Brother McKenna,

I would go for the base hit, get ONE run in and hope for the best when the next batter comes up to the plate

Brothers and Sisters,

We are a GREAT UnIon, Lets get even greater in the next 3 years, 8 months and 2 weeks, and be ready for the next battle.

BROTHERS AND SISTERS ITS DOWN TO THE WIRE NOW.SOME OF US ALREADY KNOW HOW WE ARE GOING TO VOTE AND OTHERS ARE NOT SURE HOW THEY ARE GOING TO VOTE.THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE UNDER SIDED AND ON THE FENCE, MAYBE THIS WILL SHED SOME LIGHT ON HOW YOU SHOULD VOTE.

WHEN YOU GO TO A DEALERSHIP TO BUY A CAR, DO YOU SETTLE FOR A CAR? OR DO YOU GET WHAT YOU ARE ASKING FOR?

ANSWER: I WOULD WANT, WHAT I WAS ASKING FOR AND I WOULDN'T SETTLE FOR LESS.

BROTHERS AND SISTERS MY FATHER IN LAW HAD STAGE 4 CANCER. HE WENT TOO A DOCTOR THAT TOLD HIM THAT HE NEEDED TOO GET HIS LIFE IN ORDER,THAT HE DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO LIVE.THANK GOD MY FATHER IN LAW DIDN'T SETTLE FOR THE FIRST DOCTORS ADVICE OTHERS WISE HE WOULD BE DEAD TODAY.

SIX MONTHS LATER HE IS CONSIDERED TO BE ONE OF SLOAN KETTERING'S MIRACLE PATIENT'S WHO WAS UNDER THE CARE OF DOCTOR WONG AND DOCTOR FONG, I DON'T KID YOU,THAT WAS THE NAME OF HIS DOCTORS.BUT THESE TWO DOCTORS SAVED HIS LIFE. THE BOTTOM LINE BROTHERS AND SISTERS MY FATHER IN LAW IS GOING TO SEE HIS GRANDDAUGHTER GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL, ON THE DAY OF OUR VOTE BECAUSE HE DIDN'T SETTLE FOR THE FIRST DOCTORS ADVICE.

HE IS GOING TO FISH WITH HIS GRANDSON OVER THE SUMMER BECAUSE HE DIDN'T SETTLE FOR THAT ONE DOCTORS ADVICE.

HE IS GOING TO HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE HIS GRANDSON FIGHT FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SWIM FOR THE GOLD IN 2012.BROTHERS AND SISTERS MY SON SWIMS FOR THE US SWIM TEAM AND HE IS A FIGHTER JUST LIKE HIS GRANDFATHER.

MIKE HALPIN THIS IS FOR YOU.MIKE YOU ARE DAMN RIGHT WHEN YOU SAID WE ARE THE UNION THE MIGHTY,MIGHTY UNION THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.I WAS AND STILL WILL CONTINUE TO BE ONE OF THE PICKET CAPTAINS IF NEED BE.I AM A FIGHTER JUST LIKE MY FATHER IN LAW AND I WILL REACH FOR THE GOLD, JUST LIKE MY SON. IN MY FAMILY WE DON'T SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS, WE GO FOR THE GOLD.

THIS IS FOR OUR NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE, I DON'T THINK OF YOU AS SILVER OR BRONZE I CONSIDER YOU TO BE THE GOLD IN THIS UNION, SO REACH FOR IT AND DON'T SETTLE FOR LESS.

BROTHERS AND SISTERS IT'S THE BOTTOM OF THE NINTH,THE BASES ARE LOADED AND WE HAVE TWO OUTS,WE ARE BEHIND BY 3 RUNS,DO WE GO FOR THE GRAND SLAM? I LEAVE THIS UP TO YOU ON SUNDAY,LET'S NOT STRIKE OUT.I WILL GO FOR THE GRAND SLAM BECAUSE I CANT JUST SETTLE, WILL YOU?

