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Our Union has lost a great man and Labor leader. Ivan ‘Rocky’ Diaz passed away last week and has left his family, friends and Union heartbroken. Rocky was a hard working member, Shop Steward and Trustee of Local 810. He left this world way too early and he will be missed dearly. His service to the membership and this Union will never be forgotten. RIP, brother.
Hello Brothers and Sisters,
I’m reaching out to the membership again to keep everyone up to date in regards to all that is going on at your Union. We’ve continued to have a busy year and have negotiated additonal contracts with ABC Carpet/ABC Oriental, Accurate Forming, Amsterdam Tobacco, ASTRO Electroplating, Center Candy, Columbia Button, Eckhoff Trucking, Globe Wholesale, Long Island Carpet, Majestic Carpet, MGR Equipment, Sunrise Candy, T&R Tobacco. There were no givebacks in any of these ratified contracts and all of them had increases to wages and benefits. This was not an easy task during a time of economic instability in this country as well as skyrocketing health care costs. Several of these shops were former Local 805 represented companies that were facing dramatic increases to employee contributions as well as possible reductions in benefits due to the status of their health fund. These events were avoided because of the merger into Local 810 and the hard work of your Union representatives. Your Business Agents, Shop Stewards and committee members worked diligently to preserve our strength and power at the negotiation tables.
Since the merger last March, your Health & Welfare fund has paid over $1.2 million dollars in past claims and services for former 805 members. We have also made several improvements to your health plans – raised prescription drug coverage (Plan 45), allowed stepchildren onto your coverage (both Plan 45 & 18), increased physical therapy (both Plan 45 & 18), increased chiropractic visits (plan 18) and we also now cover acupuncture visits (both Plan 45 & 18). These additional benefits have come without the need to increase your out of pocket costs and are being provided to help improve the health of our membership and their families. Like I’ve stated in the past, without our health we have nothing.
Your Union and its Trustees have concluded their look into possible changes in our insurance coverage and are pleased to announce that additional improvements are on the way. We are currently negotiating with selected companies and look forward to continuing to bring top notch health care to our members. Technology has changed dramatically over the years in regards to the way health care services are provided and are we are excited to bring these changes to our membership. Over the Summer you will be receiving literature about these changes and improvements. If you have any questions or concerns about your current benefits or have any issues with outstanding bills, please contact your Shop Steward and Business Agent or call the Union at 212-691-4100.
Thank you and have a great Summer!
Mike Smith – President of Local 810 IBT
En Español
Saludos Hermanos y Hermanas,
Me estoy poniendo en contacto con la membresia para ponerlos al dia con lo que esta pasando en su Union. Hemos continuado de tener un año muy ocupado y hemos negociado contratos adicionales con ABC Carpet/ABC Oriental, Accuate Forming, Amsterdam Tobacco. ASTRO Elecroplating, Center Candy, Columbia Button, Eckhoff Trucking, Globe Wholesale, Long Island Carpet, Majestic Carpet, MGR Equipment, Sunrise Candy, T&R Tobacco. No hubieron reducciones en estos contratos ratificados, y todos tuvieron aumentos en salarios y beneficios. No fue facil durante este tiempo cuando la economia esta tan inestable en este pais ademas de los costos de cobertura medica disparado hacia arriba como cohetes. Muchos de estos talleres eran compañias representados anterior por Local 805 que estavan afrentando aumentos drásticos en las contribuciones del miembro tal como reducciones en sus beneficios por causa del status en el fondo de salud. Estos eventos fueron evitados con la fusión al Local 810 y el trabajo fuerte de sus representantes. Sus Representantes, Shop Stewards y miembros del comité trabajaron diligentemente para preservar nuestra fuerza y solidez durante las negociaciones.
