the voice of the building trades - toledo...

VOL. 86 NO. 6 USPS 905,000 SINGLE COPY 50 CENTS NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2011

PUBLISHED BY THE NORTHWESTERN OHIO BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL

THE VOICE OF THE BUILDING TRADES

Trades talk

John SchlagheckExecutive Secretary/Business Manager

NWOBCTC

(Continued on Page 6 )

(Continued on Page 4)

One set of political battles ends, but more fights ahead

By Amy DeanTruthout.org

Lastmonth, the labormove-mentanditsalliesscoredamajorvictorywiththerepealofOhioIs-sue2/SenateBill5(SB5),apieceofanti-unionlegislationsignedbyRepublicanGov.JohnKasich. Inareferendumthatgavevot-ersachancetospeakontheissue,Ohioans resoundingly rejectedthelaw,whichwouldhaveguttedthe bargaining rights of 350,000public-sectorworkers. In a land-markdefeatforRepublicans,votersturned out in large numbers andvoted61percentto39percenttostrikedownIssue2. To understand howprogres-sives pulled off this remarkablewin,IspokewithPaulBooth,oneofthechiefstrategistsbehindthecampaigntorepealSB5.Currently,

How Progressives Won the Labor Rights Showdown in Ohio

Cartoon via www.otherwords.org

BoothisexecutiveassistanttoGer-aldMcEntee, the longtimepresi-dent of theAmericanFederationof State,County, andMunicipalEmployees(AFSCME). But he is also an organizinglegendoutsideofthelabormove-ment.Inthe1960s,Boothservedasnationalsecretaryandvicepresi-dentofStudentsforaDemocraticSociety (SDS), and in the 1970shewas a prominentfigure at theMidwestAcademy, an influentialtraininggroundfororganizers.Hehasworked forAFSCME since1974. DelvingintotheOhiovictory,I openedwith a simple question:“Whydidwewin?” “ThepeopleofOhiodecidedthatthiswasasapowergrabbythegovernor and his people,”Boothsaid.“Theydecidedpublicservice

workers’rightswereworthpreserv-ing.” Hisanswerseemedconsistentwith the common “overreach”analysis.Manycommentators ar-guetheOhiovoteissymptomaticof awidespreadbacklash againstRepublican governors who ex-ceeded their electoralmandatesbyrammingconservativeagendasthroughstatehouses. “I’m cautious about ‘over-reach,’” Booth countered. “WestuckKasichandhispeoplewiththatcharacterization,butasafac-tualmatteroverreachisthewrongword.Becausewhattheydidwasrightoutoftheirgameplan.Theyhad electoral success inNovem-ber2010.And,inordertothwarteverythingthatwestandfor,theywanted tocash that inasquickly

Issue 2: The people of Ohio ‘decided public service workers’ rights were worth preserving’

Ifyouspoketoyourfriends,familymembers, neighbors, co-workers or acquaintances aboutthe importance of voting in theNovember 8th election, I thankyou.IfyouvolunteeredinanywayforLabor-friendlycandidatesoraschoollevyorNoonIssue2,Ire-allythankyou. IfyouattendedtheAFL-CIOpartyhostedbytheTeamstersonelectionnight,youknowwehadagoodtimecelebratingourvictoriesandanot-so-goodtimecommiser-atingoverourdefeats. Wedidbatover.500thatnightbyretainingLindsayWebb,PaulaHicks-HudsonandMikeCollinsonToledoCityCouncil.TyroneRileywonaseatonCouncilandwassup-portedbysomeofourLocals.WeareexcitedaboutMichelleWagnerwhowillbeanexcellentMunicipalCourtJudge.OfcoursedefeatingIssue2washugetosaytheleast. ThecandidateIwasthemostproudofwasourownShaunEn-right.Thisyoungman fromEastToledoandIBEWLocal8steppedup and ran one helluva race forToledoCityCouncil.Takingonanincumbentisalwaysdifficult.Forafirst-timecandidatetocomeoutswingingasShaundid,unafraidtoholdpressconferencesortogotoallthepoliticalfunctions,paradesand festivals tirelessly or to giveinterviewstoradio,thenewspaper

andTVaswellashedidisremark-able. His opponent claimed to bewithusuntilpushcametoshoveand he showed his true colors.Shaun is one of us.Thewrongmanwon.CouncilmanCraigwassweatingandhegotlucky. If you think thatwe are alldoneandcannowrelax,youcouldnotbemorewrong. Everything started all overagainWednesdaymorning.OK,sotheywaiteduntilnoononThurs-day.ThatiswhenagroupcallingthemselvesOhioansforWorkplaceFreedomheldapressconferenceinColumbusandannouncedtheyhadfiledtocollectpetitionstoplaceontheballotaconstitutionalamend-menttomakeOhioaright-to-workstate. November2012isalreadythenext “most important election ofourlives.”ThiselectioncyclewilldecidetheU.S.President,alloftheU.S.House,onethirdoftheU.S.Senate,alloftheOhioStateHouse,overhalfoftheOhioSenate,manyCountyCommissioners, CountySheriffs, Judges, countless issuesandnowright-to-work-for-less. Issue 2was amini-versionof RTW. In it was a provisionto eliminate fair share paymentsfromemployeeswhodidnotwanttobelongtoaunion.Theywouldreceive the same representationandbenefitsasunionmembersbutwouldnot be required topay forthem.Freeloaders.

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www.nwobtc.orgThe Northwest Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council

VOICE OF THE BUILDING TRADES NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2011


PublishedbytheNorthwesternOhioBuilding&ConstructionTradesCouncil

ISSN:1057-1299

PublishedBi-MonthlybyThe“Voice”of

TheNorthwesternOhioBuilding&ConstructionTrades

CouncilToledo,OhioJohnSchlagheckBusinessManager909FrontSt.

Toledo,Ohio43605-2120(419)693-7717

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ROOFERS LOCAL 134

TheupcomingpublicationdateofTheVoice of the BuildingTrades,publishedbyTheNorth-westernOhioBuildingandCon-structionTradesCouncil,is:

PublishedbytheNorthwesternOhioBuildingandConstructionTradesCouncil

Feb. 2, 2012. The deadline for all news copy shall be on the first Thursday of each “even-numbered” month of the year.


Brothers&Sisters, Finallythepoliticalseasonispast us and thankfullySB5wasdefeated. But our work is notdone.OurpoliticiansinColumbusthat don’t likeus are looking atRighttoWorklanguage.ThisisallinanefforttobreakUnions.Theyareunderestimatingourstrengthanddesire to survive.When thetimecomeswemustbereadytofight. Work remains very strong.Ifyouget laidoffpleasecontactthis office immediately.Wemay

D & S D’ANGELO & SZOLLOSI CO., L.P.A.

PROUD TO REPRESENT THE BUILDING TRADES AND ITS MEMBERS

INJURED?

We are pleased to announce the addition of ANTHONY E. TURLEY to our

practice. Tony has over 13 years of experience in serious injury and wrongful death cases. If you or someone you know has been injured, aggressive,

professional representation is required to fight the insurance industry for fair compensation.

- Wrongful Death / Auto – Truck – Motorcycle – ATV Accidents /

Construction Related Injuries / Injuries to Minors / Nursing Home Injuries / Animal Attacks / Birth Defects / Head – Brain trauma / Defective Products / Mesothelioma & Asbestosis / Drug Recalls

DISCOUNTED RATES FOR BUILDING TRADES

MEMBERS and their FAMILIES

NO FEES UNLESS YOU WIN

CALL THE TRADES’ LAWYERS - 419.244.8989

NWOBTC’s a t t o r n e y sD’Angelo & Szollosi recentlyhiredAnthonyE.Turleytohandleallpersonalinjury,productliabil-ity,andmedicalmalpracticecases.InadditiontobeingapartneratamajorToledolawfirmforovertenyears,Tony served on theOhioAcademyofTrialLawyersBoardofTrusteesfrom2003-2010. EXPERTISE.Overtheyears,Tonyhas takenon the insurancecompanieswithgreatsuccess.Hiscases includenumerousautoandtrucking accidents, snowmobile/ATV injuries andmedicalmal-practice incidents.Additionally,Tonyhashandledconstructionsiteinjuries,includingtwoofthecasesinvolving theworkerswho diedontheI-280bridgeproject.Ifyouoranyfamilymemberorfriendis

injured, having someone in yourcornerwithTony’s expertise iscritical. AccordingtoTony,“Pursuingan injury claimcanbe confusinganddifficult,particularlyagainstacorporationorinsurancecompanythathasunlimitedresourcestofightlegal claims. Oftentimes, goodpeoplearehurtduetothereckless-nessornegligenceofanother,butthe insurance company doesn’twanttopay! “When people’s lives areturnedupsidedown,andtheycan-notwork,and thebillsarepilingup, the last thing theyneed is totry to fight amulti-billion dollarinsurancecompanyontheirown.” Ifyou’rehurt,Tonysuggests“doNOTtalktotheinsurancecom-panyuntilyou’vehiredalawyer,

bespecificwithyourdoctorabouthowtheinjuryoccurred,andmostimportantly,focusonhealing.” TRUST.JoeD’Angelo&MattSzollosi has been in the trenchesfightingforBuildingTradesmem-bersforcloseto15years,andtheyhaveprovenresults. Did you know there are 65pages of lawyers in theToledophonebook?65pages!Don’trollthediceonyourfamily’sfinancialsecurity,move forwardwith theconfidenceof almost 15years ofunionmember representation. Inaddition to personal injury, thefirmalsohandlescriminaldefense,divorce/custodyanddomesticrela-tions and all areasof civil litiga-tion.WithD’Angelo&Szollosi,discountedratesapplyforBuildingTradesmembers.