Good Saturday morning to everyone....I would like to say THANK YOU to our TEAM...I know you guys did the very best for us that you could...you guys were negotiating with a bunch of greedy people and that is impossible feat at times, but you are our leaders WE voted you guys in you were not appointed none of you...Under the circumstances you guys did an outstanding job....I APPLAUD YOU.....The thing that annoys me is standing outside the meeting on thursday and there are collegues of mine arguing with me over this contract, and you guys know who you are...AND just like i told you outside the meeting....WHERE HAVE YOU GUYS BEEN...I HAVE NOT SEEN YOU SINCE march 17th? NO PHONE CALLS, NO CALL BACKS , NOTHING!!!!!!! AND YOU HAVE THE BALLS TO SAY ANYTHING...JUST LIKE ILL NEVER FORGET WHAT ENEMY DID TO US I WILL NEVER EVER EVER FORGET THE GUYS THAT STOOD TALL AND STRONG THROUGH THIS AND YOU KNOW WHO WE ARE.....AND WILL NEVER FORGET THE FEW BROTHERS WHO WENT MISSING THROUGH THIS MOST OF THIS....NOBODY SHOULD...AND YOU GUYS KNOW WHO YOU ARE.......KEEP THE FAITH BROTHERS AND SISTERS........MY PRAYERS ARE WITH GARY...FIGHT BRO FIGHT!!!

That was the best post I have read.Mike Halpen has and always will be a star in my book,something about the way he puts them lips to a rolled up phone book or something and gets a 100 people to start rockin.Ask any other Trade about Mike and they cant say enough.As I have posted before I  have seen nothing but beauty come from this lockout.Personally The time with my kids as been outrageous,and the attention I was able to give some overdue medical problems  was priceless.My son now wants to be a labor lawyer.They now understand much about the business,the world,corporate America .The otis shirt in the washing machine is more then just a shirt,but rather a huge corporate greed that they will forever be aware of.People you never expected   to be on the lines were.The solidarity was spectacular.The negotiating team fought and won 2 major hurdles and kept us in health care.We learned Brother Link has perfected the cannonball and I bet his kids scrapbook of the lockout of 05 was a time when Dad was home,and they will never forget.I  formed friendships and met people from other company's I would have never met,From new york to San Francisco.No matter what picket line I chose to go to(there were many happening at the same time)My heart would race that I would know no one ,but there would be Mike Murphy and/or Charlie yager and I knew I was  at the right spot. Emany is comprised of people looking to build resumes,back stabbing ,move over,get me to top no matter what,.. kind of people,They got nothing on us.Choosing a life of labor has and will always will be a fight.So to all my local one family........let me thank you for your time ,you work a 40 hour week for a living ,just to send it on down the line..........Somebody hold a spot for me at the vote,I am using a cane and cant walk to far.Thanks.

Just a little heads up. Charlie Novak this week received a letter of termination from Schindler Elevator. For an incident that allegedly happened during the LOCK OUT. Last I heard, in this country the laws read innocent until found guilty. This is  unacceptable.If this contract flies or not Schindler can't get away with something like this.Thanks so much to Ray and the rest of the negotiating committee for THE FAMILY HOURS LOST during this unnecessary" LABOR DISPUTE". God bless the Haynes family.

no matter how any of us vote on Sunday we all need to recognize that our leaders have worked very diligently through out this entire lock out. I feel that they have always put the needs of the membership above their personal needs and for this I applaud them!! I can not begin to Imagen how many Little league games,dance recitals and other family functions these men have missed and once again i would like to thank them for their efforts. no matter what the out come of Sundays vote we all need to stay united if this contract is voted down then we will need to re-man the picket lines and not just a handful of men. we will need to see the same numbers as we did in the first two weeks of this lock out! and if we return to work we will need to police our selves to ensure each and every member is doing the right thing

