years Vol. 72, #8/AUGUST 2014 For The Good & Welfare By Russ Burns, business manager Anniversary Celebration a HUGE success As we continue celebrating Local allowing us to have a last weekend CONTENTS 3’s 75 years of member representation, together with Local 3.” Congratulations, pin recipients ............ 4 I hope you pay special attention to Our thoughts and prayers go out the coverage in this edition of our to his family. Thomas exemplifies Hawaii endorsements ....................... 6 Diamond Anniversary Event held perfectly what a union member is. Fringe .......................................... 7 on June 28 at Six Flags Discovery He was proud of his career operating ATPA ............................................ 7 Kingdom in Vallejo, Calif. More than cranes and barges, and he wanted his Public Employee News ...................... 8 5,500 Local 3 members, own family to experience their families and his union family. I am Credit Union ................................. 10 friends spent the day glad that he got his wish. Rancho Murieta .............................. 11 watching the exclusive Good things happen Looking at Labor ............................ 12 Local 3 shows that when we come together. Safety ......................................... 13 included tigers, dolphins This is what unionism is. and sea lions, riding the Several recent successes Unit 12 ........................................ 13 rollercoasters and water have resulted because of Organizing .................................... 14 rides and enjoying the our solidarity. President How does Local 3 celebrate 75 years? ... 15 all-you-could-eat lunch. Obama signed the Water 75 years strong .............................. 19 Everyone I talked Resources Reform and District Reports .............................. 20 to said the event was Development Act in a success, including Retiree Richard Thomas enjoys June, which equates to Meetings and Announcements ............. 27 Local 3’s 75th Anniversary members who flew inCelebration at Six Flags with his 24 miles of levees in the Health News ................................. 30 from Hawaii, Retirees granddaughter, Abigail, on June Natomas area (District Swap Shop .................................... 31 who also celebrated the 28. Thomas passed away two 80) being strengthened union’s 50th anniversary days later. at a price-tag of $760 in 1989 at the same million. Prior gridlock park and even a member who in Congress had put the legislation Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3 helped construct the park’s dolphin in limbo, but thanks to pressure Russ Burns Business Manager enclosure and many of its major from labor groups and several Local Carl Goff President rides. 3-endorsed politicians, it finally got Dan Reding Vice President What struck me the most about the green light. In Fresno (District the day was that even though this 50), several signatories have started Jim Sullivan Rec. Corres. Secretary union conducts a lot of business, work on the High-Speed Rail (HSR) Pete Figueiredo Financial Secretary we can come together in a relaxed project, performing drilling for test Steve Ingersoll Treasurer setting and just have fun. I met a piles and some demolition, and this lot of members I’ve not had the would not have been possible if not opportunity to meet before – some for the support of our membership Engineers News Staff who maybe never knew what kind of in that area. In Hawaii (District Russ Burns Editor a community Local 3 really is. I hope 17), drilling crews with Kiewit are Carl Goff Editorial Adviser they now have a better understanding working two shifts on the Honolulu Mandy McMillen Managing Editor about the value of involvement and Rail project, which was also possible Jamie Johnston Associate Editor that Local 3 really is one big family. I because of our political activism. Dominique Beilke Art Director also hope to see some of those newer These are just a few examples of what faces at the upcoming Semi-Annual happens when we work together. Event on Sept. 21 in Rancho Please see this month’s District www.oe3.org Murieta. (For more details about the Reports for more. Engineers News (ISSN 1069-2185) is published monthly Semi-Annual, see page 27.) With this in mind, I want to urge by Local 3 of the International Union of Operating The 75th Anniversary Event was our District 17 members to check out Engineers, AFL-CIO; 1620 South Loop Rd., Alameda, bittersweet for the family of Retiree our recommendations in this edition CA 94502. Periodical postage paid at Alameda, CA Richard Thomas, as two days after for Hawaii’s Aug. 9 Primary Election. and additional mailing offices. Engineers News is sent without charge to all members of Operating Engineers attending it with his family, Thomas Please do your part and vote to