experience working at Caesars
as a member of Local 68," said Burke."I am thrilled to have
won the award."
A nine-year Local 68 member, Burke does video production work for the Caesars Entertainment division of the
casino where she produces training videos for employees,
often using actual employees as the stars of the videos.
Through the company's training department, Burke has
also taught sign language and digital photography classes.
Each month, Caesars presents eight Employee of the
Month awards. The eight Employees of the Year are
selected from among the year's Employees of the Month.
Tom Seeger Honored as Employee of the Year at Bally’s Atlantic City
Local 68 member Thomas W. Seeger received the Employee of the Year Award and a check for $5,000
from Bally’s Atlantic City, where he is a Facilities Lead Mechanic in the Claridge Tower. Seeger has
been in the Lead Mechanic position since April 1986. Since then and on his own time, he has established
a preventative maintenance program for the building’s ventilation systems, which has produced energy
cost savings over the years.
“He is knowledgeable, reliable and always courteous to guests and co-workers. Tom always gives 150
percent with a smile to go along. We are proud to have him as our employee of the year,” said Harry
McIntyre, Seeger’s supervisor.
Seeger received nominations from previous supervisors at the Claridge in 1981 and 1983. In 1990, he was
the recipient of the first departmental award for exemplary service.
18
importance of setting a good example.
However, not only is Davies setting a
good example for her own daughters,
she is becoming a leader in her
community in advocating for the
future career options of young
minority females in Atlantic City and
other surrounding areas. In the fall
of 2004, Davies, a 10-year member of
Local 68, was elected to the Atlantic
City Board of Education and is
already using that position to develop
pre-apprenticeship programs in
plumbing, electrical, and HVAC for
the Atlantic City School District
targeted to parents and students.
“I believe that every student
should have as many options as
possible as they explore their future
careers, especially the females,” said
Davies, who is enrolled in the Local
68 apprentice training program and
works at Bally’s in Atlantic City.
“Often, the schools in the Atlantic
City area focus only on college-prep
or a career in the casinos. I want to
show students and their parents that
there are other choices.”
Davies, along with other
co-workers, was recently invited
by the N.J. Department of Law and
Public Safety to participate in a
“Women in Trades Day” at the
Valentine Residential Community
Home, which is a halfway house
facility for about 200 females juveniles
located in Bordentown, N.J. Davies
shared her experiences in her career
and offered encouragement to these
young women.
“I think it is important for minority
girls to see that there are women
who look like them working in nontraditional careers, such as the
trades,” said Davies. “These young
women need to see that education is
important and that there is a future
waiting for them.”
Organizing a Site
For more information on organizing a site:
North Jersey – Joe Donnelly @ 973-244-5809
South Jersey – Pat Gilrane @ 609-347-3204
Dear Fellow Local 68
Members:
I have been at this
facility [Optech Mone
t] for nine years, ha
third. Fort Dix is an
ving gone through
army facility and we
two employers and
operate the waste-w
So why did we organ
now on my
ater treatment plant
ize?
for the government.
Let's start with healt
h benefits. Without
Loca
We had to pay for ou
r wives/families. With l 68, we had hit or miss coverage, de
mid-west that no on
pe
e in New Jersey ever my last employer, the coverage was roc nding on the employer.
k bottom, some ou
heard of. I paid throu
The worst part was
tfit out of the
gh the nose for a ma
that we were at the
jor illness.
mercy of our emplo
us. No say in the pla
yer.
n.
was no guarantee of And we did have major changes. None No say in coverage. No say in the co
sts passed to
anything. In short: Th
of
ere was no one going which were to the advantage of the wo
NOW: We have Blu
rker. There
e Cross/Shield, Rx,
to bat for us if we ha
Eyeglass coverage,
plans and not one
d a problem.
cent comes out of my
Dental coverage, a
death benefit, Pens
pocket. The compan
union has a staff to
ion an
y pays for it all. Shou
take care of the pro
blem. I can tell you
ld we have a proble d Annuity
Without the union,
tha
m, the
t it works for me.
an employer need on
Act, which is determi
ly secure coverage
req
ne
Since the amount se d by a fixed dollar amount set by the wa uired by the government for the Service
t was on the low sid
Contract
e, so was the coverag ge determination guide of the SCA.
With our union, we
e secured.
have negotiated rat
es set by our contrac
renegotiated at every
t, not subject to arb
contr
itrary change, and
Result: Real-world co act renewal.
the rates are
no surprises, and we verage, a business representative to ba
ck us up, a known
now have peace of
health plan, no cost
mind.
How about hourly pa
to us,
y?
Without the union,
we were under the
government wage de
unless the governm
ent
termination guide. Th
at meant no raise in
company would ha raised the prevailing rates for our region
ve reduced our rate
pay
of pay on a take-it-o of the state. And should that wage rat
resulted in a pay de
e drop, the
r-leave-it basis. A ne
crease because the
w
em
go
plo
ve
My current employe
rnm
yer need only pay the
r
wage at the wage de ent contract would have
period of three years actually told us not to expect any raise
termination rates.
