09/09-78 Union Meeting

09/11-UPPA

09/20-County Federation of Lab

09/21-JATC Apprenticeship Comm

 [Calendar] [More..]

Health/Medical Claim Form

Voter Registration

UA 78 Member Services

Manager: Gary Cook

Agent: Douglas Marian

Agent: Ron Miller

Organizer: Doug Wilson

FALL REPORT

Category: Business Manager: Gary Cook

The days are starting to get shorter and the kids are going back to school.

This is the first year our Local Union has done fund raising for our apprenticeship. We put together a Poker Run, Softball Tournament and a Golf Tournament. All three events gave us the chance to see older members, newer members and a few of our brothers and sisters from others locals. A good time was had by all! I would like to take this time to thank Brothers Doug Marian, Ron Miller, Doug Wilson & Kent Plavala. Also, it would not have been possible without all of the donations and sponsorships from all our friends.

On behalf of the membership of our local, I would like to say congratulations to George Piworski and Randy Petitt for graduating from the UA Instructors Program on August 12, 2010. This was five years of hard work and devotion for the betterment of our next generation of plumbers.

I know we are all tired of hearing about elections. It seems like there is one right after another, but we have an opportunity to move forward. We have moved a small bit forward and great deal backward on the state election cycle this year. This election, the unions have been targeted as thugs and special interest groups. Our interest is to set the best condition in the market for our contractors to get projects so our members can get work on these projects.

In San Diego an Anti-PLA movement has begun and is being put together by non-union organizations and the Carpenters union. On our website, I have placed (Tab Documents / Forms,) a document called PLA Activity in California that lists all the Project Labor Agreements in our State. Getting our membership registered to vote is an important part of this process. If you are not registered there is a link on our website where you can print the voter registration form.

In the short term, work has started to pick up just a little and in the long term, it looks like we are starting to make headway. There is still discussion on AEG putting a football stadium downtown as part of LA Live. This would help drive all types of development throughout the downtown area for years.

The UA Green System Awareness course provides UA members explanations, open discussions about the green movement and basic principles each member should know to understand what would be the most effective energy-saving measures for a variety of building structures. Members who are able to help develop a comprehensive and realistic plan for reducing home energy can only be a better value to our contractors and their end users. Upcoming classes at Compton Training Center: UA Green Systems Awareness - Sept. 11, 12 & 18, 2010 and Colton: OSHA 30 - Sept. 11, 12 & 18, 2010. LA Structural Steel begin Sept. 11, 2010, Backflow begins Sept, 25, 2010. Upcoming for October, Plumber Certification, Fitter Certification, Industrial Rigging and Green Awareness. Dates to be announced but members may sign up online for next available class.

I read a report on our economy and its recovery. I found it to be enlightening and I have placed it on our website under Tab Documents / Forms. I have included a PDF document, Policy Burdens Inhibiting Economic Growth, reported by the Business Table and the Business Council.

As many of you may know, on September 30th Angie Guzman will be retiring. She will be greatly missed; Angie has worked for Local 78 for the best part of twenty years and most of the time in the Apprenticeship Office. We wish Angie all of our best; and to enjoy good health in her retirement for many years.