keep Local 3 in good standing. Non-member subscription passed away. According to his our union strong – 75 years strong! price is $6 per year. POSTMASTER: Send address son-in-law, Jonathan, the celebration It’s hard to believe that this year is changes to Address Change, 1620 South Loop Rd., at the park was very important to more than halfway over. But in some Alameda, CA 94502. Thomas, as the union meant a lot to districts, the work is just beginning. him. “I think it is very fitting that it Please go to a District Meeting in your was his last outing,” said Jonathan. area to find out when and where the “His last weekend was filled with projects are and what your union is family, friends and good memories. doing for you. See the schedules for Thank you for hosting the event and these meetings and more on page 28. 2 | Engineers News Report & Review By Carl Goff, president WWW.OE3.ORG Don’t miss the upcoming Want more Operating Engineers news? Visit Semi-Annual Sept. 21 Local 3’s website at www.oe3.org for some exclusive features we only post online. I want to thank all of you employer O.C. Jones & for coming to Local 3’s 75th Sons, Inc. This company, Anniversary Event at Six Flags. which specializes in grading, More photos from the celebration! It was obvious that everyone had excavating, paving and Local 3’s 75th Anniversary Celebration was a great time, including me and demolition in Northern and so much fun, we all the officers. (I particularly Central California, has been couldn’t fit all the enjoyed the go-cart racing, even signatory to Local 3 since 1965. photos in just three if I didn’t finish in the lead!) It Currently, the company can pages (see pages was nice to visit with members be found working in Yountville 15-17). Make sure in such a fun atmosphere and (Fairfield District 04). See you visit us online talk about things other than our District Reports for more for more fun shots contracts and the Pension. This information. The company like this one of union has so much to be proud was also one of the signatories 21-year member of, especially its membership. involved in the construction Matthew Gardner, We should also be proud of of the new eastern span of the who attended the top-notch training centers San Francisco-Oakland Bay the event on his we have across our four-state Bridge, which is fitting, since birthday! Just click jurisdiction. In late June, we O.C. Jones placed the asphalt on the “Engineers officially closed on the new on the original bridge back in News” tab at the top of our home page, then on training property in California the 1970s. the “Photo Galleries” tab at the left! (Sacramento County), and we Not only is Local 3 full of have already started moving history but so are the signatory equipment onto the site, which companies that keep us Where were you when you got your pin? will offer us year-round training working. By now, the members on land that is nearly 30 times who purchased tickets to the This month’s Engineers News includes the size of our current property! 75th Anniversary Event have another one of our popular pin spreads, honoring It seems 2014 is a big year for received or soon will receive some of the Local 3 members who earned a service anniversaries, as the California the special commemorative pin in the last few months. But we can only fit Apprenticeship Council (CAC) program in the mail as our these members’ headshots in the magazine, so is also celebrating its Diamond gift to you. This is a special visit us online to see the whole photo. Simply Anniversary this year, which publication, so I hope you will click on the “Service Award Galleries” icon on means that for 75 years, the view it as a keepsake. The the left-hand side of our home page. council has been ensuring the history and photos included are safety and economic well-being fascinating. From the union’s of apprentices. I have served original signatories to a 75-year Going once … going twice … sold! on the CAC board since 2007, running timeline, you will want The Engineers News’ Swap Shop section representing the labor-union to read it from cover to cover. To is an invaluable tool for members, as they can side of apprenticeship standards. view it online, visit our website market their items to a specific audience. And If you are interested in knowing at www.oe3.org. it works! Merchandise is sold left and right. Just more about this council and the The cover of this month’s ask member John Yeghoian: regulations/legislation regarding Engineers News highlights the “The quads finally sold [in your Swap Shop apprenticeship in California, theme of the year – 75 – and section]. Thank you very much for your help. The visit the CAC’s website at also the upcoming Semi-Annual money will go for a good cause, as my son, also www.dir.ca.gov/cac/cac.html.