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Thousands of new construction jobs expected in Washington
The state construction budget bill signed into law by Governor Gregoire on April 23rd will fund local workforce development and infrastructure projects, while also creating an estimated 18,000 jobs statewide. Learn more about the newly approved construction budget: SB 5127
IUOE Local 302 Goverment Affairs Director, Randy Loomans and Business Agent Gabriel Chavez attend the signing of Senate Bill 5127 on April 23, 2012
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Congressional Endorsement
Local 302 recently endorsed 1st Congressional District candidate Suzan Delbene. In his endorsement statement, Local 302 Business Manager Daren Konopaski said, "The new 1st Congressional District is large and diverse. And to defeat an anti-worker, extreme Tea Party candidate like John Koster, working families will need a candidate that has broad appeal and can build a large coalition. Suzan stands out as the candidate who has the experience, progressive values and leadership to get the job done.” Delbene for Congress press release
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Scholarship Opportunity
Applications are now being accepted for the Jack McDonald Memorial Scholarship (school year 2012-2013). Applicants must be high school seniors who are children or grandchildren of Local 302 members. Scholarship awards will include two scholarships of $1,500 and four scholarships of $1,000. Completed applications must be received no later than June 30, 2012. Scholarship winners will be announced in July 2012. Open the link below to download and print the scholarship application. Jack McDonald Memorial Scholarship Application
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Alaska Offices now accepting member dues payments
Local 302 Alaska offices are now able to process member dues payments. If you reside in Alaska, please call or stop by one of the following offices to make your dues payment by credit card or debit card. Only Visa or Mastercard credit cards, or debit cards with the Visa or Mastercard logo can be accepted.
Anchorage (907) 561-5288
Fairbanks (907) 452-8131
Juneau (907) 586-3850
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2012 Alaska Legislative Priorities Report
The oil tax debate in Juneau will be at center stage Gov. Sean Parnell and North Slope producers argue the state’s high tax rate impedes new investment particularly in the large operating fields. Unlike the exploration underway, where it will take several years to bring new oil into production, major producers like BP and ConocoPhillips say new production can be established relatively quickly in the large producing fields if the state can offer tax relief to encourage new development. Parnell’s bill to adjust the tax, HB 110, passed the state House in 2011 and is now in the state Senate. There’s reason to be optimistic about some movement on this. In a recent talk to Commonwealth North, an Alaska business and policy group, Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, said the Senate will develop a compromise tax proposal to the House-passed bill that will focus on a formula in the production tax that sharply escalates the tax rate at high oil price ranges. Stevens’ remarks and similar statements by Sen. Bert Stedman, Republican from Sitka who is co chair of the Finance Committee, signal a possible breakthrough in the political impasse that developed over the oil tax bill in 2011. (This is a Catch 22. If HB 110 were to pass then the State of Alaska would be giving the oil companies an estimated $2 billion tax break which would have originally gone into Alaska’s savings account. That money is usually used for the capital budget which would affect infrastructure projects in Alaska. HB110 also doesn’t guarantee more work for Alaskans on the North Slope. On the other hand, the oil companies say that if this bill doesn’t pass, they would be forced to do business somewhere else and there would be less oil going through the Alaska Pipeline, possibly forcing it to shut down. At this time Local 302 is staying neutral and waiting to see what the Senate will develop as a compromise tax proposal.) State-funded transportation program HB30 is a bill that would establish the state-funded program, create a board to oversee the project selection and provide a funding mechanism. The mechanism would direct revenue from state motor fuel tax and motor vehicle registration fees to an endowment fund that would manage and distribute annual funding into the transportation program. There is also a similar bill 37 sponsored by Senator Joe Thomas that would create a transportation fund to help fund Alaska’s infrastructure. (Local 302 supports both of these bills. The transportation program will create jobs for our members and the additional funds would ensure that the State of Alaska wouldn’t have to rely on federal grants in the future.)
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Upcoming Training Center Classes
May 19 - Hazmat Refresher Course
July 21 - Hazmat Refresher Course
*Courses are available to all IUOE Local 302 and 612 members. Priority will be given to those members who have worked out of the hall for the past 2 years.
Rigger Qualification Classes
Attend a 1 day class to receive your Rigger Qualification card. Card is portable and valid for 5 years. Rigger classes will be offered July 14, 15, 21 and 22.
*Courses are available to all IUOE Local 302 and 612 members. Priority will be given to those members who have worked out of the hall for the past 2 years.
Please contact the Ellensburg Training Center at (509) 968-3203 to register for these training classes, and for class times and locations.
