Published By AMERICAN INCOME LIFE & NATIONAL INCOME LIFE LETTER LABOR ADVISORY BOARD OCTOBER 2015 Vol. 47 No. 6

NEWS FROM THE AFL-CIO Labor Council for human and civil rights… More work and AFL-CIO, CTW, Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) advocacy needs to be made in order for La- INTERNATIONAL & called for more “strategic investment” by tinos to achieve parity,” the report stated. unions in organizing Latinos and expand- Hector Sanchez, LCLAA’s executive di- NATIONAL UNIONS ed use and promotion of workers’ centers. rector who edited the report, said that the The group produced a 60-page report, Latino share of the workforce is calculated America’s energy security, af- “Latino Workers and Unions: A Strategic to double, to 30 percent, within a few de- fordable gasoline prices and booming Partnership for America’s Progress,” which cades. “Organized labor must make stra- refining sector would be jeopardized if pointed out that Latinos are the fastest tegic investments in outreach to Latinos. Congress votes to lift the ban on crude growing U.S. minority and fastest-grow- The potential for growth in organizing La- oil exports, declared the United Steel- ing segment of the U.S. workforce. They tinos is a critical lifeline unions must use in workers Union (USW). “Does Congress are also the most exploited. “For Latinos, order to stay relevant. More importantly, want the to be dependent the road to social and economic prosperity unions can use this new membership to on Mideast oil producers who have the is mired with hurdles. From wage theft to leverage a more pro-worker agenda and power to deny oil supplies based on po- the increased rates of deaths at the work- reverse the laws that have weakened col- litical whims,” asked USW International place, Latinos are increasingly susceptible lective bargaining for working people,” the President Leo W. Gerard. He pointed out to a wide range of attacks on their labor, report said. Congress passed the crude oil export ban in 1975 because America’s dependence on the Mideast for crude oil allowed Saudi Arabia to hold oil supplies hostage in re- taliation for the United States’ support of Israel in the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. “Members of Congress want to place our country in that precarious position again by lifting the crude oil export ban. Ex- porting crude makes no sense when our country is not energy self-sufficient, -im porting 44 percent of the crude that is refined in the United States,” he said. The union said the ban has allowed U.S. re- fineries to compete against foreign com- petitors who have lower labor, environ- mental and safety standards. Lifting the ban would put them in competition with refineries in China and India and lead to their shutdown. Hector Sanchez, LCLAA’s executive director. Flickr.com photo used under Creative Commons from The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Right.

TERRY O'SULLIVAN, President - Laborers International Union of North America, Chairman - AIL/NILICO Labor Advisory Board VICTOR KAMBER, Vice President - American Income Life Insurance Company, Executive Director - AIL/NILICO Labor Advisory Board ROGER SMITH, President & Chief Executive Officer - American Income Life Insurance Company, President - AIL/NILICO Labor Advisory Board DENISE BOWYER, Vice President - American Income Life Insurance Company, Secretary - AIL/NILICO Labor Advisory Board Pg 2 LABOR LETTER

