COMMUNITY EVENTS BY BILL LEGRAND

During these past months though as uncertain times as these have been, one thing for certain is the bold direction your council leadership has taken, one that has returned Health benefit improvements, Membership growth, and Solid dividends in your Pensions, Annuity, and Work opportunities. We continue negotiating multiple contracts with outside or shop-style bargaining groups. Some have recently been ratified, some are still in negotiations. We had our master agreement expiring on June 30, 2021. The Union negotiating team was hoping to bring meaningful contract improvement to our membership, but management negotiators presented us their best and final: $6.00 over four years. On June 26, 2021, DC 35 leadership put the proposal to a floor vote of all members from 15 local unions. Overwhelmingly the members voted NO; we were now heading towards a STRIKE effective on July 1, 2021. Union and Management went back to the bargaining table looking for compromise, a more amicable agreement. We had to extend our contract one more day to July 1st in order to get this done. We negotiated an additional contract proposal to offer the entire membership; we set up the Boston’s Teachers hall for all locals to be in attendance for a ratification vote, which was accepted by the vast majority of members voting. We have an agreement of $9.60 over four years and averted a strike.

The Health, Pension, and Annuity Benefit funds investment strategies have closed with record interest in your Pension, Annuity, and Health funds, all double-digit interest percentages. We are seeing growth in the residential market and are attempting to acquire more contractors to see value in this market.

We have signed on additional Contractors and a General Contractor to our signatory list which will give more opportunities to all members. And in closing anything I can assist you with, please reach out to me any time on my cell 617-592-2224. Thank you! Have a Safe and Enjoyable Fall!