SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 HE T IT NDU CO “Long Islanders Serving the Electrical Needs of Nassau and Suffolk Counties For Over 80 Years” # Special Election Issue # Workers Rally – Trip to Philadelphia On August 11th, Local 25 and Local 1049 combined Bob Casey and Congresswoman (D) Debbie Wasserman efforts on a joint trip to Philadelphia to participate in the Shultz from Florida along with numerous other speakers all trade unionists rally supporting workers’ rights. We trav- emphasizing that August 11, 2012 is the day when workers eled by bus and personal car pools as organized labor’s proclaim protections under the Second Bill of Rights for brothers and sisters from throughout the United States working Americans. All workers want is a sense of equality gathered to proclaim a demand for a Workers Second Bill of and economic opportunity for all. The Bill recognizes the Rights. right to employ- The buses ment and a living left Local 25’s wage, the right hall around 6:30- to full participa- am with Business tion in the legisla- Manager’s Kevin tive process, the Harvey and Don right to a voice Daily leading the at work, the right respective local to a quality edu- unions. There cation and the were a total of right to secure a about 150 rank healthy and pros- and fi le members perous future. from both unions. On November 6, Coffee and donuts 2012 the choice for the trip down should be clear. and sandwiches and sodas for the trip back were loaded Will the country be led by leaders who protect its seniors, onto the bus for the 3 hour trip to Philly. promote a better system of education, protect workers’ After arriving in the City of Brotherly Love, members rights and provide for upward mobility through the sys- were met by other labor unions all sporting colored shirts tem…or will we be led by leaders who look to eliminate showing their trade affi liation. To kick off the event, Master benefi ts for working class people by eliminating earned of Ceremonies, President Ed Hill of the IBEW, introduced benefi ts, by taking away the right to bargain, to organize Labor leaders and politicians. President Hill continued the and to help raise our standard of living? The rally sup- dialogue with a rousing speech which recognized that it has ported the agenda of all working people by promoting been organized labor that has built America. He acknowl- that our current leadership best represents our interests edged that it has always been the sacrifi ces and hard work as trade unionists. I'd like to thank all Brothers and Sisters of labor that has made the middle class what it is today. who took time out of their busy schedules to participate. Other motivational speakers followed. There was AFL- CIO President, Richard Trumka, Pennsylvania Senator (D) (Additional photos on page 7) BUSINESS THE MANAGER’S REPORT CONDUIT BY KEVIN M. HARVEY As fall approaches, what comes to mind is the realiza- THE CONDUIT (Publication No. USPS 984-520) tion that the election season is right around the corner. And is published bi-monthly as a service to its members by Local Union 25, IBEW, P.O. Box with that means Election Day, that great holiday which is the 18033, Hauppauge, New York 11788. Third Class bedrock of our democracy. It is the time when we as a nation elect our leaders Postage paid at Centereach, New York 11720. with the hope that they will work together for our country’s common good. Kevin M. Harvey, Editor Yet recently that goal has seemed all too elusive, if not unattainable. Wash- ington’s partisan politicians have grabbed a stronghold on our republic and it OFFICERS OF LOCAL UNION 25 eventually must come to an end – for all our best interests. This Conduit issue Business Manager is geared towards the upcoming elections. From the Local Union’s standpoint, Kevin M. Harvey we hope to make you aware of the issues which have the greatest impact on us President as a “Labor” organization. There is much political rhetoric out there surround- Michael O'Grady ing all candidates from both parties. What we hope to do is provide you with an informative non partisan perspective of the issues – one that can hopefully Vice President correct the misconceptions and misunderstandings that are all too often found James Malley on the campaign trail. Recording Secretary There’s a saying which says that all politics are local and that could not be Brian Kearney more true. Our local politicians often have a greater understanding of the is- sues because of their close proximity to them. Our ability to literally reach out Financial Secretary Gregory Walsh to them is invaluable. They have a sincere empathy for our concerns regarding