the seafood industries reported workplace striking over the airline’s plans for low- injuries, compared to 8.4 percent in other cost expansion which was not part of the workplaces. “In the 21st century no child union’s mandate in pay talks. VC spokes- should be brutalized by exploitation,” said man Markus Wahl said that the union was Maurizio Bussi, head of the International surprised by the ruling. However, it may not Labour Organization’s office in Thailand, mean the end of strikes. “We will review the Cambodia and Laos. Thailand’s seafood in- decision and then draw the consequences dustry, with exports valued at $3 billion a for our continuing labor battle,” he said. year, relies heavily on cheap labor. Thai law states the minimum age of employment IndustrialALL Global Union is 15, but many younger children work il- launched an international campaign against legally and are not in school, the report Chevron for firing union organizers in found. Thailand is the world’s third-largest Bangladesh. IndustrialALL Global Union seafood exporter. Assistant General Secretary Kemal Öz- kan said Chevron sacked the workers with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. Flickr.com The international photo used under Creative Commons from AFGE. “impunity” and their actions were “shame- Confederation organized a recent two-day ful.” According to the international orga- Wages increased by an aver- meeting in Paris to develop common posi- nization’s statement, Chevron has been in age of 4.3 percent, a jump of $1,147 a year tions on climate change prior to the much- the country for nine years since acquiring for a typical wage earner in the United anticipated 21st Conference of the Parties exploration and extraction operations from States, for workers who bargained new con- on climate change known as COP21. Some Unocal. The company employs 453 work- tracts in the first half of 2015, according to 200 union delegates from 30 industrial- ers but only 37 are permanent contrary to a new report by the AFL-CIO’s Center for ized and developing countries met to iden- Bangladeshi labor law that limits temporary Strategic Research. The report is the most tify trade union priorities. The purpose of employment to three months. Workers in comprehensive look at the current state of the meeting was to have a strong impact May filed with local courts for permanent collective bargaining at a time when an es- on global negotiations to reduce climate status after forming a union. The follow- timated 5 million American workers will change. “It is the most significant chal- ing day Chevron hung up a list of 17 fired negotiate new contracts this year. Wage in- lenge of the next 30 years,” Sharan Burrow, workers that included the top officers of creases are up from 2.9 percent compared General Secretary of the ITUC, said dur- the workers’ union, Bangladesh Chemi- to the first half of 2014, the report said, ing the opening session of a meeting which cal, Energy and Allied Workers’ Federa- with substantial wage wins occurring in intended to prove that “climate change is a tion (BCEF). IndustrialALL condemned sectors from nursing and oil to airline pi- trade union issue.” French Foreign minister “Chevron’s illegal union busting in Bangla- lots and teachers. “This country is having an Laurent Fabius, who will preside over the desh, and calls for corrective action by the important debate about raising wages and COP21, attended the session and chal- multinational energy company.” tackling income inequality,” said AFL-CIO lenged delegates to identify the sectors that President Richard Trumka. “This report are most vulnerable to climate change, help provides clear evidence that joining a union prepare workers for the industrial transition NATIONAL AND and bargaining with your employer is the ahead, hold employers accountable on their POLITICAL EVENTS most effective way to give workers the pow- CO2 reduction promises, and alert workers er to raise their own wages. When working that rising temperatures is a critical issue. The Labor Department’s Bu- people speak with one voice, our economy is reau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported stronger, and all workers do better.” Lufthansa pilots must halt a in September that the number of workers strike that led to the cancellation of about who died on the job in the U.S. rose 2 per- 1,000 flights, in an increasingly bitter battle cent in 2014 to 4,679 fatal work injuries INTERNATIONAL over benefits and the future of the airline. compared to 4,585 the previous year. The LABOR NEWS Represented by the Vereinigung Cock- figures will be finalized later this year and pit (VC) union, pilots began a series of are expected to be revised higher. The rate Migrant children, mostly from 13 strikes about 18 months ago to protest of deaths remained essentially unchanged Myanmar, work illegally in Thailand’s sea- changes to early retirement benefits. In re- at 3.3 deaths per 100,000 full-time work- food processing industry and are twice as cent months, the pilots also have tried to ers because U.S. workers are logging more likely to be injured as minors working in block the low-cost expansion at Lufthansa. hours on the job. “Far too many people are other industries, according to a new report The regional labor court in the federal state still killed on the job — 13 workers every from the International Labour Organisa- of Hesse overruled a decision made by a day taken from their families tragically tion and the Asia Foundation. The report lower court and blocked the pilots from and unnecessarily,” said Labor Secretary found almost 20 percent of children in striking. The court said the pilots were Tom Perez. “These numbers underscore LABOR LETTER Pg 3 the urgent need for employers to provide a coverage through work. “It’s funny, we used Missouri legislature in Sep- safe workplace for their employees as the to think of $1,000 as a very high deductible, tember failed to muster the two-thirds law requires.” The preliminary number of and now it’s almost commonplace,” he said. majority needed to override Governor workers ages 55 and older who died on the “Consumers have much more skin in the Jay Nixon’s June veto of so-called “right- job was “the highest total ever reported,” game, and that may be fine if you’re healthier to-work” legislation. The Missouri House according to the BLS. The number jumped and don’t use a lot of health care. That could passed the bill by a 92-66 vote and Sen- to 1,621 in 2014 from 1,490 in 2013, a 9 be a real problem if you’re chronically ill.” ate vote was 21-13, meaning an override percent increase. Sources reported that a would require 17 more votes in the House likely reason for that rise is the increased Top Senate Democrats, includ- and two more in the Senate. Nixon called numbers of older workers because retire- ing presidential contender Bernie Sand- the legislation harmful to the middle class. ment is coming later for many Americans. ers (I-Vt.), introduced legislation to repeal “This extreme measure would take our state ObamaCare’s so-called “Cadillac” tax on backward, squeeze the middle-class, lower A recent study released by the high-cost, mostly union-negotiated health- wages for Missouri families, and subject Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Re- care plans. Other sponsors include Sen. businesses to criminal and unlimited civil search & Educational Trust found that em- Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who is in line liability,” Nixon said in remarks released by ployers are continuing to shift the costs of to become the chamber’s top Democrat, his press office. “Right-to-work is wrong health care to their employees with no slow- as well as Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the for Missouri, it’s wrong for the middle- ing in sight. According to the survey, the size chamber’s longest-serving member. The tax, class – and it must never become the law of of the deductible employees are required to which does not go into effect until 2018, the Show-Me State.” pay before benefits kick in has soared in the will affect families whose benefits exceed past decade. The average general deduct- $27,500 and individuals whose benefits ex- ible for workers with single coverage totaled ceed $10,200. Applied to insurance carriers, REGIONAL & $1,077 this year, compared to only $303 in critics say the cost of the tax will be passed LOCAL LABOR 2006. That deductible has climbed nearly along to subscribers. A similar measure in- NEWS seven times faster than wages, on average, troduced in the House earlier this year has over the past five years. Kaiser CEO Drew enough bipartisan support to easily pass. The United Food & Commercial Altman called the cost shift a “quiet revolu- AFL-CIO’s Trumka hailed the bill, saying, Workers Local 555 recently negotiated tion in health insurance,” obscured in recent “America’s working families are encouraged a three-year contract on behalf of em- years by the health care overhaul’s cover- by the bipartisan leadership to improve ac- ployees at a Portland, Oregon, cannabis age expansion for people who don’t have cess to comprehensive health benefits.” dispensary where marijuana sales became legal on October 1. Workers at Stoney Brothers approved a contract that pro- vides starting wages of $15 an hour for cashiers, $20 an hour for trimmers and up to $32 an hour for master cannabis cul- tivators. The agreement also guarantees paid holidays and vacation days, pension contributions and employer-subsidized health insurance. “Our UFCW Interna- tional Union has been involved in canna- bis organizing for six to eight years, much of it in northern California involving medical dispensaries,” said Jeff Ander- son, Local 555 secretary-treasurer, who is coordinating union organizing efforts in Oregon. The union represents about 3,000 cannabis workers in nine other states and the District of Columbia where medical or recreational marijuana are le- gal, he said. Based on population com- parisons with Colorado and Washington, the first two states to legalize recreational marijuana, union officials estimate the -in dustry could expand to as many as 7,000 Senator Bernie Sanders. Shutterstock.com photo from Juli Hansen. cannabis workers in Oregon. Pg 4 LABOR LETTER