Injured?

beabletoputyoutowork.Moreimportantlyyouwillbeonthelistincaseunemploymentcalls. Lastly, it isonceagain theHoliday season.Onbehalf oftheofficersofLocal134,Iwouldlike to wish everyone a safeand enjoyableHoliday season.Please be vigilant while outcelebratingandrememberthosewhoserveinourgreatnation’smilitarywhocannotbehomefortheholidays. Bestwishesandpeacetoall. MikeandEva

By Jim Hightower Howsmallcanagiantcorpo-rationget?Idon’tmeaninsize,butinspirit. Onceagain,America’sbiggestcommercialempire—Walmart—isdisplaying its incredibly shriv-eledethicalcenterbywhackingthealreadymeagerhealthcarebenefitsthathundredsof thousandsof itsworkerscounton. Just a couple of years ago,this $408 billion-a-year retailingcolossus tried to hush critics ofitsDickensian labor policies byballyhooing a bare-bones healthcareplanforits“associates.”Theinsurance schemehad such highdeductibles, however, that barelyhalfofitsemployeesboughtintoit. Now,eventhatbenefitisbe-ing yanked from the 40 percentofWalmart’s employeeswho arepart-timeworkers.Also,insurancepremiums and deductibles arebeing dramatically jackedup forthousandsoffull-timeworkers. For example, one full-timerwho’s paid only $12,000 a yearwill see her premiummore thandoubletoabout$3,300ayear—afourthofherincome!“Iwon’tbeabletoaffordtheinsurance,”shesays,“andIreallycan’tgowithoutinsurance,becauseIhaveaheartproblem.” Topexecutivesandtheboardof directors of this enormouslyprofitable corporation also haveaheartproblem.Theyare takingadvantage ofAmerica’s ragingunemploymentcrisistostifftheirworkforce,sincetheselow-wage,non-unionemployeesdesperatelyneedthejobsandhavenopowerto stand up to the corporation’sgreed. AWalmartPRflaksays thatdecisions towhack theworkers“were not easy, but they strike abalance betweenmanaging costsand providing quality care andcoverage.” “Care and coverage” forwhom?Why, for the top execu-tives, of course. They get fullhealth care coverage from thecorporation.How’sthatforboost-ingmorale...andformorality?Formore information, go to ForRe-spect.org/healthcare. viawww.otherwords.org

Walmart:Big corporation,with a tiny heart

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2011 VOICE OF THE BUILDING TRADES PAGE 3

ON THE BRIDGEIRON WORKERS LOCAL 55

LOCAL 351

CarpenterCuttings

OurthoughtsandprayersarewiththefamilyandfriendsofGaryDeLauter,forthelossofhisfather,William.OursincerecondolencestothefamilyandfriendsofEmeryTakacsforthelossofhisbrother,Richard;may their souls rest ineternalpeace. UnderDoctor’sCare: DianeMoore(MannyMcCreary’smom),HerbieHerzberg,RobertSterling,DonDubrySr.,RussEldridge,BillVas, JamesBlaze,Tony Santos,BillRubliatus,EugeneWardSr.,NebraGarmon (JamesGarmonwife, Jack Juhasz’s daughter),LeeCurtis, PeteWenzler,AnnieWenzler,GusRahe,MattCarver,JimWittSr.,WallyRoloff,SusanMiller (Frenchy’swife), RobertReichert, EllaHofmann (Mike’smom),Regina Jefferson (MarvinMcBrayer’s sister),MaryCrump(Johnny Crump’s wife), ChuckRudd,andKyleeBlaze. Here’sagetwell toour sickanddisabled. Family additions: Tim andAmyTopoloewskiwelcomedAn-astasiaAliciaonOctober11.Sheweighedinat8lbs,7ozandis21¼incheslong.Congratulations! Food Baskets: Please notethattheprocedureshavechangedfor our monthly food basketprogram. In order to be eligibleto pick up amonthly food bas-ket,pleasestopbythehallforavoucherslip.Youmustbeamem-berofLocal55,andLAIDOFF,inordertoreceiveone.FoodbasketsareavailablethethirdWednesdayofeverymonth, formembers inneed. FYI-Local55holdsAlcohol-icsAnonymousmeetings in theunion hall every Friday eveningand is hosted by EdAlexander.Youdonotneed tobeamemberinordertoparticipate,everyoneiswelcome. Memberswhoare65yearsandolder,orarepermanentlydisabled,

maybeeligibletoapplyforlifetimemembership.CallthehallorsendDeeDee an E-mail at [email protected]. Please e-mail the hall [email protected] if you havechildrenand/orgrandchildrenwhoareinvolvedinsportsand/orextra-curricular activities, their names,ages,schoolsand/orteamsthattheyareonsothatwemayincludetheminournewsletter. Journeyman Upgrading Classes: PLEASECALLPAULAT567-686-6063 OR 419-382-3080 TO SIGNUP IFYOUWOULDLIKETOBEPUTONALISTFORANYUPCOMINGCLASS. Certifiedwelders:PleaseDONOTforgettoturninyourweldingworkreportsEVERYSIXmonths.Ifyouletthemlapse,yourcertifi-cationwillexpireandyouwillbeforced to re-test.CallPaul at theschooltofindoutwhenyouareduetoturnonein. Please note that the correctfaxnumberforthe6monthODOTWeldingupdate is614-887-4123.forthoseofyouthatfaxyourownreportsin. Apprenticeship Applica-tions. The JointApprenticeshipTrainingCommittee is acceptingapplicationsfortheapprenticeshipprogram.Applications are beingacceptedeveryMonday,TuesdayandWednesday from 9:00am to3:00pmatthetrainingcenteruntilfurthernotice.Thereisanapplica-tionfeeof$10. Ifyouhaveanannouncementyouwould like included in thisnewsletter, simply call the hallorsendane-mailandwewillbehappytoincludeit! MayGodBlessYouandYourFamily! JoeBlazeIII

Hopethisarticlefindsallourmembers and their familieswellandreadyfortheNewYear. Thankyoutoallwhohelped“DEFEAT”Issue2,SenateBill5!Again,ourunionbrothers,sistersandour labor friendsshowed theAnit-UnionGovernorandhiscro-

niesthatOhioisnotreadyfortheirunion-bustingtactics. Itwashardwork to show the 1 percent thatthey cannot negotiate themajor-ityofOhioansoutoftheirrighttonegotiatethetermsandconditionsoftheiremployment! We cannot rest on a singlevictory.Wearealreadypreparingfor2012,whichmaybringright-to-work legislation and constantattacks onour elected friends alloverthisstateandtheUnitedStatesasawhole.ItisveryimportanttopaycloseattentiontotheISSUESandWHO supports the constantattack onworking class familieseverywhere. Our unionwill bekeepingyouandyourfamilyawareofissuesandcandidatesthateitherhelporhurtqualityoflifeasunion

membersandourfamilies. To prepare for 2012 it isimperative that everyonewho iseligibletovoteBEREGISTEREDTOVOTE. TheLucasCountyDemocraticParty is beinghired tofield staffto support our president for re-election.Applicationsareavailableonline atw22.barackobama.com/jobs. Callme if you needmoreinformationon2012electionsandissues. Pleasehaveasafeandhappyholidayseason,andrememberourunionmeetingonthe3rdTuesdayat7:30p.m.Watchforourchildrenastheyareouttoplayduringthewinterbreaksfromschool. Fraternally, RonaldRothenbuhler

AmajorRepublican talkingpoint in theWarOnWorkers isthat theNationalLaborRelationsBoardbothhurtsandlimitssmallbusinesses.PoliticiansarehavingaconversationaboutthefutureofsmallbusinessinAmericawithoutlettingsmallbusinessleadershaveasayinit. EnterWillieWest,thefounderandownerofasheetmetalcom-panyinVirginia,whoonOct.26gave his opinion on theNLRBandhowitpositivelyaffectsbothworkersandowners.Herearesomehighlightsfromhispiece: “As a small business owner,I have an odd experience nearlyeverytimeIopenanewspaper.Dayafter day, pundits and politicians–most ofwhomhave no actualexperience running a business –rattle off talking points onwhatI supposedly need. It’s strange.EventhoughI’veneverhiredaKStreetconsultant,there’sanarmyofthemreadytospeakforme.Thefreepublicrelationsservicewouldbenice,butunfortunatelytheWallStreetrhetoricdoesn’tmatchMainStreet’sreality. “Theirlatestclaimisthatsmallbusiness owners such asmyselfvehemently oppose theNationalLaborRelationsBoard (NLRB).Since the 1930s, theNLRB hasbeenchargedwithregulatingunionelections andprotectingworkers’rights against violations by bothemployersandunions. Rep. John Kline ofMin-nesotaisthelatestinastringoflawmakers to introduce legisla-tionthatwouldlimit,weaken,ordismantletheNLRBaltogether.Earlier thismonth, lawyersandanti-union spokesmen railedagainsttheNLRBinCongressio-nalhearings,claimingthissmallagency is killing small busi-nessesand, touseRep.Kline’sphrase,“wreakinghavoc”ontheeconomy.

“Thatsimplyisn’ttrue. “West goes on to talk aboutwhatheneedstorunhisshopandhowUnionworkers have had apositiveeffectonhisbusiness.Sohere’swhatarealsmallbusiness-man says he needs to succeed:talented and committedworkerswithavoiceonthejob. “IrunasheetmetalcompanyinSterling,Va.,wherewefabricateand installsheetmetalductworkfor ventilation, air conditioning,andheatingsystems.Myworkersare an integral part ofmy busi-nessandanimportantassettoitssuccess. They aremy businesspartners,notalineitemonmyac-countingforms. “MyemployeesaremembersoftheSheetMetalWorkers’Inter-nationalAssociationLocalUnion100andcollectivebargaininghelpsuswork together. Despitewhatyou’veheard,I’mnotexperiencinganyundueburdensbecauseofmyunionworkforce.Quitetheoppo-site–whenIhireaunionmember,I know I’m getting a qualified,well-trainedworkerwhohasun-dergone rigorous and thoroughskills training.Their union pro-videsaneducationalinfrastructurethat frankly, as a small businessowner, I could not offer onmyown.Having these skilledwork-ersmeansmyworkplaceissafer,which lowers costs,makesmybusinessmoreefficient,andhelpsraiseprofits.” Westfinisheshisargumentbyreflectingonhisexperiencesbeingontheworkersideoftherelation-shipandhowitaffectshisdecisionsasanowner.Thevoicesofsmallbusiness owners such asWillieWest are a refreshing addition tothe national debate on the futureofunionsbecausetheycomerightfrom the sourcewithout havingthemessagesmanipulatedbybigpoliticalmoney to create talkingpoints to shape the debate into

somethingit’snot. “Iknewfrommytimeontheother side of the desk that beingtreatedwithrespecthadanimpacton the quality ofmywork. I re-memberhowpaychecksgetspentonschoolclothesandsacklunchesandtripstothedoctor.NowthatIaminmanagement,Icanseethatwe aren’t going to climb out ofthisrecessionbytreatingworkersworse.Meagerwages,longhours,and a lack of benefits aren’t theright thing formy community ormybusiness. “It’stimethatAmerica’srealsmall business owners speak up.Guttedsafetystandards,hugetaxbreaksforCEOs,andworkerswithnorightsorbenefitswon’thelpmeandtheywon’thelpmybusiness.” As for thewitch-hunt of theNLRB,it’snothingmorethanthe-atrics.Workingpeopleandmiddleclass families face real problemseachday.RatherthanactingasWallStreet’shiredbully,Congressneedsgetbacktoworkcreatingjobsandserving the people that electedthem.

