Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We are a quarter of the way into the year and it is already proving to be as hectic as last year.

On December 20, 2007 the Fire Department of the City of New York held a public forum on the revision of the New York City fire code.  We managed to maintain the current requirements for our certifications and licenses and protect our members’ jurisdictions. Our gratitude goes to the members of the City Council and the Real Estate Board of New York (RAB) that came out to support us.   We would also like to thank all the members who participated at the meeting, as well as on the Fire Department’s website in support of the Union’s position.  Our presence was so strong and noticeable that the Fire Department acknowledged our attendance and stated that the code would not affect our jobs.  We would like to stress that this issue is on-going.  In three years the code will come up for review again and we must stay on top of any changes that may occur that may jeopardize our livelihoods.

Another recent issue in our industry is the introduction of micro-turbines.  We have been successful lobbying the City Council, as well as utilizing our relationship with the Fire Department in creating a certification for operation of this equipment.  Local 94 will continue to be involved in future development of licenses and certifications.

As proven in the Fire Department public forum and the development of micro-turbine certifications, we need all the political support we can get in our City and State governments.  This is why the Political Action Fund is so important.  This year the majority of the seats are becoming available in the City Council and we’re going to need to develop relationships with the new group.  For those of you who have already participated in the Political Action Fund we would like to thank you for your support.  We urge all those who have not joined to get in touch with your Business Agent and sign up.  We realize that it seems like one thing comes up after another, but these are perfect examples of why we need to expand our Political Action Fund.

REMINDER:  PLEASE REMEMBER TO REGISTER TO VOTE FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER, 2008. 

EVERY UNION VOTE COUNTS!

Our School Contract expired October, 2007.  We had our first meeting with the Office of Labor Relations and the Department of Education on January 23, 2008 to start negotiations for a new contract.  On March 25, 2008 a special meeting was held for the School Division to put together proposals for the new contract.  There was a huge turnout and we would like to thank everyone who attended.  Our next negotiations will be with the Office of Labor Relations and the Department of Education on April 16, 2008.  We will keep you informed of our progress.  We are continuing to pursue the wage determination with the Comptroller’s Office regarding our school members.  They have been out visiting various schools, office buildings and power plants to compare the various positions in all these locations.  We are hoping their determination is favorable for our school members.

Starting October, 2007 we have had three General Membership meetings a day to try to accommodate those members who work various shifts and were previously not able to attend the General Membership meetings.  Although the turnout has not been overwhelming, we will continue to have monthly meetings at 8:30a.m, 2:00p.m. and 6:00p.m. for an additional six months.  Please make every effort to attend so that everyone will be equally informed to what is going on in Local 94.

By the time you receive this newsletter you will have received your 2007 Annuity Statement.  We are pleased that the 2007 investment return enabled the Trustees to declare 5.71% return for the year.  The transition of the Annuity Fund to Putnam Investments is complete.  The process went smoothly and the website is up and running and contains important information.  You can access your account either by logging onto ibenefitcenter.com or calling Putnam Investments directly at 1-877-UNION-44.  All the educational seminars were successful and we will be announcing future seminars for those who would like to attend.  For more information, please see Trish Sheehan’s article in this issue.

Due to the hard work of the Health Fund Trustees, the Administrator and the Chief Financial Officer our health fund is experiencing better savings and benefits for our members.  We have re-negotiated a new contract with Blue Cross with substantial savings and implemented the Sele-Dent PPO which has enhanced the dental benefits considerably, offering members participating providers in a far greater area than previously available.  The Trustees are in the process of a RFP for a prescription benefit manager.  We will continue to strive to provide you with the most cost efficient coverage possible.

The Trustees are pleased to announce Annette Hassell, has joined the Health & Benefit Fund staff as the Assistant Fund Administrator.  Ms. Hassell comes to us from Empire Blue Cross with over twenty four years of healthcare experience.  We are looking forward to having her extensive experience at work for our members and their families.

Once again, to meet the needs of our forever changing industry, Local 94’s Training Fund has met the challenge.  During the Fall semester, and from now on we will offer the Critical System Course, Mechanical Drafting as well as our fifteen college credit program.  For the Spring semester we will be offering the Green High Performance Course.  Please contact the Training Fund to register for these exciting new courses.  We will keep revising and adding courses as our industry changes. Members are encouraged to take the courses and enhance their skill set.

The Twelfth Annual Dinner Dance was held on Friday, January 11, 2008 at Russo’s on the Bay.  We would once again like to congratulate all the recipients and their proud families.  Thank you to all the members and vendors who made this evening so successful. Special thanks to John Kramer and Michael Gadaleta for another sold out event.

We would like to remind you of three upcoming events:

• 14^th Annual Spring 2008 Golf Outing to be held on Monday, May 12, 2008 at La Tourette and South Shore Country Clubs.  If you would like to reserve a foursome, please contact Jack Redden at 212-245-7935.
• The Local 94 Pipe Band will be marching on Sunday, May 25, 2008 in a Memorial Day Parade.  This parade is being held at Highlands Mills, New York at 12:30 p.m. and on Monday, May 26, 2008 in Woodside-Queens, New York at 9:30 a.m.  All are welcome to come and show support for our talented pipers and drummers.

• The 28^th Annual Family Scholarship Fund Picnic will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2008 at the Platzl Brau Haus in Pomona, New York.  For tickets contact John Kramer at 212-245-7904 and for journal information contact Mike Gadaleta at 212-245-9649.

Our Annual Service Award Ceremony will be held on June 11, 2008 at the 6:00 p.m. Membership Meeting.   This award ceremony will be held in conjunction with the June General Membership meeting and will honor members with 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 years of loyal service to Local 94.  At this meeting we will also be celebrating the retirement of two special women on our staff—Pat MacInnes and Loraine Corrao.  Pat has been with us for 25 years and Loraine has been with us for 20 years.  Both of these extraordinary women have been loyal, dedicated employees and a friend to all of us at Local 94.  We hope you will join us for the award ceremony and to honor Pat and Loraine.  The 8:30a.m. and 2:00p.m. meetings will go on as scheduled.

Be Aware:
It has come to our attention, that a company by the name of Ngenox has been promoting its ability to operate and maintain BMS and ELV systems from remote locations in India, the Middle East, United Kingdom and the United States.  I am sure this is one of many companies making a claim to be able to operate building systems in this manner.  Please notify us if you hear about this or any other company making this claim.  Once again, this is an attack on our profession and we have to stop it before it is too late.

In conclusion, I would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy summer!