Teamsters Local 104’s 469 realize that 80 percent of a car is built by addition to state cost-of-living adjustments, members ended a 42-day strike against Sun- workers in the parts sector, which is where guaranteed 30-minute recesses for elemen- Tran/Transdev, the City of Tucson’s public the union is concentrating many of its or- tary students and greater teacher input over transit system, on September 16. Members ganizing efforts. The union, however, has standardized tests. Educators had com- approved a new two-year contract with an active campaign at the Mercedes-Benz plained that the high cost of living in a city Professional Transit Management (PTM) a assembly plant in Tuscaloosa County, with a booming population of well-paid wholly-owned subsidiary of Transdev, after which employs 2,200 regular employees tech workers was pricing them out of the rejecting a previous offer. The new pact pro- and more than 1,000 temporary workers. area. The union received wide-spread sup- vides raises for all employees ranging from The company has said it is staying neutral port from the community, parents and stu- $0.30 per hour for some to more than $5.00 in the organizing effort. dents who raised concerns over too much per hour for other employees, as well as pay- testing, not enough recess and concerns ing for 100 percent of the monthly health about racial disparity in discipline and stu- and welfare premiums for all. Management IN THE PUBLIC dent performance. also addressed serious mold contamination SECTOR that exists in SunTran’s north facility and on the buses and the installation of Plexi- Some 1,000 federal contract SIGNIFICANT glas partitions in buses in high-risk routes. workers who cook, clean and provide oth- LEGAL AND NLRB During negotiations, PTM/Transdev faced er services at governmental buildings in RULINGS growing community outrage over the use of Washington conducted a one-day strike out-of-state scab replacement workers who September 22 to coincide with the Pope’s In a controversial 3-2 ruling, received lucrative employment contracts, visit to the nation’s capital. The pope has the National Labor Relations Board signifi- the union reported. Teamsters Local 104 made the plight of the low-wage worker cantly revised and broadened its standard represents 530 workers at the transit system. central to his papacy and has dubbed eco- for determining joint employer status under nomic inequality the “root of social evil.” federal labor law. Companies considered The Workers walked off their jobs for $15 an “joint employers” are required to engage to- scored a major organizing win in the south hour “living” wage and union recognition. gether to recognize and bargain with unions when 135 workers at an auto parts maker in “The pope has been a prophetic voice glob- formed by their employees. In Browning- Piedmont, AL, voted to join the union by ally denouncing economic inequality and Ferris Industries of California (BFI), the a 2-1 margin. Workers at the Commercial poverty-wage work… there is no better NLRB said that joint employer status will Vehicle Group Inc. plant, located about 85 example of that than the U.S. Capitol,” Jo- now exist when a company exercises “indi- miles north of Birmingham, said they were seph Geevarghes told the news media. He rect control” over working conditions or if it concerned about issues such as wage caps is deputy director of Change to Win, the has “reserved authority” to do so. The Board and the growing use of temporary work- group helping to organize the strike. After determined BFI, an owner and operator of ers without benefits. Pay tops out at $15.80 marching off their jobs, workers gathered the Newby Island (Calif.) Recycling facil- hourly while temporary workers are hired at the Lutheran Church of the Reforma- ity, should be considered a joint-employer at even lower rates and rising health care tion, across the street from the U.S. Capi- with Leadpoint Business Services (Lead- insurance costs cut take-home pay. UAW tol, and heard from speakers who included point), a Phoenix-based temporary staff- Vice President Cindy Estrada told the news U.S. presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie ing agency, which supplies workers to the media, “I think it shows that workers do Sanders (I-Vt.). “Workers there serve U.S. facility. The board majority said the new want change and they can stand up and senators who are worth $2.3 million on av- standard of joint employer was needed be- win in the South.” She said people do not erage, yet they earn so little that they are on cause of “changing economic circumstances, food stamps, they sleep on the streets, they particularly the recent dramatic growth in cannot afford to make ends meet,” Geevar- contingent employment relationships.” ghes said. Seattle teachers approved a labor contract Sunday, September 20 end- LABOR LETTER ing a weeklong strike that had delayed the provided through start of school for 53,000 students. “We got many new things in our contract that will benefit students,” Shelly Hurley, a special education teacher and a member of the union bargaining team, said in a state- UAW Protest. Flickr.com photo used under ment. The new contract provides teachers Protecting Working Families Creative Commons from Thomas Altfather Good. a 9.5 percent pay raise over three years in www.ailife.com AGENDA OCTOBER 2015