Chaz BolteWePartyPatriots blog

Unions are business partners, providing value, skills, assets


FIREALARMSPRINKLERFITTERSLOCAL669

(Continued from Page 1)

Timothy Grosteffon, Agent

24/7 BAIL BONDSAGENCY

Payment Plans • Bond Approval By Phone415 N. Michigan(acrossfromLucasCountyCommonPleasCourt)P.O. Box 9295Toledo, OH 43697

FreeCollect(419) 244-8899TollFree1-888-445-8899

GreetingsMembers, IhopeeveryonehadaHappyThanksgiving with family andfriends.November4thwasagreatday forOrganized Labor in theStateofOhio.Weweresuccessfulin defeating Issue 2. Thankyouto everyonewho understood theimportanceofthisissueandtheat-tackonOrganizedLaborandvoted.ThelastNewsletterarticletherewere17Membersontheunemploy-ment list.Today at thewriting ofthis article there are 14Membersontheunemploymentlistsothingshavenotchangedawholelot.Threelessisbetterthanthreemore.Ihavetalkedtotwoofourcontractorsthisweekandtheytellmetheprojectsthattheyhaverecentlybidonandthe upcoming projects to bid hasincreasedsothatissomewhatposi-tive.IalsoseethiswhenI’montheCNCwebsite for upcoming con-structionprojectstobidinourarea. Withwintercomingconstruc-tionusuallyslowsdown.So let’shopeforthebest.Pleasekeepthenon-workingmembers in yourthoughts and prayers during thisHolidaySeason.Theseareterribletimes andmuchmore stressfulwhen you have to dealwith theHolidayswithoutajob. Our lastDistrictUnionMeet-ingwasheldonNovember2ndinPerrysburg,Ohio.Therewere 27Members in attendance. EasternRegional representative Robert“Bobby”CooperdidanexcellentjobchairingthemeetingandgivingtheNationalOfficersreports. There are severalMemberswho have completed the JATCProgram recently and became

Journeymen. They are: JohnK.O’Dell fromMantua,Ohio,AdamD.Wilkinson fromCan-field,OhioandEdwardM.ZupkofromMineralRidge,Ohio.Con-gratulationstothemontheirac-complishment. Effective January 1st, 2012Local669’smonthlyduesratewillincrease to $22.00 permonth. Ifyouhavepaidyourduesinfor2012youwillhavetopaythedifference($2.00extrapermonth)checkyourpaidthrudateandthemonthsfor2012istheamountdue.Whenyousendin thepaymentmakeanotestatingthepaymentisforthe$2.00permonthdifference so theycanapplyitproperly. If your marital status haschangedduetodivorceoradeathofyourspouseremembertocontactNASI.Itisimportantforthemsotheycanchangeyourbeneficiaryon your records. If your ex-wifeis drawing off your health careplanandyoudon’tknowaboutitordidn’tmakeNASIawareofthechangeofyourmaritalstatusyoucouldberesponsibleforhermedi-calcosts. The Local 669 Retirees inNorthwestOhiowill bemeetingatCharlie’sRestaurant onRt. 2,AirportHwy.,Swanton,Ohio thefirst Tuesday of eachmonth at10:00AM.YoucancontactButchZimmermanat(419)822-4375. InclosinghaveaMerryChrist-masandaHappyNewYearwithfamilyandfriends.Worksmartandworksafeyourfamilydependsonyou returning home in the sameshapeyouleftinthemorning.Respectfully,TedLewis

Thatiswhathappensinthe22right-to-workstates.Unionshavefewermemberswhich equates toinferior bargaining power (beg-ging)whichequatestolessmoneyand poorer benefits forworkerswhichequatestofewermembers,and so on. Since politics is ourlifebloodand theunions inRTWstateshavelessmoneywithwhichtoexpendpolitically,theirdemiseis inevitable.That is in fact ourenemies’eventualgoal. Theyhavewantedtodestroyunions since there have beenunions.They use terms such as“theunion”and“unionbosses”and“unionthugs”attemptingtoshowunions inabad light.Unionsarenotseparateentitiesapartfromthemembers.Unionsarethemembers.Our unions have elected leaderswhocomefromwithintospeakforourcollectivevoices.Sojustwhodotheywanttodestroy? ManyRepublicanleadersna-tionallyandinthisstateincludingtheGovernor,HouseSpeakerandSenatePresidentarelukewarmtothe idea of havingRTWon the2012ballot.Theywanttokeepcon-troloftheHouseandSenatehereinOhioand theywant theWhiteHousebackanddonotwanttogiveusareasontokeepmotivated. They realize that Issue2wassoundlydefeated61%-39%andthatthecurrentGovernoronlygot49%ayearago.ThereasonwasthatalloforganizedLaborworkedtogetherinawaythathasnotbeenseeninperhapsgenerations.Theyhavedis-turbedthehornet’snest.Regardlessifitisonthe2012or2013ballotwemustremainmotivatedandunited! OhioansforWorkplaceFree-dom.Whatdoesthatevenmean?Weallwantfreedominthework-placedon’twe?Don’twealready

havethat?Itisthesekindsofde-ceitfulnamestheywrapthemselvesin to disguise their actual intent.Theydothistogetuninformedvot-erstovoteforcausesagainsttheirbetterjudgment.Payattention.Theverynameof thisorganization isdeceptivebydesign. Thepeoplebehind thisorga-nization areMauriceThompsonandChrisLittleton.ThesearethesametwoguyswhoputIssue3ontheballotandwon.Issue3wasthe“anti-ObamaCare”amendment.Itismeaningless.Federallawtrumpsstate law.Sorry.Thepoint is thattheseguysknowhowtogetissuesontheballotandmoreimportantlyraiseenoughmoneytomarkettheissue effectively.They are to betakenveryseriously. Partnered up with them attheirnewsconferencewasBryanWilliamswho is the director ofgovernment affairs (lobbyist) fortheAssociatedBuildersandCon-tractorsofOhio(ABC).AsweallknowtheABCistheunionofnon-unioncontractorstokeeptheirem-ployeesfromformingunions.TheABC is arch-enemynumberone.Theyhateunions.Theyhavealotofmoneyandhaveunlimitedac-cesstomoneyfromuntoldsourcesfromGodknowswhere.Thisistheproverbialun-holyalliance. TheonlytimeRTWwasontheballot inOhiowas in1958.Thatwasbeforemostpeopleintoday’slabormovementwere born.Thisinitiativewas sponsored by theOhioChamber ofCommerce. Itwasdefeatedbyamarginof63%-37%.That year theRepublicanswho campaigned hard forRTW,includingGovernor C.WilliamO’Neill,who losthis re-electionbid.TheylostaU.S.Senateseat,controloftheOhioHouseandSen-ateandeverystatewideofficeex-

ceptSecretaryofState.Weneedtorememberthattherewasalotmoreuniondensityintheworkforcein1958thanthereistoday. Herearesomefunfactsaboutright-to-work states compared tonon-right-to-workstates. •Thereare22RTWstatesmost-lyinthesouthandwest.Thatrepre-sents44%oftheU.S.,howeverthosesame22statesarehometoonly40%oftheU.S.populationaccordingtothe2010U.S.census. •Thereare124,892,143peoplelivinginRTWstates. •That leaves 28 non-RTWstates located in the east,GreatLakes area,Midwest andWestCoast.Theyrepresent56%oftheU.S. but 60%of the population.Thereare183,853,395peopleliv-inginnon-RTWstates. •59,000,000morepeopleliveinnon-RTWstateswhereallwork-ersenjoyabetterlifestyleprovidedbyunionrepresentation. Beholdmorestatistics: •TheaverageworkerinRTWstatesearns$5,333ayearlessthanworkersinotherstatesaccordingtotheBureauofLaborStatistics. •Also, there are 21%morepeoplewithouthealthcareandthepovertyrateis20%higherinRTWstatesfromtheCurrentPopulationSurvey,TableHI06. •The infantmortality rate is16%higherandshockinglytherateofworkplacedeathsis51%higherinRTWstatesaccordingtoDeathontheJob:TheTollofNeglect. •Fromthewebsitewww.labor-radio.orgmoreemployersareshift-inghealthcarecoststoemployees.The out-of-pocket costs to theseemployees jumped63%between2003and2010. •Thehighest premiumswerepaidbyemployeesinTexas,Flori-da,andVirginiawhichareallRTWstates.ThelowestpremiumswereinMichigan,Montana, andVer-montwhichareallnon-RTWstates. So,Ohioans forWorkplaceFreedomwantustohavethefree-domtoearnlesswhileworkinginamoredangerousenvironment,paymore forhealthcare,andstrugglehardertokeepoutofpovertywhilemorechildrendie.Whatadeal. Nowisthetimetostayalert.Educateyourselvesontopicsyoudonot understand and share thatknowledgewithothers.Payatten-tion.Thesepeoplemeanusgreatharm.Destroyingus is theirholygrail.Weinorganizedlaboraretheonlythingbetweenthemandtotalpoliticalandfinancialcontrol. WemuststicktogetheraswehavedonewithIssue2.Wehaveproven that togetherwe canwinwhenwehavethewilltodoso.Anewtrustandrespectforeachotherhasbeenrealizedthroughthisef-fort.Letusnotlosethattrustandrespectbutbuilduponit. If you value ourwayof life,pleasejoinusinthisfighttokeepit!