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Unions can go a long way in restoring middle class America
New state income data released September 22, 2011 by the U.S. Census Bureau shows the importance of unions to boosting incomes for all middle-class households—union and nonunion alike. The 2010 income data makes it clear that strong unions are a critical factor in creating a middle-class society. Restoring the strength of unions would go a long way toward rebuilding the middle class. As Unions Weaken, So Does the Middle Class
from the Center for American Progress Action Fund
Six Ways Unions Build a Strong Middle Class
from the Center for American Progress Action Fund
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Building tomorrow's workforce
Sound Transit works with labor unions and other partners to support apprenticeship and training programs to help build tomorrow’s construction workforce. Shown here is Frank Warren (right), an apprentice in the Operating Engineers Regional Training Program, teaching a high school student how to operate a Bobcat during a hands-on career exploration day. If you'd like to learn more about what's happening at Sound Transit, visit the CEO Corner at www.soundtransit.org.
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Juneau Access Improvements Project Moves Forward
This critical infrastructure project for Juneau and Southeast Alaska will increase transportation capacity and reduce travel time, according to Alaska Governor Sean Parnell. It will also create jobs for Alaska Operating Engineers.
Full details are contained in the State of Alaska DOT & Public Facilities press release
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Taking down a Northwest legend: Husky Stadium
Operators began demolition work on the UW Husky Stadium this month. The demo work is expected to be completed by the end of January 2012. More photos can be found in the Photo Gallery section on this website.
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Customized cutting tool reduces construction time
on Southern Mile project
An unidentified Operator stands next to the BCM 10 cutter soil mixing tool developed by Malcolm Drilling. This specialized tool is being used to cut the underground cell walls that will help support the new elevated highway, which will eventually replace the "Southern Mile" portion of the existing Alaskan Way viaduct. For more details, click on the link below.
DJC article
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Local 302 headquarters in downtown Seattle, circa 1950. A collection of historical photos is posted to the Photo Gallery page. |
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Project Help
According to the Washington State Labor Council, workers in the construction industry are making a common mistake when they file for Workers' Compensation that ends up causing a denial of the claim, or significant delays in receiving the requested compensation. On the Report of Accident form, injured workers are listing their Union as their Employer because they are dispatched. This is not the correct thing to do. If you need to file a workers' compensation claim due to an on-the-job injury, your Employer is the Contractor you worked for at the time the injury occurred.
For more information and assistance in completing the workers' compensation forms, please visit the Project Help section of the WSLC website.
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NCA Responds to Inaccurate Laborers Assertions
In a recent newsletter to LIUNA members, Laborers Local 242 Business Manager Dale Cannon claimed that the National Construction Alliance (NCA) - an alliance of the Operators and Carpenters - is trying to "raid" other construction unions. This is not at all true nor is Mr. Cannon's opinion based on any facts or evidence. The NCA has formulated a reply to Mr. Cannon's allegations that you can read here:
NCA Response to Dale Cannon
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A Message about our Pension Trust from the Operating Engineers Local 302 The current financial market crisis has caused anxiety for savers and investors, and retirement plan participants. We want you to know that your Board of Trustees have been discussing these issues with our financial experts and we want to share with you why we feel your pension program is safe and secure. The broad stock market lost nearly 40% over the last year. This followed five years of a very strong market compounding at 13% per year. Market declines of this magnitude are traumatic but not unique. They happened most recently in 2001-02 and before that in 1973-74. This decline has been driven by a meltdown of the Sub Prime Mortgage Market. It has brought down large financial institutions including Bear Stearns, Lehman, Washington Mutual and Wachovia, and restructured many others: Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, AIG, and Merrill Lynch. Congress has passed dramatic legislation and the Federal Reserve has acted to support a recovery of the banking and financial industry. Most believe the recovery will happen but that the volatility is not over yet. Previous recoveries in 2003 and 1975 resulted in dramatic rebounds of the markets. The Trustees of the Operating Engineers Pension Plan maintain a broadly diversified investment portfolio. It is constructed in a manner that is consistent with the long-term actuarial assumptions that underlie the Plan’s benefit structure. Due to the investment program’s design and professional oversight and monitoring, it has been successful throughout the years and in all types of market conditions. For the past 5 years it earned 12.9% per year ranking in the top 5% of other plans. The Trustees employ an asset valuation method that provides for the “smoothing out” of fluctuations in the value of invested assets due to market volatility over time. Participants should also take comfort in the fact that the Pension Plan continues to operate from a very strong funded position and is well-poised to contend with the current volatility. Your Plan was recently certified as a well-funded “Green Zone” plan under the Pension Protection Act and has amassed a substantial credit balance over time against the Federal government’s minimum funding requirements. In summary, the Pension Plan is well-positioned to meet its future obligations and weather market volatility along the way. The long-term nature of this defined benefit pension program and the prudent measures and policies employed by the Trustees allow for uninterrupted operation in turbulent times and retirement security for its participants and beneficiaries.
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