The best ladder to the middle class is this year alone, working people in all kinds a collective bargaining agreement. It is the of jobs have won an average pay increase of single best way to raise wages and build a 4.3 percent the old-fashioned way — by de- ladder to the middle class. Collective bar- manding it. By standing in solidarity for it. gaining is our priority, but we’ll raise wages Raising wages also means investing in any way we can. We’ll campaign to raise the our infrastructure. We need to go big. I’m minimum wage. We’ll fight for paid sick talking trillions with a T. America should Richard leave and family leave. We’ll win fair sched- have the best infrastructure in the world. It Trumka ules and equal pay for equal work. will create new jobs. And it will have eco- President, We know what works … and we know nomic benefits across the supply chain — AFL-CIO what doesn’t work. Corporate trade deals what people in transportation like to call don’t work. That’s why we’re against the the multiplier effect. UNIONS FIGHT Trans-Pacific Partnership. The truth is these Today working men and women can trade deals have ripped apart the fabric of feel like we’re struggling and pushing with- TO EXPAND THE our nation. out getting anywhere. Wages are too low. AMERICAN DREAM And let’s be real, our trade policies are a Benefits are too few. Retirement security bipartisan failure. For three decades, Demo- just isn’t. It’s hard. (The following is excerpted from a speech crats and Republicans have sold us down the And the corporate right-wing is wag- by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka river. From NAFTA to CAFTA to Korea ing the most sophisticated anti-worker to the 2015 convention of the International and now the TPP, our elected officials have campaign we have ever seen. Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers continually put profits over people. That’s But even in the face of these enormous on September 14 in Baltimore.) why we fought so hard against Fast Track. challenges, I know we can… and we will Every day, and in every way, America’s The corporate lobbyists pulled out every win a new day for working people… to- unions are fighting to expand American trick in the book and still only managed to gether. The Koch Brothers and Scott Walk- freedom. Across our entire labor movement, squeak by. But we have forever changed the er can spend all the money in the world, but we’re finding new ways to build bridges debate about trade in America. they do not have the men and women in within our communities, and one issue is We made everybody, including the this room. I will take our might over their particularly urgent today… and that’s the elites, take a long hard look. And if it comes money any day of the week. epidemic of . up for a vote, we are going to kill the TPP When we work together, there is no When we are divided by race, it is easier once and for all. challenge too difficult, no obstacle too great, for our political opponents to keep us down, We are demanding raising wages and no hill too steep. We’ll stand together. We’ll to kill our jobs and lower our wages. We a rising tide for every worker in America! push together. We’ll organize together. We’ll know racism is wrong. We believe with ev- Raising wages is our measuring stick for the mobilize together. We’ll register together. ery fiber of our being that #blacklivesmatter. 2016 election. As you know, the AFL-CIO We’ll vote together. And we’ll win together. This is about all of us… together… has not yet made an endorsement, but we moving forward toward justice… and shared are not sitting back. We have been grilling prosperity… guided by our shared values. presidential candidates on what actions they Together, we’ll rise to create an econo- will take to make our economy fairer for my that really works for every single one of working families. us! We are activists. We are trade unionists. We also make crystal clear that we do We know what’s right and what’s wrong, not work for any political party or candi- and we’re not afraid to stand up and say it. date. We work for working people, plain and We are guided by one central idea. It’s simple, because we want the freedom to live like our North Star. We’re working… for better lives, to take care of our families and a better life. The way we’ll get there is by to improve our jobs and our communities. raising wages … any way we can and every- A big part of our raising wages agenda where we can. We want raising wages and is collective bargaining. And let me tell you, everything that comes with it. Good pay, collective bargaining is on the rise. This great benefits, fair schedules, paid sick leave year 5 million union workers are negotiat- and a voice on the job. ing contracts. This is the biggest year for We know the best way to raise wages is bargaining in American history. So why is Minimum Wage Protest. Flickr.com photo used to organize. this important? In the first six months of under Creative Commons from Steve Rhodes. AIL/NILICO Participates in Labor Day Events