Trades talkPolitical battles ends, but more fights ahead

WALBRIDGE DENTALASSOCIATES

MatthewD.Freytag,D.D.S.•JodyE.Freytag,D.D.S.403N.MainSt.Walbridge,OH43465

419-666-1776

$10 OFF ANY SERVICECannot be used with any other offer.

Present coupon at time of service


PIPELINESPlumbers, Pipefitters &

Service Mechanics Local 50

Laborers Local 480What’s Happening

HAPPYHOLIDAYS! DearBrothers andSisters ofLocal480,workiswindingdownintheareawiththeoutoflistworkstartingtogrow,List1isat55andList2isat11. Wewouldliketocongratulatethe followingmembers for theiryearsofservice: 10years:WadeNickoli,WayneChaffee,ToddGillett,ShaneStan-difer,DaveDunham,AndyHorn,BradSimon,andRayBarber, 15 years: Ruben Cruz Jr.,RobertStevens,CharlesBille,KimAlexander, TheresaMerencky,BrandonEllis,NancyCameron,SueMenkhoff,NickKuharcheck,CliffBarker,GaryDaniel,RobertWarner,JamesLeboda,JamesCul-len,MattMeisler,JarrettMarinis, 20years:MikeEaton,RobertMcDonald, FrankWise,DonaldDress,DennisSitterly,MarkLoudySr.,AndrewFrazier,JamesGood,LazaroGarciaJr.,DonaldBaum,

HelloBrothersandSisters, Ihopeeveryoneisenjoyingthejoyousholidayseason. Now that elections are com-pleteandcertified,wemove intothenextchapterofpolitics.2012isahugeyearfortheelectionprocess.Iknoweveryoneislookingforwardto a break in politics, but that iswhenthewedgeisdrivenindeeperto breakup the labormovement.Yourjobdependsonit. Therehasbeenmorereactionbythelaborthanaction.Weneedmoreofourmemberstonotonlybeavoice,butbealeaderinourcommunity.Run for a director’spositionora seatoncouncil.Weneedtobethedecisionmakersthatpromoteourideology. Work in our area has sloweddowna littlewithDavisBesseandTheHollywoodCasino finishingup, but the out-of-work lists havebeen rotatingmanpowerwithBP’sReformer III Project andProtec inLeipsic starting to rampup.Thesebotharelong-termprojectsandwillhelpmembers pull out of the eco-nomicdownfallwehaveexperienced. Jeephasannounced$500mil-lionexpansionattheNorthAssem-blyPlant.Thisisgoodnewsfornotonlyourindustry,butourregionaswell.NorthwestOhiohasbeenrec-ognizedashavingasafe,productiveworkforceandmanufacturerswanttobringmorejobshere. The upcoming year looksfairlypromisingforwork,butyouneed to keep your training up to

be employable. Local 50 has agoodreputationofhavingahighlytrainedworkforceandweneedtocontinueimproving.CalltheTrain-ingCentertosignupforupcomingclasses.Askaboutanyclassesthatyouareinterestedin,ifthereisnotonescheduled. There are two more greatsources for financial educationwithLocal 50 having affiliationwithTrust Company ofToledoand Sun Federal Credit Union.Investopediaisanonlinesourceforeverythingfrominvestmentandfi-nancialtermstotutorialsandstocktrade simulators.Go online andcheck it out. SunFederalCreditUnion offers online educationandtutorialsaswellasindividualcounseling sessions.Youworkhardforyourmoneysotaketimetoeducateyourselfandyoucanputyourmoneytoworkforyou. December is a busymonthwith theDinnerDance,Local50ElectionsaswellastheHealthFair,andtheChildren’sChristmasParty.Make sure you keep up on yourdues; it’s easy to forget and fallbehindwiththeholidayactivities.I-9 ID is required tobehiredbyoneof our signatory contractors.YoucancontactthehallforalistofacceptableformsofIDtomeetthisrequirement. Iwouldliketowisheveryonea safe andhappyholiday seasonfromyourelectedofficersandstaff. Fraternally,ScottLopez,Busi-nessRepresentative,UALocal50

Dimitri’s Red WingShoes & Repair

Open 7 DaysMon.-Fri. 9:00 a.m. – 8 p.m.Sat. 9:00 a.m. – 4 p.m.Sun. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

209 Conant St., Downtown Maumee(419) 893-8647

10% discount to all unionmembers

•ProfessionalShoeFitters•OnlyLocationinMaumee•2,000PairsinStock•Life-TimeMaintenance(excludessoles&heels)

25years:DavidElswick,DeanCox,AlvinBarber,MarkYoung,JonathonKline,MattJohnson,TimCheek, 30 years: Robert Kluding,Derek Sampsell,DennisHauler,TomFries,TommieLynn, SteveVollmarSr., 35years:GlenGildenmeister,KennethNickoli,KurtSartor, 40years:ElmerGruber,Rich-ardHahn,RobertHammond. ABIGTHANKYOU to allwhohelpedtoKNOCKDOWNIS-SUE2.PleaserememberthefightisnotoverandwehavealonguphillbattleagainstSPECIALKwhoistotallynutsandlowinmoralfiber,(you knowwhowe are talkingabout)andhisWallStreetCroniesthat are out to get theworkingMiddleClass. Okay a little note aboutTRAINING.The newTrainingschedule is out and it’s time toTRAINUP.Wewill be having

MSHAClassattheLocalDecem-ber 19, 2011, 8:00am– 4:00pm,anyone interested please contacttheLocalASAP.WewillalsobeofferingSTPclassJanuary20-21,2012, remember this needs to berenewedevery5years,contacttheLocal tosignup.If thereareanyotherclassesyoumaybeinterestedinpleasecontacttheLocaltogetsignedupASAP. Let’smakesureyourmonthlyduesareuptodateasnewmem-bershipcardswillbecomingsoonandmakesureaddressesandphonenumbersareuptodatealsoaswewillbeusingbatchdialers togetout important information to themembershipwhenneeded. Congratulations to newly re-tiredEdwardCasselberry. WeregrettoinformeveryoneUnionBrother (65-yearmember)Mathew Ianiro has passed. Ourdeepestthoughtsandprayersgoouttohisfamilyandfriends,Godbless. WISHING OUR UNIONBROTHERS AND SISTERSHAPPINESSANDPROSPERITYTHROUGHOUTTHECOMINGYEAR!

Construction employmentshrank for the second straightmonthinNovemberasresidential,nonresidentialbuildingandheavyconstructionsegmentsremainedinlowgear,accordingtoananalysisof new federal employment datareleasedDec.2bytheAssociatedGeneralContractorsofAmerica. Associationofficials said theemployment drop reflects con-tinued declines in public sectorinvestments.Theyaddedthatcon-struction employment could ben-efit from increased transportationinvestmentsandotherpro-growthmeasuresdesignedtoboostprivatesectordemand. “Industry employment hasremained virtually unchangedsinceearly2010despiteapickupinsomeprivateconstruction,”saidKenSimonson, the association’schief economist. “Although theconstruction unemployment ratefell to 13.1 percent inNovember

from18.8percentayearearlier,thelackofindustryjobgrowthmeansformer constructionworkers arefindingworkelsewhereorleavingtheworkforce altogether.That’sominous for future constructionhiring.” Total construction employ-ment now stands at 5,522,000,down12,000or0.2percentfromamonthearlierandonly18,000(0.3percent)higherthaninNovember2010,theeconomistsaid.Henotedthatindustryemploymentwasactu-ally11,000lowerthaninFebruary2010,whiletheprivatesectorasawholeaddednearly3millionjobsinthattime. Residentialbuildingandspe-cialty tradecontractorscombinedhad no change in employmentfor themonth but added 20,400workers over the year, Simonsonobserved.Nonresidentialbuildingand specialty trade employmentslipped by 4,700 in November

but was unchanged year-over-year.Heavyandcivilengineeringconstruction–representingpublicworkscontractors–lost7,000jobsinNovember and2,900over theyear. Association officialswarnedthat the decline in publicworksemployment will intensify un-less lawmakers promptly passlong-term highway and aviationspendingbills that arenowmorethantwoyearsoverdue.Thecon-struction trade association alsourgedpassageoffundingforwaterinfrastructureandpublicbuildings. “Holdingupthesebillsisforc-ingalllevelsofgovernmenttode-ferneededoverhaulsandimprove-ments,”saidStephenE.Sandherr,the association’s chief executiveofficer. “The lack of funding isdrivingmanyworkers out of theindustry,perhapspermanently,andismakingtheeventualcostofinfra-structurespendingmuchhigher.”

U.S. construction activity remains tepid


ON THE LEVEL...CEMENT MASONS &

PLASTERERS...LOCAL 886

BRICKCORNERCHATTER

LOCAL 3

InternationalUnionofBricklayers&Allied

Craftworkers

THE HOT LINE...ELECTRICAL WORKERS LOCAL 8

OSHA-30CLASSES Wewill be putting on an-otherOSHA-30ClassinFebru-ary.CalltheLocal#886Officenow to get your name on thelist. This is the only time thisclasswill be offeredduring thecalendar year 2012. This classisnowamandated requirementforemployment,evenforcementmasonsworkingundertheHeavy&HighwayContract. NEWADDITIONS. Congratulations to Philip&CaseyKrieger on the birth oftheir son,BrentMerlyn, born onWednesday,October5th,atToledoHospital.Hewas21-1/2”longandweighed9#,7oz.BabyBrentwaswelcomedhomebyhisbigbrother,20-monthold,JacobLloyd. Congratulations are also inorder toRon&ShirleySieja onthebirthoftheirthirdgrandchild,whohappenstobetheirfirstgrand-daughter.ZivaRaynewasborntoKeith&HeatherSiejaonTuesday,October 11th, atWood CountyHospital. Shewas 21” long andweighed7#,13oz. NEWLYWEDS. Congratu-lations toMike& Priscilla (Jo)Lojewski.TheyweremarriedonSunday,November 6th, atHopeMinistryinToledo,Ohio. DEEPEST SYMPATHIES.TheofficersandmembersofLocal#886recentlylostthreelong-timemembers.Wewishtoextendourdeepest sympathies and sincerecondolencestothefamiliesof: PaulWingate,Sr.–aplasterermemberwithover55yearsmem-bership TomJacobs–aplasterermem-berwithover60 yearsmember-ship,andformerbusinessagent DanAnderzack – a cementmasonmemberwithover53yearsmembership Thesemenwerealloutstand-ing craftsman and assets to ourLocal.Theywillbedeeplymissed. WALLEYEHOCKEYGAMECalltheLocal#886Officetogetyournameonthelistforticketstothe January 13thWalleyeGame.Thisgamehappens tobe“UnionNight” andmembers from vari-ousunionswillbe inattendance.DeadlinetoorderticketsisFriday,December16th. Weextendoursincerewishesforhappyandsafeholidaystoallourmembers and their families.May2012beaprosperousyearforall. Jim,JeffO.,Mike&Sally

