Newsletter Archive:
Newsletter
January 2012
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!!
Well here we are, starting off the New Year with hopes of a more work for a better year. The hours for last year were slightly better than 2010. In 2010, we worked 702,707 hours. In 2011, we are on track to work 716,859 hours, which would be a slight 2% increase for the year over the previous year. Now the month of December hours have not been turned in as of yet but I should have those hours to me by the next meeting. This year looks better than last year regarding job starts. There are a number of projects that should be coming out of the ground this year, so we are hopeful that by years end we will have had our members working on them.
At this month’s meeting, there were 5 resolutions that were read and turned over for the Executive Board to review. I ask each and every member of Local 709, whether you are working, out of work or retired to come out to the next couple of union meetings to listen to, discuss and then vote on these resolutions. A copy of the resolutions have been included with this mailing.
Also at the meeting, there have been calls of monies being misappropriated and questions as to why our general fund is down. As I stated in last month’s newsletter, the down economy has all matters down and we go through a thourough check with our yearly audit. Regarding the General Fund being down in 2010, some of the reasons were because the roof was totally redone and that came out of the General Fund because we had no money in the Building Fund. There were cries of why were attorney costs and association costs coming from other funds when it should come out of the General Fund and so those costs were shifted over. Our Picnic Fund has not had the needed funds to provide the picnic, even though reductions were made, so the funds had to come out of the General Fund. Our revenues were down because of less hours worked and less reinstatement fees being collected; even though our expenses had been reduced from 2009 levels. So these are some of the reasons why the General Fund is lower in 2010 than 2009. We just had Miller, Kaplan, Arase and Company here in the office last week conducting their audit and in their words, there are no problems nor issues with any of our funds and they wished more Local Unions were as good as ours in how we conduct business. More information to follow later regarding the current audit.
A Special Called Meeting for the Second Reading of the Resolutions.
Special Called Meeting Monday, February 13th, 2012 @ 5:30pm
In the James J Duffy III Meeting Hall at 12140 Rivera Road, Whittier
For the Second Reading of the Resolutions
We are still in need of food for the food drive. Please help out if you can, as we are in need of cereal, canned beef, canned tuna, canned chicken, pasta and pasta sauce. We have begun to distribute the food any day that the front office is open. If you are an out of work member and need some help, please come in. We started this drive as another way to help our members that are out of work.
Reminder that NASI will be sending out new insurance cards, due to the change in dental coverage from DNoA to Delta Dental. There are 2 Delta Dental plans, Premier and PPO. NASI will take either plan, with the PPO plan giving both NASI and the member a higher discount. Delta Dental's Customer Service Department is open from 8a-8p EST and can be reached at (800) 932-0783. They have tailored a website especially for us at www.deltadentalins.com/nasi/
Apprenticeship Applications will be taken the week of March 5th-9th from 9a-1p. If you know of someone interested in the trade, please give them the ionformation. A copy of the notice has been included in this mailing.
Reminder: Per the 2011 General Convention, UA Per Capita Dues have increased by $2, beginning January 1st, 2012.
Monthly (base) dues are as follows:
| Building Trades Journeymen and Apprentices | $28 per month | |
| Retirees prior to age 65 | $22 per month | |
| Members that reach age 65 after 12/31/11, effective the month after 65th birthday | $20 per month | |
| Retirees age 65 between 1/1/07 and 12/31/11 | $20 per month | |
| All other Retirees | No Change | |
| Residential members | $26 per month |
We had 7 deaths in 2011, so the Death Assessment for 2011 will be $21. Please remember that the death assessment is due and payable before any monies are applied to monthly dues.
While on the subject of Automatic Withdrawal, please remember that if you are having the exact amount withdrawn and sent in, remember that usually the first couple of payments sent in will be applied first to the death assessment before being applied to your monthly dues amount. This is a reminder so you do not fall behind on your dues and possibly receive a Re-instatement fee. Remember to either send in an additional payment or increase the amount sent in each month.
Tax Statements from Union Yes Credit Union regarding hourly dues payments for 2011, were mailed out the week of January 9th.
Tax Statements from the Local Union regarding monthly dues payments will be mailed out by the end of the month.
Reminder to all Foremen – According to the new contract language, you must take 9 hours of trade related Journeyman Training classes to achieve the top foreman’s rate of pay - $4.75. Otherwise, you will only receive the foreman’s rate of $2.00. This requirement takes effect in March 1st, 2012. All classes now require that you be registered for the class, due to class size limitations. Please call the JAC to register for any Journeyman Training class. All class verifications will come from the Local Union office. An updated class schedule is enclosed.
Target Wage Rate Work – A reminder to those of you that are working on targeted projects. If you have been notified by this office of a targeted project which your company has and you are working on the project, then you should keep all pay stubs that show all hours worked on the targeted project and bring them to the union office so that Maribel or Judy can make copies of them to adjust your hourly dues here at the hall. The hourly dues will only be adjusted for those hours and credited to your monthly base dues. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Everyone should have received the notice from NASI regarding next year’s benefits. If you did not receive your notice, please contact the NASI office for a copy.
If there are any members in need of income tax preparation or family assistance service, please contact the office so that we may direct you to the help that is being provided.
The California State Pipe Trades Council is offering $2500 scholarships to members children. For an application and contest rules, please visit their website at www.calpipes.org. If you do not have Internet access, please call the front office and we will mail one to you.
A Reminder to all 709 members: Death benefit beneficiary information should be current and updated regularly. We may only distribute the death benefit to whomever is listed as the beneficiary and no one else. Please call the front office to double check this very important information.
We would like to Welcome Aboard a New Contractor – Aegis Fire Protection Company. We wish them the best and look forward to a long working relationship.
We are saddened to report the passing of Brother Manuel Rivera. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this time of loss. He will be missed.
Please download these important documents:
Click the Resolutions image for more information.
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Click the Bill Pay image for the form and more information.
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Fraternally yours,
Michael P. Huerta
Business Manager/Financial Secretary
Dates to Remember:
February 13, 2012 – Special Called Meeting for the Second Reading of the Resolutions at the Hall @ 5:30pm
February 22, 2012 – Retiree Potluck / Bingo at the Hall @ 5:00pm