AIL was active and visible in Labor Day 2015 events held around the nation in September. Below are a few places where AIL participated with union families in local Labor Day activities.

Pg 2 AGENDA

Virginia AFL-CIO Convention NY Building Trades Rally The Virginia State AFL-CIO convention featured a big presence by AIL. Central NY ALF/Tompkins-Cortland County Building & Construction Trade Shown are (left to right), Marc Perrone, Int'l President, United Food & recently held a rally in Ithaca to protest the use of non-local, non-union contractors Commercial Workers, AIL PR Manager John Keliher and PR Representative that build projects where the property owners receive local tax abatements to Vivian Dwyer. help complete the project. In the photo, NILICO PR Marketing Specialist David Scalisi (right) met with county building trades President Dave Marsh.

CWA Demands Fair Contract AIL’s George Farenthold and John Keliher recently attended a rally in Annapolis, Md., in support of CWA members fighting for a new contract with Verizon. AGENDA Pg 3

AIL/NILICO PARTICIPATES IN LABOR DAY EVENTS AIL was active and visible in Labor Day 2015 events held around the nation in September. Below are a few places where AIL participated with union families in local Labor Day activities.

St. Louis Parade Missouri Governor Jay Nixon (right) joins AIL’s Pam Monetti at the St. Louis Labor Day Parade.

South Florida Labor Day Gala Cincinnati AFL-CIO Picnic Attending the Broward County AFL-CIO Annual AIL’s PR Marketing Specialists John Wagner Labor Gala are (left to right) AIL PR Manager and Anna Rohrer volunteered to call the Bill Sauers, South Florida AFL-CIO President numbers and check the cards at the Bingo Andy Madtes, and AIL PR Marketing Specialist tent during the Cincinnati Federation of Labor Steve Sanchez. Labor Day picnic.