HelloBrothersandSisters, Iwould like to start out bypersonallythankingeverymemberwhovotedinourrecentelections.Withourhardworkandpersever-ance,wedefeatedtheverycontro-versialSB5/Issue2.Issue2wasvoteddownby63%ofthevoters. GovernorKasich announcedaftertheelectionthathewillpushtomakeOhio a Right-to-Workstate.Sobrothers and sisters, thefightisjustbeginning.Pleasekeepthesethoughtsinthebackofyourmindwhenitcomestimetoelectanewgovernor,andrememberyourvoteDOEScount. Thework situation has beenholding steadywithcalls comingin almost daily.The numbers onthebookstillhoversaround200.WithChernestartingtohirefortheReformeratBP,theFDGprojectatMonroePowerHouse scheduledtostartaroundthefirstoftheyear,andtheanticipatedfastpacedJeepprojectcominginthefuture,hope-fullythenumbersonthebookswilldroptothelowestwehaveseeninafewyears. With the holidays fast ap-proaching,markyourcalendarsforsomeupcomingeventsforyouandyourfamily.TheChildren’sChrist-mas partywill be heldSaturday,December10atSplashBayWaterParkfromnoonto4pm.TheannualMember’sChristmaspartywillbeheld immediately following thenormalmeetingonDecember19.Botheventsarewellattendedandagood timewith fellowbrothersandsisters. With thewinterweather fastapproaching,pleaseremainvigilantin keeping a safework environ-ment.Asalwaysworksafe.HappyHolidays,BryanEmerick,PressSecretary

Thewintermonths are hereandasithappenseveryyearworkwillbegintoslowdown.Thishasbeen an exceptional year andwecanonlyhopethatnextyearwillbeprosperousforallofus. This year’s annualAwardsBanquet/HolidayBanquet tookplace on December 8, 2011.The event waswell-attendedbymanymembersthatenjoyedgood food and theopportunitytoseefriendsthattheymayhavelostcontactwith.Themembersthatwere recognized this yearfortheiryearsofserviceareasfollows: 50YearsofService:RichardL.Kubicki 25YearsofService:ArthurJ.Apostle,HarryJBaldwin,StevenR.Blue,MichaelD.Clark,RichardP.Crouch,DavidACygnor,GeraldW. Dearsman, James J. DubrySr., Lawrence E.Duerk, JosephAGazarek, DavidW. Harnica,TerryA.Hedges,JosephE.Lewis,MichaelJ.Maag,RobertE.Reed,DeborahD.Sparks,JeffreyT.St.John,KennethM.VaughanJr. Congratulationstothesemenfortheirserviceanddedicationtothisgreatorganization. Pleasemark your calendarsfor February 15, 2012. TheInternationalMasonry Institute(I.M.I)willbeintowntoconductaFlashingUpgradeandGroutingCertificationseminar. Theclasswill takeplace at theNorthwestOhio Construction EducationCenter 4535HillAve.Toledo,Ohio43615. Ifyoudonothavetheseclassesyet I highly recommend thatyouattend.Itiswritteninmanyofthejobspecs.thatmasonsmusthavetheseclasses inorder toworkontheprojects.Itwouldbeashameifyouwerekeptofajobbecauseyouneededthiscertification.TheclassiffreetoallB.A.C.members,theregistrationdeadlineisFebruary9,2012. I have registration forms intheoffice.Ifyouwouldliketogetsignedupeitherstopbyorgivemeacall. HappyHolidays, Don

andthoroughlyaspossible.Theywantedtochangetherulesofthegame for 2012.Theyviewnextyear’selectionsastheirlastbesthope for throwingObama out,takingbacktheSenate,andfinal-izingeverythingthey’veworkedfor in the last 40 years. So thiswas reach, not overreach.Theydid exactlywhat they thoughttheyhadtodo.Inthecontextofeverything they’ve been tryingto do for the last 40 years, it isessential for them to cripple thevoiceofworkingpeople.” An unprecedented scale. IaskedBoothaboutthenatureof thefield campaign that laborandotherprogressiveswagedonthegroundinOhio. “It was an immense out-pouringofenergyandwork,”hesaid. “The gathering of 300,000signatureswas almost entirely avolunteer effort. That’s neverbeendonebefore foranything,anywhere. Tens of thousandsofpeopleburntupshoeleathergoing door to door.TheGOPput out a last-minute fundrais-ingappealwheretheysaidwithgreatpridethattheirpeoplehadknockedon100,000doors.Ourorganizationhaddone200,000door knocks in a single day:Saturday,Nov.5.” “Mostpetitiondrives,includ-ing those launchedbyorganizedlabor,aredonebypaidsignaturegatherers,”Booth continued. “Inthiscase,wemobilizedavolunteerarmyforacitizens’vetopetitiondrive.Nobodyhaseverdoneany-thingthisbig.” WhatabouttheroleofWork-ingAmerica,thecommunityaffili-ateoftheAFL-CIO,inthisdrive?The organization is designed toengage working-class peoplewho are not already representedby unions. In this case, Boothbelieves theywere essential inexpandinglabor’sreach. “InOhio,WorkingAmericareaches amillionmembers notincludedinactual laborunions,”he said. “That’smore than themembershipofalltheOhiounionscombined.Itwasanindispensablepiece of the picture.We cannotafford to enter into anyof thesefights without all of our toolsavailable.Wehavetousethemall,andevenwhenweusethemallwearen’tguaranteedavictory.Weareupagainstaveryformidablearrayofoppositionpower.” Going on the offensive. Booth and I next discussedwhytheOhiomovementhadbeenmore successful in rejecting theRepublicans’anti-unioninitiatives

thanitsWisconsincounterpart. “In Wisconsin the onlymeans available to us [for op-posingGov.ScottWalker]werepartisan elections,”Booth said.“Inrecallelections,youhavetoovercomethebiasagainstrecall-ingsittingofficials.Andbecauseof the constitutional frameworkinWisconsin,wecouldonlyrunrecalls indistricts thathadbeenwonbytheRepublicansin2008,nottheswingdistrictstheyseizedin2010.Soitwasaheavierlift.InWisconsin,averyhighpercent-ageofthepeoplewhovotedforWalkervotedagainsttherecalloftheirstatesenators.” Ohio,Boothnoted,presentedadifferentsituation:“Doingabal-lotmeasureisanon-partisanex-ercise.So30percentofthepeoplewho voted forKasich in 2010voted ‘no’ on the referendum.Whilewe split the independentvoters in theWisconsin recallelections,wegotasolidmajorityofthemagainstSenateBill5[inOhio].” Concluding our conversa-tion,Iexpressedconcernthat,inspiteofthelatestvictory,Repub-licanshaveforcedusintowarsofattrition,andwonderedhowwecouldgoontheoffensive. “Theyaremakingusspendourmoney,” Booth answered,“but you just have to dowhatyou have to do.We have todigdeeper.Ultimatelyweareapopularmovement.The loyaltyofourmembers is rocksolid. Idon’tthinktheycanwipeusoutwiththesemeans,butitcertainlyputsalotofstressonus,andyouneverknowwhatisgoingtohap-pen.” “We understand that thesearebattlesinthewar,notthewaritself,”Boothsaid.“Therewillbemorebattleswhenthelegislaturereconvenesandduringtheelec-tionsnextyear.” His prescription for goingforwardwasclear:“Unity.Dis-ciplineinbothorganizationandmessage. Boldness.We havetomakesurenottogetscared,buttogetbackandfight,fight,fight.”

The people of Ohio ‘decided public service workers’ rights were worth preserving’(Continued from Page 1)

Union strategy going forward: “Unity. Disci-pline in both organi-zation and message. Boldness. We have to make sure not to get scared, but to get back and fight, fight, fight.”


The Mud Box

Heat and Frost Insulators Local 45

GreetingsBrothers&Sisters, WehopeeveryonehadasafeandenjoyableThanksgivingwithfamily,friends,food,andfootball. Wewouldliketothankallthememberswho volunteered theirtimehelpingtodefeatIssue2,andalso getting local labor-friendlycandidateselectedonNov.8th. Withtheworkatthenewca-sinowindingdown,theannounce-mentabouttheJeepadditions,andwork atG.M.Defiance,Pro-Tec,and JohnsonControls could nothavecomeatabettertime.Maybe2012will be amore prosperous

