The CarpenterFall 2014 NEW YORK CITY AND VICINITY DISTRICT COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS NYCDCC Welfare and Hollow Metal Funds Imp lement Improved Benefits Pg 2 BBLOWINGLOWING TTHEHE WWHISTLEHISTLE OONN PAYROLL FRAUD Pg 6 SOLIDARITY CONCRETE 9/11 SOFTBALL MMEMORIALEMORIAL ON THE TOURNAMENT BOOT CAMP SILVER SCREEN MMUSEUMUSEUM Pg 11 Pg 12 Pg 14 Pg 18 FALL 2014 THE CARPENTER 1 A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY-TREASURER JOSEPH GEIGER Brothers and Sisters, Every decision at all eligible Union Members, and are what our fellow the District Council Brothers and Sisters deserve. revolves around one While maintaining and improving benefi ts is a idea – How do we top priority, we are also looking to the future in terms make our Union of training. Comprehensive training and preparation stronger? We do this is required to be the best Carpenters around. We take in steps, building pride in putting a professional and productive workforce gradual progress to on the job sites; letting everyone know that if they want make sure that we are something built right, they come to us. Locally, we are always getting better rolling out a varied roster of new certifi cation courses to at attaining this goal. keep our Members the most knowledgeable and most Over the past few eff ective in their fi elds. We are also sending Members months, many exciting to the intensive, four-day program developed by the and benefi cial steps have been made in an eff ort to make UBC to give our Journey men and women a broader this goal a reality. Th is issue of Th e Carpenter magazine understanding of the importance they have in shaping highlights these new off erings, from the improved Member the future of our trade and our Union. We will continue benefi ts to new training opportunities both locally and with to implement these upgrades so that our members the International. remain the most skilled and valuable tradesmen and As Union Members, we should receive health women in the industry. benefi ts that are wide-ranging and competitive in today’s We have climbed a lot of steps, but there are world of carpentry. As a result, I am proud to announce always more ahead. We will keep moving upward with that the restoration of dental coverage is complete. Th e new our one goal in mind. With these improved programs, dental coverage will be through Aetna Dental Maintenance recovered benefi ts, and forward progress, I know that Organization (DMO), eff ective October 1, 2014. Along the foundation built today will support an even brighter with the restored dental there is also a 50% reduction in future. retiree premiums. Further, the Hollow Metal Trust Fund reinstated dental and vision benefi ts for Plan A participants. Fraternally, All of these benefi ts go into eff ect this fall, are available to NYCDCC Welfare Fund Restores Dental Coverage Hollow Metal Trust Fund and Reduces Reti ree Premiums by Fift y Percent Reinstates Dental, Vision Benefi ts for Plan A Parti cipants The NYCDCC Welfare Fund the Fund drop below a certain level, the On behalf of the Board of Trustees, approved a plan for the restoration of dental benefi ts reinstated under this agreement the Hollow Metal Trust Fund is pleased to coverage, as well as a fi fty percent reduction will be rescinded and only restored when the announce the reinstatement of dental and in retiree premiums. Th e reduction of retiree assets rise back to another predetermined vision benefits for Plan A participants, premiums became effective September level. Th e agreement states that, if reserves effective November 1, 2014. Vision 1, 2014, while the restoration of dental drop below seven (7) months, the dental and dental benefi ts had previously been coverage took eff ect October 1, 2014. benefi ts and the fi fty percent reduction in eliminated for Plan A participants in January The new dental coverage is retiree premiums will be rescinded on the of 2014, but the Board of Trustees was able through Aetna Dental Maintenance fi rst day of the next month. However, if the to approve a plan to reinstate these benefi ts Organization (DMO). Th e plan has no reserve then rises back to nine (9) months, at its most recent meeting. deductible and no annual limits, and the benefi ts will be restored on the fi rst For further information concerning provides one hundred percent coverage for day of the following month. Th e current the reinstatement of these benefi ts, Plan A “preventive” and “basic” dental procedures. reserve level of the NYCDCC Welfare participants should refer to the Summary of “Major” dental procedures are covered at Fund is approximately twelve (12) months. Material Modifi cations (“SMM”) that was eighty percent. Th e Benefi t Funds Offi ce will report the recently sent to them in the mail. Th e SMM Additionally, retiree premiums Welfare Fund Reserve number on an annual describes details of both