Grand Rapids Labor Fest Proudly wearing Raise the Wage stickers provided by AIL, PR Marketing Specialist Lisa M. Bennett joins members of Millwrights Local 1102 at their exhibit during the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Labor Fest.

PA Labor United NYC Labor Day Parade Labor Day Celebration NILICO PR Rep Kathy Pappas and her daughter AIL’s PR Marketing Specialist Mark Flemm, wife, Katina stand on the Office & Professional Erie, PA AFL-CIO Parade Kelly and son, Jason participated in the festivities Employees Union float in the New York City at Northmoreland Park where the Greater Labor Day Parade with OPEIU Int’l Pres, Mike AIL’s PR Marketing Specialist Jeffrey Hapke Westmoreland County (PA.) Labor Council Goodwin (left) and OPEIU Local 153 Sec- (second from left) is flanked with representatives hosted the Labor United Labor Day Celebration. Treas. Richard Lanigan. AIL/NILICO employees from the Simon Arias SGA office who marched in According to media reports, more than 100,000 and representatives employees in the U.S. are the Erie, PA. AFL-CIO parade. people attended the two-day event. represented by OPEIU Local 277. Pg 4 AGENDA

IBEW Leader to Join the AIL/NILICO Labor Advisory Board

AIL/NILICO President & CEO Roger Smith announced International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers International President Lonnie NC AFL-CIO Convention Stephenson is the newest member of North Carolina AFL-CIO Secretary–Treasurer the AIL/NILICO Labor Advisory Board. MaryBe Mcmillan (left) and North Carolina AFL-CIO “We are pleased and delighted to President James Andrews (right) join AIL’s Vivian welcome IBEW International President Dwyer and PR Manager Bill Sauers at the podium during the North Carolina AFL-CIO Convention. Lonnie Stephenson to the AIL/NILICO Labor Advisory Board,” said Smith. “He replaces a renowned labor leader, Ed Hill, and will continue the union’s growth and influence into the future.”

Lonnie Stephenson was the unanimous choice of delegates to the 38th International Convention in June to serve as International President following the retirement of long-time leader Edwin D. Hill. He had served as International Vice President of the Sixth District for five years.

Hawaii State Senator meets One of his major goals will be challenging so-called “right-to-work” with Labor Leaders laws. “It has become more important than ever to educate the general Shown are (left to right) Randy Perreira Executive public about why it’s right for people to pay their fair share for the Director, HGEA/AFSCME 152, President, Hawaii protections provided by collective bargaining agreements that help State AFL-CIO; U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D); AIL’s PR Marketing Specialist Dion Dizon. support them and sustain their communities,” said Stephenson, who helped lead the huge protests in Wisconsin to halt Gov. Scott Walker’s assault on public workers.

A native of Moline, IL, Stephenson, whose father worked at the U.S. Army’s Rock Island Arsenal and whose mother was a factory worker, began his inside wireman apprenticeship with Rock Island Local 145 in 1975. He was elected Vice President in 1984 and President from 1987-1992.

Stephenson later served as an Executive Board member of the Quad City Federation of Labor and partnered with business leaders to support Oklahoma’s Munson Elected a successful bond referendum to launch the project. AIL PR Marketing Specialist Tim O’Connor joined state labor leaders for the swearing- As co-chairman of the labor/management cooperative committee, in of labor-endorsed Cyndi Munson to the ILLOWA, Stephenson helped establish the basis for 300 public and Oklahoma state house. Shown are (from left), private sector all-union project labor agreements. He helped to spearhead Oklahoma State AFL-CIO President Jim Curry, O’Connor, Delegate Munson, Retired AFSCME a one-cent sales tax referendum in Davenport that brought millions of 2406 member Mary Sosa, Assistant Business dollars of work opportunities to the area. Manager LIUNA 107 Arturo Delgato and Business Representatives Operating Engineers Stephenson was appointed an International Representative assigned to 627 Curtis Chambers and Alan Farris. the Sixth District in 2002. He was soon appointed Organizing Coordinator for the Sixth District and then Administrative Assistant to then-IBEW Sixth District International Vice President Joseph (Jeff) Lohman.