ToAllOurBrothersandSis-ters, December 2011 union meet-ing: TheDecember unionmeet-ing will be held on Thursday,December15th, 2011 at thePipeFittersHalllocatedat7570CapleBoulevard, SuiteA,Northwood,Ohioat7:30p.m.AttheDecember2011meetingwewillbehavingourtraditionalChristmasdinner.ThisyearourdinnerwillbecateredbyJed’s.WelookforwardtoseeingeveryoneatourDecembermeeting.It’saspecial time toget togetherbeforetheholidaysandenjoyeachother’scompany. January2012unionmeeting: OurJanuary2012unionmeet-ingwill beonThursday, January19th,2012attheunionhalllocatedat4904NorthSummitStreet. NewestJourneyman-Mechan-ics:January2012:InJanuary2012wewillbehavingelevenappren-ticesturningouttobeournewestjourneymanmechanics.Wewouldliketoextendour“CongratulationstoAll!”atthistime.ThenamesofourgraduateswillbeinourFebru-ary2012MudBoxArticle. PerCapitaDues:Overallwearedoingwellinkeepingourpercapitaduescurrent.Westillhavea fewmemberswho are runningbehind. Tohelp thosewhoneedreminders,wehavebeensendingoutpostcards. Pleasemail inorcome into the hallwith your percapitadues.Itmakesabigdiffer-enceforallofustostaycurrent. ThankYouforVotingOnNo-

vember8th,2011! ItwasagreatTuesdayeveningonNovember 8th, 2011 to hearthatIssue2wasvoteddownbythevotersinthestateofOhio.“ThankYouAll!”forsupportingworkingfamilies and for protecting ourrights to have collective bargain-ing during contract negotiations.Wearevery,veryfortunateandwewillbechallengedagainonotherworker’srightissuesinthefuture.Asfortoday,wehavemuchtobethankful for during this specialholidayseason. Insulators Local 45HealthcarePlan:During2012,therewillbechangesmadetoourInsulatorsLocal 45Healthcare Plan. Ouradministrator,BeneSys Inc.,willbe sending this new informationouttoourmembersinthecomingweeks. Wewill discuss someofthe changes during our January2012meeting, so please attendyourunionmeetingssoyouwillbeinformedofthechangescoming. WorkStatus:Workhassloweddownabitlocally. Fermishouldbe putting on a few for the fire-wrapjob.Therefineriesmightputon somewhen theweather getscolder.Detroit(Marathon)shouldbelookingforsometravelers.Inthespringtherewillbetwonukesgoingdownforrefueling–FermiinAprilandDavisBesseinMay. INCLOSING:Wewishyouall“AVERYMERRYCHRISTMASANDAHAPPYNEWYEAR!” Fraternallyyours, Mark

yearforourmembers. TicketsfortheLightsBeforeChristmas at theToledoZoo areon sale at theUnionHall.Adultticketsare$5.00andChild/Seniorticketsare$3.00,andaregooduntilDecember31st2011. TheToledoDistrictmeetingforDecemberiscancelledasinthepast,butwearelookingforwardtoseeingyounextyearattheJanuary24thmeeting.Wewish everyoneaMerryChristmasandasafeandHappyNewYear. –DonHafner, JohnRussell,andMattCherry

LOCAL 33SNIPS

FROM (Thisise-mailfloatingaroundcyberspace.Itsauthorisunknown,butifwefindoutwhowroteitwewillletyouknow). Astheholidaysapproach,thegiantAsian factories are kickingintohighgeartoprovideAmericanswithmonstrous piles of cheaplyproducedgoods–merchandisethathasbeenproducedattheexpenseofAmericanlabor.Thisyearwillbedifferent.ThisyearAmericanswillgivethegiftofgenuineconcernforotherAmericans. Thereisnolongeranexcusethat, at gift-giving time, nothingcanbe found that isproducedbyAmericanhands.Yesthereis! It’s time to thinkoutside thebox,people.Whosaysagiftneedsto fit in a shirt box,wrapped inChineseproducedwrappingpaper?Everyone–yesEVERYONE,getstheirhaircut.Howaboutgiftcer-tificatesfromyourlocalAmericanhairsalonorbarber?Gymmember-ship? It’sappropriate forall ageswhoarethinkingaboutsomehealthimprovement.Whowouldn’t ap-preciategettingtheircardetailed?Small,American owned detailshopsandcarwasheswouldlovetosellyouagiftcertificateorabookofgiftcertificates. Areyouoneofthoseextrava-gantgiverswho thinknothingofplonkingdowntheBenjamin’sonaChinesemadeflat-screen?Perhapsthat grateful gift receiverwouldlikehisdrivewaysealed,or lawnmowedforthesummer,ordrive-wayplowed allwinter, or gamesatthelocalgolfcourse.Therearebazillionowner-run restaurants –allofferinggiftcertificates. And, if your intended isn’t

the fancy eatery sort,what aboutahalfdozenbreakfastsatthelocalbreakfastjoint? Remember,folksthisisn’taboutbignationalchains–thisisaboutsup-porting your hometownAmericanswiththeirfinanciallivesonthelinetokeeptheirdoorsopen. Howmanypeoplecouldn’tuseanoilchangefortheircar,truckormotorcycle,doneatashoprunbytheAmericanworkingguy?Think-ingaboutaheartfeltgiftformom?MomwouldLOVEtheservicesofalocalcleaningladyforaday.Mycomputercoulduseatune-up,andIKNOWIcanfindsomeyoungguywhoisstrugglingtogethisrepairbusinessupandrunning. OK, you were looking forsomethingmore personal. Localcraftspeoplespintheirownwoolandknit them into scarves.Theymake jewelry, and pottery andbeautifulwoodenboxes. Plan your holiday outings atlocal, owner-operated restaurantsand leave your server a nice tip.

And,howaboutgoingout to seeaplayorballetatyourhometowntheatre.Musiciansneed love too,sofindavenueshowcasing localbands. Honestly, people, do youREALLYneedtobuyanothertenthousandChinese lights for thehouse?Whenyoubuya$5stringof light,aboutfiftycentsstaysinthecommunity.Ifyouhavethosekindsofbucks toburn, leave themailman,trashguyorbabysitteraniceBIGtip. You see, Christmas is nolonger about drainingAmericanpockets so thatChina can buildanother glittering city.Christmasis now about caring about US,encouragingAmericansmallbusi-nesses to keep plugging away tofollow their dreams.And,whenwe care about otherAmericans,we care about our communities,and thebenefitscomeback tousinwayswecouldn’timagine. THIS is the newAmericanChristmastradition.

How about starting a new tradition this Christmas: support your local businesses

SUPPORT YOUR local merchant with locally bought gifts and ser-vices – at Christmastime and throughout the year.

WASHINGTON(PAI)–Par-tisanpolitics,courtesyoftheGOP,turned aNov. 30NationalLaborRelationsBoard(NLRB)voteonrulesforunionelectionproceduresintoyetanotherWashington,D.C.,3-ringcircus. Before the dust settled, theloneRepublicanontheboardhadthreatened to quit, aDemocraticcongressmanwarned of outsidepressure– from theGOP’sRightWing– togethim todoso,webheadlines and blogsmade thatpressure obvious, and theGOP-runHousevotedonpartylinestojamthroughabilltryingtohalttheboard’splannedaction, In the end, the board’sGOPmember,BrianHayes,stayedputandtheresolutionpassedona2-1party-lineNLRBvote. AtissueistheNLRB’seffort

toendsomeoftheendlessproce-duralobstaclesthatnowgetinthewayofschedulingunionelectionsand then counting the votes, ac-cordingtoagencychairmanGastonPearce. InwrittentestimonyandattwodaysofNLRBhearingsthissum-mer,unionsstronglysupportedtheNLRB’sproposals.Theysaidtheproposalswouldeliminatesomeofthedelaysandlegalhurdlesfirmsnowuse to frustrate – legally orillegally–workers’voicesonthejob. Unions’ biggest complaint:TheNLRBdidn’tgofarenough. Businessgroupsjustasstrong-lyopposedNLRB’splan.Businesslobbiesorchestratedthemajorityofthe65,000commentson the rulethatswampedtheboard.OnNov.30, Pearcewasn’t even offeringthe proposed union election rule

itself–justaresolutionauthorizingdraftinglanguage.Butheusedtheoccasiontojustifyit. “ThevastmajorityofNLRB-supervised elections, about 90%,areheldbyagreementoftheparties–employees,unionandemployer–inanaverageof38daysfromthefiling of a petition. The amend-ments Iproposewouldnotaffectthoseagreed-toelections,”hesaid. Instead, they “apply to theminority of elections held up byneedless litigation and disputeswhichneednotbe resolvedpriortoanelection.Inthesecontestedelections,employeeshavetowaitanaverageof101daystocastabal-lot. Asseveralemployeesperiodcanbedisruptive andpainful forallinvolved.” Tactics that business uses todelay and defy union organizingincludepre-electionappealstotheboardand“raisingirrelevantissuesin pre-electionhearings,” turningthe hearings into legal battles,Pearcesaid.

NLRB seeks to shorten union election process, sending the right into a rage

RESIDENTIAL UNION CONTRACTORS

SHEETMETAL WORKERSCommercial Comfort Systems, Inc. P. O. Box 8792 Maumee, OH 43537 Phone: (419) 481-4444 Fax: (419) 832-0126 Contact: Fran Lanciaux

Complete Heating & A/C 5520 Alger Road Sylvania, OH 43560 Phone: (419) 882-0175 Fax: (419) 882-0035 Contact: Ken Newberry Cross Heating & Cooling, Inc. 2731 Morocco Road Ida, MI 48140 Phone: (734) 856-2400 Fax: (734) 856-2500 Contact: Bill Cross Executive Mechanical P. O. Box 256 Ottawa Lake, MI 49267 Phone: (734) 854-6054 Fax: (734) 856-7089 Contact: Thomas Pant Frische Mullin A/C 5132 Enterprise Blvd. Toledo, OH 43612 Phone: (419) 726-4900 Fax: (419) 726-4114 Contact: Raj Thapar Fry Brothers Htg. & A/C 1909 Tremainsville RoadToledo, OH 43613 Phone: (419) 472-1107 Fax: (419) 472-7858 Contact: Jim Fry

PLASTERERSEmpire Builders(419) 304-2763

New Vision Construction Services(419) 382-1273

Thourot Plastering, LLC(419) 335-1811

CEMENT MASONSB & J Concrete (419) 474-8096

Scott’s Quality Concrete(734) 888-1788

JAK CC(419) 263-7875

J.M.B. Construction(419) 466-5669

Quinn Concrete(419) 476-3290

Rahe Construction(419) 262-8095

ELECTRICAL WORKERSBarriger ElectricTom Barriger4425 N. Stickney Ave.Toledo, OH 43612419-727-1500

Great Lakes ElectricalGreg Krzyston3156 Upton Ave.Toledo, OH 43613(419) 480-1235

Northwest ElectricalJody McCollum1617 Shanrock Dr.Holland, OH 43528(419) 865-4557

