THE LABOR MOVEMENT UNDER ATTACK RECORD JANUS RULING BY SUPREME COURT A VICTORY FOR PLUTOCRATS, WE MUST FIGHT BACK, NOW MORE THAN EVER LOCAL 1-2

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1 THE RECORD LABOR MOVEMENT UNDER ATTACK JANUS RULING BY SUPREME COURT A VICTORY FOR PLUTOCRATS, WE MUST FIGHT BACK, NOW MORE THAN EVER LOCAL 1-2 VOL. LXI, No. 547 SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2018

2 The Record LOCAL 1-2 The Next Union Generation Speaks Over the last two months, I have learned more than I thought I would. I ve learned the differences between arbitration and grievances, and how to properly file the documents. I also learned some new tech tips. The environment here is extremely friendly and family like. Even though I only interned I always felt the professionalism and was always treated in a professional manner.- Samori Covington, Intern, Local 1-2, Summer 2018 UWUA Local The Version of the Record is Here! Get your copy in Color: UWUA Local 1-2 UWUA_Local_1_2 uwualocal12 ALSO Follow us at: Record Newsletter You can also Sign Up for our mobile text alerts by: Texting: UWUA to You can also stop at any time by Texting: clear to Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2 James Slevin President James Shillitto Vice President John Capra Secretary-Treasurer Senior Business Agents Anthony Pedagna Vincent Kyne Darryl K. Taylor Business Agents James Bambina Joseph Caradonna Craig Dickson Emilio Frederick Thomas Martin William Smith Jean Washington Financial Observers Kevin Byfield William House Michael McCann Executive Board Chairman - William Connolly Secretary - Christopher Katzmann Paul Caminiti Vito Carbonara Cheryl Covington Michael Crispino Dorothy Curry Robert DeMascio Frank Dominguez Robert Griffin Ricardo Irizarry Linda Lesnewski Archangelo Minetti Frank Morales Milagros Valentin-Grantham Editor James Slevin Your Views And Comments Are Welcome Norman Russell Raymond Sherwood James Spry John Stadtmuller Rocco Talarico Justo Vega Richard Velocci Marc Vingelli Frank Vivola Robert Vuono Robert DeMascio 2

3 A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT JAMES T. SLEVIN By James T. Slevin As most of you know, the United States Supreme Court in Janus v AFSCME decided in June that not paying your fair share to a Union representing, bargaining and defending you in the workplace is really an exercise in free speech. But as in all things, as Deep Throat famously told Woodward and Berstein as they investigated Watergate: Follow the money. And this is what Janus comes to precisely, a huge expenditure of money by plutocrats to undermine all Unions. Mark Janus was just a stooge for the monied interests. In fact, the poor schmuck even said he had nothing against his Union, and stated publicly he supported Unions. But, he was singled out because he did not want any of his dues going toward supporting AFSCME s political activities. This is where the Big Bucks enter in the guise of the National Right to Work Foundation, a network of corporate interests and the billionaires that control them. In Mark Janus they got the perfect buffoon to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to undermine the right for men and women to join together as one under a Union banner to seek better pay, safe working conditions, a retirement plan, health insurance and so many other workplace issues for all workers. Let s make one thing clear, this was not about free speech at all. Workers covered under collective bargaining agreements negotiated for them by a Union can opt out from paying certain Union costs. What Janus really means to public sector Unions is that in most states they will not get automatic dues check-offs collected by the state. Instead they will have to bill each member. You can imagine that this will choke off funds to the Union. It will become a case of members choosing against their own self-interest by forgetting to pay their dues. Fortunately, New York State public sector Members will not be affected because New York is still strong for Unions. If you need more evidence that Con Edison or Entergy or any of our other employers don t want the same for themselves, then you haven t been paying attention. The Janus ruling was a direct strike on the middleclass in our nation. Brothers and Sisters across America will be hurting as they lose the protections the collective actions of a Union provide. Think carefully about what these means for your job in the coming months. Get ready, because they re coming for us next! Men and women fought and died for our right to organize, for our right to join a Union, for our right to demand, with one, unified voice, better conditions for ourselves and our families and a fair share of the wealth we created. The Boss is Not Your Friend! 3