FALL REPORT

Category: Business Agent: Douglas Marian

Were heading into the fall season and work is still somewhat stagnant though there are several jobs in the early phases and will be hiring in the near future. Some of these jobs are the YWCA, Harbor UCLA Med. Center, High School #9, High School #12, High School #15 along with some Middle and Elementary Schools. The Grand Ave Project is slowly moving forward, starting it off is a project called The Great Park that should be starting soon. Also a new Museum near the Disney Concert Hall is slated to start construction in October. The museum is a $100 million project that should be covered under the CRA Project Labor Agreement and is projected to be completed in late 2012. The Concerto Project, a multi story mixed-use condominium project (phase 2) has been delayed by the FDIC and Starwood Capital Group, a public-private partnership. The FDIC took over Corus Bank and sold its portfolio including the loan on Concerto to Starwood, jeopardizing the building of the 2nd tower. The Building Trades and the City of Los Angeles are taking this fight to Washington in efforts to complete this project. Other up and coming projects are Torrance Memorial and MLK hospital. Torrance Memorial has started but may not be hiring until near the end of the year. Apprenticeship: We still have too many apprentices unemployed, with the apprenticeship ratio we have per our MLA and Apprenticeship Standards more apprentices could be working. The list has moved but mostly due to the graduates moving to the journeyman list. The fundraisers were a great success, everyone seemed to have a good time. Many thanks go out to the Sponsors and Volunteers that made it all possible. Thank you again. We have a graduation this year for the classes of 2009 & 2010 scheduled for September 19. For those apprentices/journeymen that have not responded to the invitation please call the office immediately to participate in the festivities. The classes for night school started August 16th, if you havent attended class and should be, please call the office for your schedule. I am looking for apprentices interested in competing in next years apprentice contest, please call the office if you are interested. Congratulations graduates. LAUSD, District employees (Unit E): The good news most of you know by now is the swing shift has been canceled. For anyone that wanted the swing shift, I do believe the district intends on having a swing shift on a volunteer basis that will include differential and a possibility for overtime. Unit E has not suffered the layoffs that other units have endured mostly to the creation of a third Projects Unit. However the district didnt get the needed volunteers to transfer to these units, leaving them with making involuntary transfers. The projects units are mostly bond funded and said employees are paid from those bond funds, relieving the general fund and avoiding layoffs. If you are involuntarily transferred and know you have more seniority than another plumber in the same area and classification, you may file a grievance however please question your seniority with your supervisor prior and note that employee numbers are not a reflection of seniority. Grievances need to be filed timely and filled out properly so please fax a copy to me for review prior to submitting it to the district. Lastly, if you are using your personal vehicle to haul tools and materials you are entitled to the flat rate vehicle allowance and mileage, if this has been taken from you, and your check stub reflects this we shall file a grievance. This is a clear violation of our Unit E agreement. Note it would behoove you to keep a copy of your daily log to show the materials and tools needed to complete your daily projects. If you have questions please call. LA City employees under MOU 2 & MOU 13: Well we go from one extreme to another, the Mayor wants more layoffs, another 1000 layoffs plus added furlough days. I mailed some literature along with a waiver for the group grievance that will be filed by the coalition. To be included in the grievance and most likely, lawsuit, the waiver needed to be signed and return to the office. The grievance is based on the legalities of the furlough given our MOU and City Charter. The coalition is very proactive with regards to our contractual obligation to try and avert the budget shortfalls. Though the City seems to be a little short sided and feels the only way is to layoff, furlough and cut wages. The coalition has rendered many ideas and solutions that are rejected almost before theyre heard, mostly because they dont align with the Mayors true agenda to privatize. There have been layoffs of coalition members, this violates our MOU/LOA and triggers the following changes. Pursuant to the LOA (Oct. 2009) salary adjustments are advanced by one year. July 1, 2010 you should of received a 3% COLA, with the next increase due January 1, 2011, a 2.75% step increase. Please note the 1.75% cash bonuses are eliminated. Other than the salary schedule the MOU/LOA remains intact. Annual Sick Leave Payout in excess of 800 hours that meet all requirements shall be compensated at 50% the employees salary rate in effect as of Dec. 31, 2009, with payment made to the employee during the 2010-11 fiscal year. As we are now in 2010-11 fiscal year they have until June 30, 2011 to make that payment. If you are working with agency-fee payers please inform them of the waivers that need to be signed, I dont have contact information for these individuals, as they are affected as you are. If you have information or questions please call the office.

FALL REPORT

Category: Business Agent: Ron Miller

We didnt have much of a summer and the work picture remains the same as it has been SLOW. The LAUSD school work is still continuing and Los Angeles Community College work will be picking up with a lot of work to be starting next year.

I attended a job presentation on the Wilshire Grand Hotel. There are plans to demolish it starting the end of next year with construction starting in 2012 to build a 65-story office building and a 45-story hotel with a 6 story podium. This is a 1.2 billion dollar job. The process to get it through the City is just starting with the City Council supporting it. If you live in the City please write your Council person and ask for his support.

