Brothers and Sisters,
Summer is here and with the sunshine comes good news in the labor movement, nationally and right here in Massachusetts. In May, we were proud to celebrate the Suffolk Downs Groundbreaking, the largest private-sector Project Labor Agreement (PLA) ever signed in our region, which will create good, family-sustaining jobs for union members for years to come. This project will be completely union-built and create 14,000 jobs across every sector of the building trades, including right here in our own union.
In April, we kicked off our Building Trades for Recovery Week conference at our union hall. Organized by the Building Trades Employers Association Northeast, the conference featured several speakers, including Chris Herren, former NBA basketball player and founder of the Herren Project; Frank Callahan, president of the Massachusetts Building Trades Council; Thomas Gunning, executive director of BTEA Northeast; and Shawn Nehiley, president of the Iron Workers District Council of New England.
All spoke about the dangers of addiction and substance use disorder, a problem prevalent across all sectors, but especially in our industry where injuries are common and workers have often been prescribed opiates for pain management. We all need to support our brothers and sisters so one is afraid to come forward and get help.
It’s also a time of growth here at Local 7 and we’re excited to announce our new leadership team.
Thomas “Tommy” Pecoraro, our former Vice President, has been named President of Ironworkers Local 7, taking over for former President Daniel McWilliams, who has been named the Boston West Business Agent. Chris Beaton is our new Vice President.
Also, Mike Doucette was named to succeed Bill Hurley as Financial Secretary-Treasurer, and former Chairman of the Executive Board Chuck Neulist replaces Mike Smith as the union’s New Hampshire Business Agent. We congratulate Bill on his retirement!
In addition, we are proud to share that Robert “Sluggo” Dickerson and Kevin Monahan have been added to the executive board. Caron Reese replaces Kevin as trustee and Terry Suriyamongkol is the latest addition to the examing board.
Lastly, it’s a pivotal time in the labor movement across our country as app-based workers, Amazon and Starbucks employees and other working people fight to form strong unions and increase protections on the job. In June, the state Supreme Judicial Court issued a landmark ruling declaring a ballot question that sought to permanently make Uber and Lyft drivers “independent contractors” was struck down as unconstitutional. The ruling was a victory for the labor movement and for workers — who deserve the same workplace protections afforded to all employees.
The court’s ruling also checks those national corporate forces trying to roll back labor laws on a state-by-state basis. We all need to remember that when employee status is in danger anywhere, workers can be affected everywhere.
As always, stay in the loop with Local 7 by signing up for text and email by texting LOCAL7 to (833) 538-084. I hope to see you at our notified meeting on Wednesday, July 27 from 5 – 6 p.m.
Thank you all for your hard work and expertise and I hope your summer includes time to get outdoors for recreation and well-deserved family time.
Fraternally,
Mike Hess
Business Manager
Summer is here and with the sunshine comes good news in the labor movement, nationally and right here in Massachusetts. In May, we were proud to celebrate the Suffolk Downs Groundbreaking, the largest private-sector Project Labor Agreement (PLA) ever signed in our region, which will create good, family-sustaining jobs for union members for years to come. This project will be completely union-built and create 14,000 jobs across every sector of the building trades, including right here in our own union.
In April, we kicked off our Building Trades for Recovery Week conference at our union hall. Organized by the Building Trades Employers Association Northeast, the conference featured several speakers, including Chris Herren, former NBA basketball player and founder of the Herren Project; Frank Callahan, president of the Massachusetts Building Trades Council; Thomas Gunning, executive director of BTEA Northeast; and Shawn Nehiley, president of the Iron Workers District Council of New England.
All spoke about the dangers of addiction and substance use disorder, a problem prevalent across all sectors, but especially in our industry where injuries are common and workers have often been prescribed opiates for pain management. We all need to support our brothers and sisters so one is afraid to come forward and get help.
It’s also a time of growth here at Local 7 and we’re excited to announce our new leadership team.
Thomas “Tommy” Pecoraro, our former Vice President, has been named President of Ironworkers Local 7, taking over for former President Daniel McWilliams, who has been named the Boston West Business Agent. Chris Beaton is our new Vice President.
Also, Mike Doucette was named to succeed Bill Hurley as Financial Secretary-Treasurer, and former Chairman of the Executive Board Chuck Neulist replaces Mike Smith as the union’s New Hampshire Business Agent. We congratulate Bill on his retirement!
In addition, we are proud to share that Robert “Sluggo” Dickerson and Kevin Monahan have been added to the executive board. Caron Reese replaces Kevin as trustee and Terry Suriyamongkol is the latest addition to the examing board.
Lastly, it’s a pivotal time in the labor movement across our country as app-based workers, Amazon and Starbucks employees and other working people fight to form strong unions and increase protections on the job. In June, the state Supreme Judicial Court issued a landmark ruling declaring a ballot question that sought to permanently make Uber and Lyft drivers “independent contractors” was struck down as unconstitutional. The ruling was a victory for the labor movement and for workers — who deserve the same workplace protections afforded to all employees.
The court’s ruling also checks those national corporate forces trying to roll back labor laws on a state-by-state basis. We all need to remember that when employee status is in danger anywhere, workers can be affected everywhere.
As always, stay in the loop with Local 7 by signing up for text and email by texting LOCAL7 to (833) 538-084. I hope to see you at our notified meeting on Wednesday, July 27 from 5 – 6 p.m.
Thank you all for your hard work and expertise and I hope your summer includes time to get outdoors for recreation and well-deserved family time.
Fraternally,
Mike Hess
Business Manager