taxes, our high cost of living, and a host of associated local problems. They can Treasurer all relate to these problems because they live them day to day. Their make-up Paul Heinzel is both Democrat and Republican. As a group – generally speaking – their bi- Executive Board partisanship is not only refreshing but also productive. As you can see in our Ryan Casey schedule of endorsements we cross party lines regularly – and for good reason. Sean Meehan Although we may not agree on all the issues, there is good general consensus James Peña and agreement on a number of them. Sean Plant The number one issue that drives our Business Offi ce and COPE Committee Dennis Shay deals with areas directly related to “Labor’s causes". We understand that the Keri Webster spectrum of political debate runs the gauntlet from guns and religion to school Examining Board vouchers and the future of Medicare. Believe us when we say all of those issues Patrick Bonziglia are important. But as a Labor organization, what’s important to many of us in Godfrey King the Union are those issues that directly affect our ability to produce high qual- A.J. McAteer ity, good paying jobs with the maximum amount of Labor protections we can Timothy McCarthy secure. Our issues concern “right to work” statutes, trade protections, Davis Michael W. Perez Bacon legislation, State prevailing rate laws, State and Federal job promoting Business Representatives legislation, PLA’S (both local and Federal), NLRB appointments and associated and areas they cover: decisions, the right to organize, Pension protection legislation and last but cer- Kevin Casey – Route 110 to William Floyd tainly not least, the right to collectively bargain for better wages and fringe Parkway, Brookhaven Lab, Testing and benefi ts. All of these issues have a direct effect on the Local Union’s ability Maintenance, Neon Sign and Maintenance. to provide work to our membership. On the surface, some members may not John Guadagno – William Floyd Parkway to think so. But believe me, as your Business Manager, I can tell you with utmost Montauk, Residential and Service, Organizer and certainty that is the case. What I have stated is all part of the business world Renewable/Green Energy Rep. not the electrical world. It is all part of what we see but you, as members of Jack Majkut – Organizer, Route 110 to City Line the rank and fi le may not. The purpose of this Conduit issue is to let you know and Specialty Agreements. which candidates – through their previous voting history – have been our Eugene Parrington–Chief Organizer, Political friends and which ones have not. Other issues may be of great concern to you. Action and Membership Development Committee. I understand that. But the problems and concerns associated with our industry Local Union representative to I.O. Organizing. bind us all together. It is the core of what labor stands for and what we hope James Wisdom–Organizer, to do is show you where our politicians stand on these issues. Simply put, are Telecommunications, Pump and Tank, Special they “friends or foes” of labor? Projects. (continued on page 5) Shut It Off -2- PRESIDENT’S REPORT BY MIKE O'GRADY LOCAL UNION 25 The Local 25 Annual Picnic was held on Saturday, September 15th at scenic CALENDAR Callahan’s Beach Park. This new location has tall shade trees, more open space, and gorgeous views of the Long Island Sound. The weather, the park Regular Meeting setting and all our Brothers and Sisters coming together made for a near perfect 7:00 PM day. My personal thanks to all the Brothers and Sisters that helped make the 2nd Tuesday each month day so special. Transportation help from Welsbach Electric, entertainment by Jordan Katz and his band and the clean-up crew all deserve a heartfelt Executive Board Meeting thank you. 7:00 PM The crunch time has arrived, just 30 days from this writing to Election Day. 1st & 3rd Thursday each month We as members of this great Local need only to examine the facts to see the clear choice in candidates. First, Mitt Romney has declared on his fi rst day as President he will do away with all Project Labor Agreements, Davis Bacon Laws, UNIT MEETINGS card signing regulations for protection of workers trying to unionize and anything Maintenance else his corporate sponsored Super Pac’s want. We will pay more taxes as middle 5:00 PM class Americans and the ultra rich will pay even less then they do now. Brothers 4th Thursday each month and Sisters the choice is clear. We in the Labor Movement need to re-elect Barak Obama as President of this great country. Let him continue to repair the damage Neon Sign infl icted by 8 years of George Bush as President.