Peak ElectricMilt McIntyre4643 OakbridgeToledo, OH 43623(419) 392-1274

Residential ElectricJerry JensenP.O. Box 352946Toledo, OH 43617(419) 865-8095

ELECTRICAL, con’t

TAS, Inc.433 Dearborn Ave.Toledo, OH 43605(419) 693-3353

Regent ElectricKevin McCarthy5235 Tractor Rd.Toledo, OH(419) 476-8333

Service ElectricPaul Barber404 N. Dean Rd.Adrian, MI 49221(517) 263-0409

Transtar ElectricDan Bolin867 Warehouse Rd. Ste. CToledo, OH 43615(419) 385-7573

Transtar Electric Security & Technologies, Dan Bolin 867 Warehouse Rd. Ste. CToledo, OH 43615(419) 385-7573

Zeiler ElectricRich Zeiler 13351 Todd RoadIda, Michigan 48140 (734)269-3437

IRON WORKERS King Fence Co. Temperance, MI 48182 e-mail:[email protected] Phone: (419)509-6227 Fax: (734)847-0672 Contact: Larry King

PLUMBERS & PIPE FITTERSCross Htg. & Clg. Inc.2731 Morocco RdIda Mi 48140(734) 856-2400

Frische-Mullin5132 Enterprise Blvd.Toledo OH 43612(419) 726-4900

Geo. F. Peters & Son Inc.2733 Glendale AvenueToledo, OH 43614419-382-1234Contact: Fred PetersFamily owned & operated since 1910

Laroy Plbg. & Htg. Inc.PO Box 552Sylvania OH 43560(419) 466-7819

Merit Plbg. Inc.8432 W Central #1Sylvania OH 43560(419) 841-3216

Ott Plbg. Inc.1749 Green Valley Dr.Toledo OH 43614(419) 381-7088

Perrysburg Plumbing625 SanduskyPerrysburg OH 43551(419) 874-7163

R.A. Rush Plbg. & Htg. Co Inc.6880 Sylvania-PetersburgOttawa Lake MI 49267(734) 856-2489

Rowe Plbg. Inc.3915 N Detroit Ave.Toledo OH 43612(419) 476-5663

J & K Mechanical7505 Bluebush Rd.Maybee, MI 48159(734) 587-3184Contact: Kyle Crossman

M & M Heating & A/C 610 Scott Street Toledo, OH 43620 Phone: (419) 243-3005 Fax: (419) 243-0754 Contact: Mark Janiewicki

Okuley Heating & A/C50 W. Sylvania AvenueToledo, OH 43612(419) 478-4699(419) 754-2321Contact: Bob Okuley Perfection Heating & A/C 5249 Secor Road, Suite #3 Toledo, OH 43623 Phone 419-473-2665 Fax 419-472-9433Contact: Rick Stachowski Sieb Plumbing & Heating 303 B. Front Street Monroe, MI 48161 Phone: (734) 241-8898 Fax: (734) 241-9067 Contact: Rich Sieb Vintage Heating & Air 3335 McGregor Lane Toledo, OH 43623 Phone: (419) 472-9349 Fax: (419) 472-9335 Contact: John Crozier

PAGE 8 VOICE OF THE BUILDING TRADES NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2011


IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT “TEMPORARILY AWAY” “TemporarilyAway”…whenamemberhasinformedthepostoffice theywill be “temporarily

away”,thepostofficer e t u r n sthis paperb a c k t otheBuild-ingTradeswith a bigy e l l o ws t i c k e r

indicating “TEMPORARILYAWAY”alongwithareturnpost-agefee.Whatdoestemporarilyawaymean?Itcouldmean“I’m

inFloridaforfourmonths,I’monvacationfortwoweeks,I’mawayon a job for severalmonths.” Italsomeansyou will be deletedfromtheVoice of theBuildingTradesdatabase. TheBuildingTrades has noway of determining how long amemberis“temporarilyaway”orevenif,orwhen,thatmemberwillreturn.Everymonththepaperisreturned, another postage fee ischarged. Somemembers indicate totheir local “I use to receive thepaper,butforsomereason,Idon’treceiveitanylonger.”“Temporar-

ilyaway”isthe#1reasonwhythishappens. When the paper is re-turnedwiththebigyellowsticker,it will be deletedfromtheVoiceoftheBuildingTradesdatabaseanddoesn’t get backon the databaseuntilyourrespectivelocalindicatesforustodoso. TheVoice of the BuildingTrades sends out approximately9,000 papers everymonth andeverymonth,stacksofpapersarereturned indicating “temporarilyaway”, so you can imagine howcostlyincangettopaythepostagetoinitiallymailthepaper,andthenagainwhenthepaperisreturned.

Ifyouwouldliketoguaran-teethereisnointerruptioninthedeliveryofyourpaper,youmustcontactYOURRESPECTIVELOCALandinformthemofanyupdatestoyouraddressandyourlocalwilltheninformtheBuildingTrades. Inclosing,thankstothehand-fulofmembersthatareconsistentinkeepingtheiraddressupdatedwhenthey“gosouthforthewin-ter” and alsowhen they return.Thosemembersareguaranteeingthere is no interruption in theirpaperservice. Thankyouforyourattention.

John Celock Huffingtonpost

WASHINGTON –Ohioansoverturned a divisive anti-unionlaw onElectionDay, deliveringasignificantdefeattoRepublicanGov.JohnKasichandavictorytolaborunions. OhiovotersrejectedIssue2,aballotreferendumonSenateBill5,ameasurethatrestrictscollectivebargaining rights formore than360,000publicemployees,amongotherprovisions.Oppositiontothelegislation inspired large protestsfromresidentsaroundthestatethisyear. Issue2failedbyavoteof61to39percent. Immediately after the resultscame in, union officials sent outstatementsdeclaringsuccess. “Onemessagerang loudandclear tonight inOhio and acrossthe country: those who spendtheir time scapegoatingworkersand pushing a partisan agendawillonlystrengthentheresolveofworking people,” saidAFL-CIOPresidentRichardTrumka.“Fromtheverybeginning,it’sbeenclearthatGov.Kasich,andindeedmanypoliticians,werepushinganagendathatwasaboutpolitics,notaboutsolving our nation’s problems orcreatingjobs.” “Even after John Kasichlocked the doors to democracyandshutouteverydayheroesfromtheStatehouse,inthecold,blisterof February – working peopleneverlosthope.Wemarchedinthespring, circulatedpetitions in thesummerandnow,thisfall,wede-liveredawinforallworkingpeoplebydefeatingIssue2,repealingSen-ateBill5,”addedBeckyWilliams,presidentofSEIUDistrict1199inOhio. KasichheldapressconferenceshortlyafterthefateofIssue2hadbeendeclared,sayingitwastimeforhimto“takeadeepbreath”andfigureoutwhattodonext. “When I say it is a time topause,itisrightnow,onthisissue,”hesaid.“Thepeoplehavespokenclearly.Youdon’tignorethepublic.Look,Ialsohaveanobligationtolead. I’ve been leading since thedayItookthisoffice,andI’llcon-tinuetodothat.Butpartofleadingislisteningandhearingwhatpeoplehavetosaytoyou.” KasichsignedSB5 into lawonMarch31,althoughthelawwasputonholdduringthereferendumcampaign.Thelabor-alignedgroupWeAreOhio organized the anti-Issue2effort,andBuildingABet-terOhioledthepro-Issue2fight. Tuesday’s defeatmay havenullifiedSB5,butpartsofthelawmaynotbedeadinthelongterm.Whilemuchofthepublicattentionhascenteredon the law’sbanon

collective bargaining for publicemployees,thelawalsocontainedprovisions to require public em-ployeestocontributetotheirhealthcare and pension benefits, alongwithpushingmeritpayforteach-ers–proposalsthatpolledwellintherun-uptotheelection. OhioStateRep.MikeFoley(D)saidtheRepublicanleadershipin the legislaturemay try topasstheseproposalsonebyonewhentheyreconveneinJanuary. “Theycouldactandtakebitsandpiecesofitandtryanewbillonteachermeritpayorhealthcare...oranyofthepartsofthebillthattheythinktheycangetpassed,”Foleysaid. “I don’t know if theywill.We’llhavetosee....IthinksomeoftheRepublicanmembersontheirsideoftheaislearegoingtostartlookingattheirleadershipfunnyiftheycomebackwithanothercol-lectivebargainingbill.” “We certainly are going tobereadyforthat,ifwe’restillinthe samekind of political situa-tionofthemcontrollingthestatelegislatureandgovernor’soffice,”addedAFL-CIOPoliticalDirectorMikePodhorzer. “We’re hopingthe vote onTuesdaywill havedemonstrated this is enormouslyunpopular. Kasich’s spokesman recentlysaid the governor had not beenfocusing onwhat-ifs in case thereferendumwasdefeated. OppositiontoIssue2broughttogetherabroadcoalitionofOhio-ans–aswellasasignificantamountofcash.WithjustundertwoweekstogountilElectionDay,bothsideshadalreadyspentmorethan$38.1million,with those against Issue2 outraising their opponents bynearly 4-to-1.The campaign sawapublicserviceannouncementbya former astronaut, shady tricksintelevisionadsandaright-wingradio host taking the side of theunions. WhiletheOccupymovement

has been at oddswith police inOakland,Calif., andNewYork,Issue 2 served as away to unitethepoliceandOccupyClevelandmembers.The local police unionsaid that the officers recognizedtheyhadsupportfromtheOccupymovementonIssue2andsoughttoworkwiththeprotesters. This included identifying atone pointwhichmembers of theOccupymovement officers ar-rested.Inaddition,whenpoliceof-ficersaskedtheOccupyClevelandgroupnottouseapolicememorialplazaforademonstration,Occupyleaderscooperated. In the run-up to Tuesday’svote,pollsshowedthatIssue2washeadedforadecisivedefeat. SB 5 has defined Kasich’sfirst year in the governor’sman-sion.WhiletheRepublicandidnotmentiontheissueinhiscampaigntounseatformerDemocraticGov.TedStricklandinthe2010election,

hisquickembraceofthebillearlierthisyearmadehimthelaw’spublicface.Kasichranastatewidecam-paigntosaveSB5intherun-uptotheelection. PoliticalexpertsinOhiotoldTheHuffingtonPostthatthegov-ernorwillnotturnintoalameduckjust yet, since he has threemoreyears in office and other issues,including economic developmentandthebudget,couldbetheonestodefinehim. Issue2wasoneofthreerefer-endumsontheOhioballotthisyear.VotersapprovedIssue3,alargelysymbolicmeasure that sought toamend the state constitution toprohibitthenationalhealthcarelawfromtakingeffectinOhio.Writtenby a conservative-leaning group,themeasuresoughttoinfluencethecomingbattleintheU.S.SupremeCourtoverthefutureofthenationalhealthcarelaw. OhiovotersalsofacedIssue1,

areferendumraisingthemaximumageforjudicialapplicantsfrom70to75.Normallyanunder-the-radarreferendum subjectmatter, Issue1languishedinanonymityinthisyear’scycle,andwasdefeatedbyvoters. AspokesmanfortheInterna-tionalAssociationofFirefighters,whowasnot authorized to speakon the record, hopedTuesday’svictorywouldbeawarningtootherconservativegovernorsaroundthecountry. “Kasich ran on a platformof growth, and his first thing isto give tax breaks to the rich,increase thepayofhisstaffsig-nificantly–whileatthesametime,he’s trying to cut the firefight-ers and police and teachers andnurses.It’sanoverreach,”hesaid.“Theywent a little too far, andwhat’shappeninghereinOhioisanotherstepinwhathappenedinWisconsin.”