While meeting with Thomas properties concerning the Wilshire Grand, I had the opportunity to ask them about the Universal City Building to be built across the street from Universal Studios. The answer was that the project is going through redesign but it is still in the works. The LA/OC Building and Construction Trades Council have commitments from the developer to build both projects under a Project Labor Agreement (PLA). This will equate into a lot of jobs for our members when they get started.

The Emerson Trade College project should be approved by the City in the next few weeks, with construction to begin early next year. It will be a 10-story mixed-use building with subterranean parking. This project will also be built under a PLA.

Also on the horizon are two 46-story mixed-use condo/office buildings slated to be built around the Century Plaza Hotel which was going to be razed, but met with opposition from the historical society. Now, the plan is to incorporate the new towers among the existing buildings. It starts with the City approval process and will be built under a PLA.

Apprenticeship Fundraiser Golf Tournament The golf tournament was a success and a good time was had by all. I personally want to thank everyone who was involved in helping to put the tournament on. It was truly a team effort from everyone in the office at local 78 to our Contractors and friends of Local 78 who sponsored the event with donations big and small; this all went toward making it a huge success. The money raised will help out our Apprenticeship program in the future. The Team of Barry, Marty, Aaron and Adam Shade from Muir Chase plumbing took First Place honors. Congratulations Men!! I am sure there is a team already being put together for next year to take you on!

LACCD Local 78 and the Building Trades has concluded the 2010-2011 wage reopener negotiations and it has been ratified to freeze the wages for the proceeding year, unless the Community College negotiates a wage or economic increase with any other bargaining unit, the same increase would be granted to employees under this bargaining unit.

Studios: After over two weeks of negotiations, Plumbers and other trades of the Basic Crafts have ratified a two year contract, with an increase to wages, health and benefit contributions, and a thirteenth and fourteenth check for those members who retired before August 1,2010.

Work out of State UA Local 286 Austin Texas is accepting travel cards for some work they are just starting. Two Hospitals and a Computer Chip plant remodel. Please do not call Local 286. Those wanting to go will have to have OSHA 10, Drug Test and Background Clearance. If anyone is interested please call me at the hall for more information.

Labor Day is Monday September 6, 2010. Please take some time and celebrate the advances of the past and present working men and women .We would not have the great conditions that we enjoy without the sacrifices that were made by those that came before us.

FALL REPORT

Category: Organizer: Doug Wilson

Let me start by thanking everyone who came out to help Mike Gatto win his race for the State Assembly, he will do us all a fine job.

I will be calling upon all our members not only to volunteer, but to get registered and get out and vote on some very important electoral races. These races will affect each and every one of us, our families and work as we know it. We need to vote for the candidate that will fight for our families and our kids education, one who is not afraid to go after large corporations that exploit their workers, and to keep our pensions secure. Please get out and register to vote and make a difference for these important races. I for one will not be bought! If you are willing to help in any way, you can contact me at the hall.

Thank you to all the members that came out to support the rally on the south steps of City Hall on August 13th. With approximately 2500 members from all different unions, we were able to get our voice out that we all want to get back to work now. Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO and Mayors from cities around Los Angeles County including Mayor Villarigosa were in attendance to help support our cause to get back to work.

I am looking into holding a Be A Contractor class. In order to hold this class we will need at least twenty members that are looking to be a contractor. If you are interested, please notify me so I can start a list of potential contractors.

I would like to recognize Michael Mize with Michaels Valley Plumbing as one of our new signatory contractors; we wish him many years of good luck and success.

There are a few jobs that are starting up with possibilities of salting. If you are interested in doing this, just contact me at the hall.

We are continuing to handbill and rally in front of Whittier Presbyterian Hospital against Pacific Rim Mechanical. By Whittier Presbyterian using Pac Rim they are hurting their own community because their employees are not residents of the area and send their monies home and dont spend it here. They should be hiring good qualified mechanics from this area. The hospital hired a contractor that does not even pay the area standard, it is just wrong. If you have other options please do not use this hospital and call them to tell them why you are not using them.