Desde la fusión el Marzo pasado, su fondo de Bienestar ha pagado mas de $1.2 millones en reclamos antiguos y servicios para miembros anterior de Local 805. Tambien hemos hecho mejoramientos mayores a su plan de salud – aumentamos cobertura de prescripción (Plan 45), permitimos cobertura de hijastros(a) (al Plan 45 y Plan 18), aumentamos la fisioterapia (Plan 45 y Plan 18), aumentamos visitas quiropráctica (Plan 18) y ahora cubrimos visitas de acupuntura (Plan 45 y Plan 18). Estos beneficios adicionales se añadieron sin costo adicional de su bolsillo y son provistos para el ayudo de mejorar la salud de nuestros miembros y sus familias. Como he dicho anteriormente, sin nuestra salud no tenemos nada.
Su Union y los administradores han concluido la revisión de cambios en nuestra cobertura medica y estan contentos de anunciar que cambios adicionales estan de camino. Seguimos negociando con compañias y estamos comprometidos de traerle cobertura medica de primera a nuestros miembros. La tecnologia ha cambiado dramaticamente sobre los años en la manera que los servicios medicos son proveidos y estamos muy entusiasmados para traerle estos cambios y mejoramientos a nuestra membresia. Durante el verano usted recibirá literatura sobre estos cambios. Si usted tiene alguna pregunta sobre sus beneficios actual o tiene problemas con cuentas de medico por favor pongase en contacto con su Shop Steward o Representante de la Union, tambien puede llamar la Union al 212-691-4100.
Gracias y que disfruten el Verano!
Mike Smith – Presidente de Local 810 IBT
When Sodexo management started negotiations asking for large concessions from the workers due to financial losses, the bargaining committee representing over 200 members was in shock. After many questions and a lot of research and discussions later, the union and committee decided to meet the company part way. First, the Union reps and committee found savings by proposing that a number of supervisory positions be replaced with union lead positions (with hourly increases). In addition, Local 810 was able to offer a lower cost health plan to the company which represented very big savings. In exchange, Sodexo agreed to continue to pay 100% of the Welfare premium with no cost share for the members. A large number of members received upgrades in their positions and longevity increases. Pension contributions were increased each year. The 5 year agreement was sealed with general wage increases each year.
Members hold up their retro checks after a number of hard fought negotiating sessions, but the union and members held their ground to win a better contract with bigger wage increases then the last contract.
Koenig Iron Works! Recent contract settled maintaining top medical coverage and the largest wage increases in years. Overwhelmingly ratified.
This Summer members at Wellwood and Beth Moses cemetery overwhelmingly ratified a new contract with the highest raises ever given by the company. The Union also preserved the health benefits for the seasonal employees while on lay-off.
Mason Industries is an innovator as they are among the first to encourage and train Sister members to take on welding which is traditionally a male dominated job in most facilities. They are now employing five Sister welders!!!!
This Saturday, September 12th, is the UWMM Health and Welfare Fund’s 8th Annual Health Fair!
24-09 38th Avenue LIC, NY 11101
212.691.4100
11am – 2pm
Our vendors, suppliers, benefit staff will be here to answer questions regarding your benefits. Enjoy food, refreshments for all members and their families. Entertainment, raffle tickets, and prizes will be available.
Mercerville Center wins raises, more say on safety and working conditions
After a long, difficult negotiations, Local 810 members at the Mercerville Center nursing home won raises in each year of a 3 year agreement and commitments to improve staffing levels and more say on working conditions. Genesis Health Care was fighting all the NJ/NY area unions to keep wages low and increase part time and per diem workers.
Nurses aides have long complained about management cutting corners when it came to proper coverage on the floors to take care of elderly and disabled residents. With new contract language on staffing levels and Labor Management meetings, members will have much more input and leverage to enforce safe working conditions.
In addition, the housekeeping department successfully resolved a number of outstanding issues regarding scheduling, seniority and communications with management.
“A lot of credit goes to the Local 810 Bargaining Committee of Tammy Williams, Tarshana Hawkins, Judy Henderson and Richard Atkinson, for their perseverance and strong advocacy on behalf of all their fellow workers, said President Mike Smith. I have worked with this group for many years – I believe they deserve more for the dedicated and hard work they do every day on behalf of the residents. Local 810 is committed to working with other unions to improve the pay, benefits and working conditions for those who care for our elderly family members.”