4 A MESSAGE FROM OUR VICE PRESIDENT JAMES SHILLITTO We hope the spring and summer months since our last Membership Meeting in May finds you and your families rested, relaxed and ready to return to Union action. First, since you will be reading this before Labor Day, please come and join your Local 1-2 Brothers and Sisters at the Labor Day Parade up Fifth Ave. on Saturday, September 8. Look at the full-page notice elsewhere in this issue of The Record. As President Slevin pointed out in his column, the truth is that deep-pocketed billionaires are spending millions upon millions of dollars to gut the Labor Movement, kill Unions and pick off each worker one by one. The Janus ruling has been in their sights for decades. And it is money and more money and the ability to outspend any Union at any time that gives them the patience to take back our workplace rights piece by piece. They can wait us out. This is one compelling reason to come to the Labor Day Parade and show your solidarity. In today s world if our show of force is low turnout and low-key the public will not pay any attention. It s no secret that the owners of every media outlet in New York City gives scant attention to Laboy anymore. Remember, there was a time when Labor was reported on because our actions affect so many. We know the reporters and editors are on our side, but these days of fake news the owners pointedly put the kibosh on any positive Labor news. If we want to maintain the right to be Union Members who can stand up to the Bosses with one voice, there is no better time to show the Bosses who we are than marching as one under our own banner. This is a fight for you and your families. There is no way to overstate how dire our predicament has become. The anti-labor forces are coming for us, as President Slevin warned. Join him in pushing back against these forces that are steeped in greed and little regard for anyone else. As the Janus decision will show us, by taking away a Union s ability to collect a fair share from everyone it represents, it will set off asphyxiation by apathy to all Unions across the land. So, if you enjoy the benefits of being a Local 1-2 Member and want to provide for you and yours, now and in the future, there is no better way to ensure that outcome than to show up when asked. Be at the Labor Day Parade. Be at the September Membership Meeting. Get involved. Apathy is lethal! 4

5 2018 NEW YORK CITY LABOR DAY PARADE & MARCH NYC IS A UNION TOWN SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH PARADE STEPS OFF FROM E.47TH ST. BETWEEN 5TH & VANDERBILT AVE. 11:30 AM LOCAL 1-2 JAMES SLEVIN PRESIDENT UWUA LOCAL 1-2 CONTACT # NEW YORK TWITTER.COM/UWUA_LOCAL_1_2 FACEBOOK.COM/UWUA.LOCAL12 5

6 FOR UNIONS AND FRIENDS OF LABOR LABOR MASS WE CELEBRATE THE DIGNITY OF THE WORKER SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH CATHEDRAL OF SAINT PATRICK FIFTH 51ST STREET 8:30 AM LOCAL 1-2 NEW YORK JAMES SLEVIN PRESIDENT UWUA LOCAL 1-2 NOTE: PLEASE BRING YOUR ORGANIZATION S BANNER (WITH STANDS) & ARRIVE AT 8:00AM FOR THE OPENING PROCESSIONAL FOR INFORMATION CALL:

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9 Local 1-2 Joins with Con Edison to Honor Those Who Died for Our Nation This year Local 1-2 and Con Edison joined in a united Memorial Day commemoration across the company. Memorial Day ceremonies were held in yards and offices to remember those who gave their lives for us. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. Abraham Lincoln Nov

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13 JAMES GEOGHAN AWARD 2018 Local 1-2 honored Anthony Salomon with the 2018 James Geoghan Award, given to the Steward who represents the highest standards of Brotherhood, Integrity and Selflessness set by our late Brother James Geoghan. President Slevin presented Salomon the award at the May Membership Meeting. RETIREE SAYS GOODBYE Senior Business Agent Darryl Taylor stopped by 511 in Rye to wish a farewell to Brother John Condon after 34 years in ESD for Con Edison. 13

14 DESPITE JANIS, NEW YORK IS A UNION TOWN, UNIONS TURN OUT IN FORCE This past Spring as the US Supreme Court was deliberating the Janis v AFSME case, Union Leaders in New York City sponsored a gathering in Foley Square to show the world that New York is Union Country! 14

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19 Scenes From The Last Meeting 19

20 UTILITY WORKERS UNION OF AMERICA Local 1-2, Affiliated with AFL-CIO 5 West 37th Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY DATED MATERIAL - DELIVER IMMEDIATELY X1114 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID NEW YORK, N.Y. PERMIT NO UNION MEETING LOCAL 1-2 UTILITY WORKERS UNION OF AMERICA, A.F.L. - C.I.O. MEMBERSHIP MEETING PLACE: THE HIGH SCHOOL OF FASHION INDUSTRIES 225 WEST 24TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY (BETWEEN 7TH & 8TH AVENUES) DATE: SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 TIME: 6:15 P.M ADMISSION ONLY TO MEMBERS IN GOOD STANDING BY UNION CARD OR COMPANY I.D. CARD Fraternally, John Capra Secretary-Treasurer