. Why, you ask? Be
s for the duration of
cause none had be
its first service contr
With Local 68, we
en
act,
included in the bid
have a negotiated rat
to win back the contr a
government. A new
e of pay, yearly inc
act.
employer cannot red
reases set by our co
ntract with the comp
uce our pay but is loc
Rates of pay, annuity,
an
ke
y, not the
d
int
pe
o
ns
the
ion
,
co
em
ntr
ployee training all se
act.
increases that we ca
t and controlled by
n depend on. There
the union contract alo
are a host of other
ANY UNION, BUT the
ng with annual
reasons why going
INTERNATIONAL UN
union is the way to
● Job protec
ION OF OPERATING
go
tion for one. A new
. NOT JUST
EN
GI
NE
ER
S LOCAL 68!
employe
targeted, you have
a grievance procedu r cannot fire you because your hourly
rat
re in place that the
● The basic
work week is defined
company must follow e is too high. If you are unfairly
and no
.
time are all defined
. Emergency calls an t subject to arbitrary change. Overtim
e, ho
d call back rates are
company. If you are
defined. Uniforms are liday pay, vacation and sick
asked to do unsa
● Should yo
provided and clean
u be terminated, it mu fe work, you can refuse without fear of
ed by the
termination.
st be for just cause
opportunity to corre
and a paper trail is
ct a problem and tha
required. You must
t problem must be
● One of the
be given an
best reasons to have
a good union backing communicated to you.
Local 68 is one ph
you? It levels the pla
one call away. Our
ying field
business representat
around a work site
ive is onsite on a reg between you and the company.
and
ula
excellent contract. An has proven he can be counted on. Th
e union has backed r basis. He knows his way
d because of our co
us 100 percent. We
llaboration, we are
has and continues
viewed as professio
have an
to make a difference
nals and treated as
.
I have been working
su
ch
. The union
in
thi
s
field for over 40 years
union man all the wa
, with and without un
y.
ion
rep
resentation. For my
The bottom line is tha
money, I am a
t my union has ma
stabilized my incom
de a significant impro
e and benefits and
ve
me
nt
in
my
wo
added a measure of
rking environment.
the members of Loca
It has
security for the future
l 68 as well!
, not only for myself,
but for all of
From Carlo Capista
Optech Monet - Fort
Dix, New Jersey
Member, Local 68
IUOE
19
L
6
8
0
5
C
A
L
E
N
D
A
R
OCTOBER
10/6 – Thu
rs
Union Meeday
ting
6:30
PM
Wayne Ma
nor, 1515
BER
SEPTEM
y
rsda
9/8 – Thu
eting
Union Me
10/26 & 2
7 - Wedne
ey
North Jers
zabeth
ng St, Eli
South Spri
0
1
1
,
5:00 PM
n
to
irport Hil
remony
Newark A
ember Ce
M
r
a
e
Y
35
6:30 PM
onday
9/19 – M
g
Golf OutiFnield Golf Course
s
Hendrick
s System
unty Park
Essex Co
d dinner.
of golf an
y
a
d
s
Belleville
e
d
.00, inclu
Cost $150
am
on: 10:30
Registrati
:00 am
Lunch: 11
pm
tart: 12:00
S
n
u
Shotg
m
p
our: 5:30
pm
Cocktail H
0
:3
6
Dinner:
,
Banquet
rk
a
P
e
's in th
il
at Nanina
v
e le
treet, Bell
ilable for
540 Mill S
will be ava
e
nquet.
of tick ts
d the Ba
number
g to atten
A limited
olf wishin
g
g
n
yi
la
p
those not
esday
edn
9/21 – W
Route 23, W
ity
Atlantic C
eting
Union Mned 4:15 PM
1:30 PM a
the Taj
Room at
Emerald
turday
9/24 – Sa
:30 AM
le Rally
Motorcyacntic City Rest Area at 9
tl
Leaves A
ayne
sday & Th
Northern N
urs
e
w
Je
rsey Plantday
and Facilitie
s
Maintenan Engineering
9:00 AM - 3
ce Show
:00 PM Con
ferences
10:00
AM - 3 :00
PM Exhibit
www.prosh
s
ows.com/n
njp
or call 800
-827-800
9 for info a
Pre-registe
nd confere
r for free ad
nce schedu
mission.
Questions
le.
email: jdon
nelly@iuoe
-68.org
NOVEMBE
R
1
1/3 – Thurs
Union Meeday
ting
6:30
PM
Ramada In
n, 375 West
11/21 - M
Passaic St,
onday
West Caldw
Rochelle P
ark
ell Blood D
9:00 AM - 8
rive
:00 PM
Local 68 Tr
aining Cen
ter, 14 Fair
field Place,
West Caldw
ell
DECEMBE
R
12/1 – Thu
rs
Union Meeday
ting
6:30
PM
Mayfair Fa
rms, 481 E
agle Rock
includes H
Avenue, W
oliday Rece
est Orange
ption
12/7 – We
dnesday
Un
ion Meeti
ng Atlantic City
1:30 PM an
d 4:15 PM
Tiara Ballro
om at the Ta
j
Non-Profit Organization
US Postage
PAID
West Caldwell, NJ
Permit No. 052
Published by Local 68
IUOE Education Fund
Dennis J. Giblin
Local 68 President / Fund Administrator
14 Fairfield Place
West Caldwell, NJ 07006