the dental benefi t, were reduced by fi fty percent beginning basis, or more frequently if required, on the as well as the vision benefi t. September 1, 2014. Th e reduced payments NYCDCCBF website, www.nyccbf.com, If you have questions about these for retirees are refl ected in retiree statements. and in the Benefi ts Toolbox newsletter. benefi t changes, you can call the Hollow Lastly, it is important to note If you have any questions about Metal Trust Fund Offi ce at that the Board of Trustees also approved these benefi t changes, contact the Benefi t (212) 366-7880. the implementation of a “Reserve Trigger Funds’ Member Services Department at Point.” To avoid fi nancial issues in the (800) 529-FUND (3863) or (212) 366- future, it was decided that if the assets of 7373. 2 WWW.NYCDISTRICTCOUNCIL.ORG A MESSAGE FROM THE 2 > CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY-TREASURER 2 BENEFITS UPDATE Labor Unions serve the purpose of uniti ng workers so MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT AND 4 they can have dignity and rights in the workplace in order VICE PRESIDENT to achieve a life that is honorable. So that they can hold NEWS & NOTES // 5 their heads up every day when they go to work. MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Andrew Tilson Workers Unite! Film Festi val 7 POLITICAL ACTION MESSAGES FROM THE 8 INSPECTOR GENERAL AND CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER 10 RALLIES AROUND TOWN NEW CLASSES AT THE 16 LABOR TECHNICAL COLLEGE 17 UBC LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 6 BLOWING THE WHISTLE 11 SOLIDARITY ON THE 22 RECENT RETIREES ON PAYROLL FRAUD SILVER SCREEN 23 IN MEMORIAM > Stay Connected Address 395 Hudson St. New York, NY 10014 Website www.nycdistrictcouncil.org Email communicati [email protected] Phone 12 2014 ANNUAL SOFTBALL 14 CONCRETE BOOT CAMP 212-366-7500 TOURNAMENT Facebook New York City and Vicinity District Council of Carpenters Twitt er @CarpentersNYC Flickr fl ickr.com/nycdistrictcouncil YouTube youtube.com/nycdcc Communicati ons Communicati ons 18 9/11 MEMORIAL 20 2014 SUMMER PARADE Director Coordinator MUSEUM SEASON Liz McKenna Morgan Clarke FALL 2014 THE CARPENTER 3 MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT STEPHEN MCINNIS Brothers and Sisters, Th e New York City District communication is essential from the Council to you, but Council of Carpenters equally as important from you to the Council. We have continues to succeed despite many forums for Members to voice their feelings and the many challenges we face. opinions, and only when we make our voices heard are We succeed because of our we as strong a Union as possible. Only well-informed Brothers and Sisters, and we Members know how to ensure that the District Council is aim to keep the momentum serving their needs. I encourage you to attend your Local going by making sure all meetings, Delegate meetings, and to join in with District lines of communication, Council sponsored events such as our Annual Softball both traditional and modern, Tournament. Th is year, Prudential, Aetna, Empire, and are open and readily available Express Scripts were available to answer any questions you to the Members. may have regarding your benefi ts, just one of the ways we are improving our communications with our Membership. Th e District Council is in the process of rebuilding our Labor Management department which will be responsible We encourage you to stay informed and stay active. Visit for advertising the strength of our Union and its Members, the DC website for news, events, and Union updates. Your something that will help us to spotlight the hard work we do participation is crucial and can help shape the future of across the city. In today’s media conscious environment, it is our Union. important that our message of solidarity is loud and proud on the streets, and now on the screens as well. Fraternally, While it is important that we communicate to others the ongoing fi ght we face, it is also vitally important that we continue to communicate with each other. Good MICHAEL CAVANAUGH Brothers and Sisters, As summer comes to a with developers, agencies, and end-users. We do this to close, we look ahead to guarantee union employment for our members in various the projects that will carry markets and across all represented trades. Equally as us through the winter. Th e important is ensuring that our benefi t funds are suffi ciently projects we have forecasted maintained in order to continue to provide the hard-earned for the end of 2014 and benefi ts for Members and their families for decades to the beginning of 2015 come. Th anks to our diligent Business Representatives, will require hundreds of Organizing Department, and District Council staff , we thousands of work hours are able to mobilize the Council into action and serve the and will not only ensure Union’s diverse and unique needs.