After defeating Issue 2, labor wary about what’s next from GOP

ONE OF THE MANY public protests over Ohio’s Senate Bill 5/Issue 2. Ohio AFL-CIO photo

•

Union Bulletin BoardNOTICES OF UNION SPECIAL MEETINGS, ELECTIONS, ETC.


ELECTRICAL APPRENTICESHIPOPPORTUNITIES

INSIDE/COMMERCIAL,TELECOMMUNICATIONS and

RESIDENTIAL (NEW PROGRAM)(Men & Women)

The Toledo Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee will be accepting applications on Mondays from 8:30am until 5:30pm, and Tues-days through Fridays from 8:30am until 4:00pm. YOU MUST APPLY IN PERSON AND SUBMIT A $20.00 APPLICA-TION FEE (payable by personal check, money order, MasterCard or Visa (no cash, please). Applications are take at:803 LIME CITY RD.ROSSFORD, OH 43460The following documentation is required to qualify for the apprenticeship: •Copy of Birth Certificate (you must be 17 to apply) •Official copy of High School Transcript. (cannot hand deliver) •Copy of GED if not a HS graduate. •Proof of successful completion of one (1) credit of Algebra. Recruitment, selection, employment and training of apprentices is done without discrimination due to race, religion, color, national origin or

gender.


Union Bulletin BoardNOTICES OF UNION SPECIAL MEETINGS, ELECTIONS, ETC.

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Need to buy flowers? Please DO NOT do business with Monroe County Flowers because they do not business with unions or union members. Monroe County Flowers has three locations to avoid: Monroe, Bedford, Toledo

Ohio Carpenters JATC – Local #351NOTICE OF APPLICATIONTherearetwowaytoapplytoourprogram.

WetakeapplicationseveryTuesdayandThursdayat10am.Applicantsshouldbringwiththem:1. DriverslicenseorStateID2. Birthcertificate3. HighSchooldiplomaorGEDUponcompletionoftheapplication,theapplicantwillbegivenalistofcontrac-torsalongwithan“IntenttoHire”packetandinstructionsastothenextstepintheprocess.

Thesecondwaytoapplyistogotoourwebsiteatwww.ohcap.organdclickonthe“Northwest”tab.Fromthereanyonemaysubmitanapplicationatanytime.

Northw

esternOhioLaborU

nionNew

spaperTheVoiceoftheB

uildingTrades909FrontSt.Toledo,O

H43605-2120

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equested

Building Trades Calendar of Events

LOCALUNION MEETINGDAY TIMEAsbestosWorkersLocal45 ThirdThursday 7:30p.m.BoilermakersLocal85 ThirdThursday 7p.m.BricklayersandTileSettersLocal3 SecondThursday 7:30p.m.CarpentersLocal351 ThirdTuesday 7:30p.m.CementMasons&PlasterersLocal886 FirstThursday 8p.m.ElectricalWorkersLocal8 First&ThirdMonday 7p.m.ElevatorConstructorsLocal44 Ft.Wayne-SecondThursday5p.m.ElevatorConstructorsLocal44 SouthBend-FirstTuesday 7:30p.m.ElevatorConstructorsLocal44 Toledo-SecondWednesday 7:30p.m.GlaziersLocal948 SecondTuesday 5p.m.IronWorkersLocal55 FirstTuesday 7:30p.m.Local55ExecutiveBd.Meetings: FirstTuesday 6p.m. ThirdTuesday 6:30p.m.LaborersLocal480 SecondThursday 7:30p.m.LaborersLocal500 FirstWednesday 6:30p.m.NWOBuilding&ConstructionTradesCouncil ThirdWednesday 6p.m.PaintersLocal7 SecondWednesday 6p.m.Plumbers&PipeFittersLocal50 FirstandThirdTuesday 7:30p.m.RoofersLocal134 ThirdThursday 8p.m.SheetMetalWorkersLocal33 FourthTuesday 7p.m.SprinklerFittersLocal669 District14 7p.m. CuyahogaFalls

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By Robert ReichFmr. U.S. Secretary of Labor

Formost of the last century,thebasicbargainattheheartoftheAmericaneconomywas that em-ployerspaidtheirworkersenoughtobuywhatAmericanemployerswereselling. That basic bargain createda virtuous cycle of higher livingstandards,more jobs, and betterwages. Backin1914,HenryFordan-nouncedhewaspayingworkersonhisModelTassemblyline$5aday–threetimeswhatthetypicalfac-toryemployeeearnedatthetime.TheWallStreetJournaltermedhisaction“aneconomiccrime.” ButFordknewitwasacun-ning businessmove.The higherwage turnedFord’s autoworkersintocustomerswhocouldaffordtobuyModelT’s.IntwoyearsFord’sprofitsmorethandoubled. Thatwasthen.Now,FordMo-torCompanyispayingitsnewhireshalfwhatitpaidnewemployeesafewyearsago. Thebasicbargainisover–notonlyatFordbutallovertheAmeri-caneconomy. NewdatafromtheCommerceDepartmentshowsemployeepayisnowdowntothesmallestshareoftheeconomysincethegovernment

begancollectingwageandsalarydatain1929. Meanwhile, corporate profitsnowconstitutethelargestshareoftheeconomysince1929.Theyear1929,bytheway,wastheyearoftheGreatCrashthatusheredintheGreatDepression. In the years leading up totheGreatCrash,most employersforgotHenryFord’sexample.ThewagesofmostAmericanworkersremained stagnant.The gains ofeconomic growth went mainlyintocorporateprofitsandintothepocketsoftheveryrich.Americanfamiliesmaintainedtheirstandardoflivingbygoingdeeperintodebt.In1929thedebtbubblepopped. Soundfamiliar?Itshould.Thesamethinghappenedintheyearsleadinguptothecrashof2008. The latest data on corporateprofitsandwagesshowwehaven’tlearnedtheessentiallessonofthetwobig economic crashes of thelast seventy-fiveyears:When theeconomybecomestoolopsided–disproportionatelybenefittingcor-

porateownersandtopexecutivesrather than averageworkers – ittipsover. Inotherwords,we’reintrou-blebecausethebasicbargainhasbeenbroken. Yet incredibly, some politi-ciansthinkthebestwaytorestartthenation’sjobengineistomakecorporationsevenmoreprofitableand the richeven richer– reduc-ing corporate taxes; cutting backon regulations protecting publichealth,workersafety,theenviron-ment, and small investors; andslashingtaxesontheveryrich. These samepoliticians thinkaverageworkersshouldhaveevenlessmoneyintheirpockets.Theydon’twant to extend the payrolltaxcutorunemploymentbenefits.Andtheywanttomakeitharderforworkerstoformunions. Thesepoliticianshaverealityupsidedown. Corporationsdon’tneedmoremoney.Theyhavesomuchmoneyright now they don’t even knowwhat todowithallof it.They’re

evenbuyingbacktheirownsharesof stock.This is a bonanza forCEOswhosepay is tied tostockpricesanditincreasesthewealthofothershareholders.Butitdoesn’tcreate a single new job and itdoesn’traisethewagesofasingleemployee. NordothewealthiestAmeri-cansneedmoremoney.Thetop1percentisalreadytakinginmorethan20percentoftotalincome—thehighestsincethe1920s. Americanbusinesses,includ-ing small-business owners, haveno incentive to create new jobsbecauseconsumers(whosespend-ingaccountsforabout70percentoftheAmericaneconomy)aren’tspending enough. Consumers’after-tax incomesdropped in thesecond and third quarters of theyear, thefirstback-to-backdropssince2009. The recent small pickup inconsumerspendinghascomeoutof their savings.Obviously thiscan’t continue, and corporationsknow it. Consumer savings arealreadyattheirlowestlevelinfouryears. Get it?Corporate profits areuprightnowlargelybecausepayisdownandcompaniesaren’thir-ing.Butthisisalosinggameevenfor corporations over the long

term.Without enoughAmericanconsumers,theirprofitabledaysarenumbered. Afterall,there’salimittohowmuch profit they can get out ofcuttingAmericanpayrollsorevensellingabroad.Europeanconsum-ersareinnomoodtobuy.AndmostAsianeconomies,includingChina,areslowing. We’reinaviciouscycle.Theonlywayoutof it is toputmoremoneyintothepocketsofaverageAmericans.Thatmeansextendingthepayrolltaxcut.Andextendingunemploymentbenefits. Don’tstopthere.CreateaWPAto get the long-termunemployedbacktowork.AndaCivilianCon-servationCorp to create jobs foryoungpeople. Hire teachers for classroomsnowovercrowded, and pay themenough to attract peoplewho aretalented as well as dedicated.Rebuild our pot-holed highways.Createaworld-classinfrastructure. Payforthisbyhikingtaxesonmillionaires. AbasicbargainwasonceattheheartoftheAmericaneconomy.Itrecognized that averageworkersare also consumers and that theirpaycheckskeeptheeconomygoing. Wecan’thaveahealthyecon-omyuntilthatbargainisrestored.

Basic bargain is broken with American worker‘When the economy becomes too lopsided – disproportionately benefiting corporate owners and top executives rather than average workers – it tips over.’

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