SUBJ. Unions In America:   At one time.We were Twenty five Million Strong in America.Today I believe we are under Sixteen Million.Shame on U.S. Greed,Expediency Corruption,(screw the other guy I want whats mine) These are the hallmarks of today. But in the Nineteenth Century It was also this way, and the Union Movement got it"s start in the Pennsylvania coal fields with the Molly Maguires.Just like then it has to get a lot worse before it can get any better. The Fruit of the tree of Liberty ,From time to time must be watered with the Blood Of Patriots . It will remind men ,What our Forefathers Fought and died for. The right to Speak freely,Right of Assembly,Right to BEAR ARMS,Freedom of Religion , Right to representation  Right to life,Liberty ,Pursuit of Happiness.God what a country We Were and still can be again!!!!!!!! Vote your conscience, I am tired of this day and age of victims.Nobody is responsible for their actions ,Made men Rat their friends out,Politicians talk out of every side of their faces,Say what they feel, then when it gets to hot,they apologize.Well NOT Me.Whatever happens come Monday WE will be able to separate the politicians from the Men

In response to Brother Jim Mckenna's post:  "Mike kept chanting "We are the UnIon.  The mighty, mighty UnIon!"  Well are we??  Or was that just talk?"

Let me start by saying that this tentative agreement, like every agreement that I've worked under, contains items that we all like and items that we dislike.  That's the nature of collective bargaining.  U and I have the right to vote on this agreement, our work conditions are not dictated to us.  This makes us "mighty".

U and I elect our representatives.  We have the right to challenge and/or question our representatives.  It makes us mighty, and I thank you for this challenge, Jim, as it made me think at great length.  I'm proud to be a member. 

To answer your question with a simple "yes" or "no" would not serve us well.  I am certain that as I write this post, I will omit some members whose efforts have made us "mighty".  It is not because their efforts are forgotten.

So here it goes:

Prior to March 17,2005 we had been involved in many rallies, demonstrations and picket lines.  These events were largely the cause of The Building and Construction Trades and our members often rose and made us shine in the eyes of all of the trades.  We often had the largest turnouts and that is due to our heart.  At present 3 big non-union developers and/or contractors are at the table.  The actions of U and I make us "the mighty union".

On March 17, 2005 the huge, big money and international concerns that are Emany locked us out.  Their proposal at that time was for a paltry raise and "productivity incentives" that would gut both our jurisdiction and our way of life.  Our officers and members went into action.  While our officers were at the hall running off the literature and making the signs, many of our Brothers and Sisters picked up a piece of cardboard or poster board (Nick Giustino comes to mind).  They created signs and became a line.  The actions of U and I make us "the mighty union."

In the days that followed there were more organized lines.  Our Shop Stewards (Kevin Berry, Ray Haines, Mike Murphy, Brian Fielder and many,many others) stepped up big time and were true leaders.  Other members became Lockout Captains and served us proudly.  The actions of U and I make us "the mighty union."

Officers and members stepped up to push legislation that would help to ease the economic burden on us.  Officers fought in arbitrations to beat back attempts to increase the financial burden on our members as employers attempted to inhibit our use of our benefit funds.  The actions of U and I make us "the mighty union"

One Sunday on less than 4 hours notice more than 100 members mobilized.  We were not only effective, but we impressed the hell out of one of the best mobilizing organizations in the country....And then we did it again and again.  The actions of U and I make us "the mighty union."

Checks started coming in from our International and other Locals from around the country to help ease the burden on our Local.  Members from around the country sent us checks to support the cause.  Officers from locals around the country (Washington, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, Poughkeepsie, Worcester etc...) came to fight the fight.  Bus Loads of members from around the Northeast lent a hand to the cause.  Other Local Unions took action in their own area to assist.  The actions of U and I make us "the mighty union".

Danbo did recon nearly every single day.  Members such as Brian Link and Liz Nielson posted this website from the heart.  Mike Duffy kept the website up, despite some childish antics, so we could all communicate and stay informed.  We had several opportunities to get to meet members spouses through this site and our family seemed to grow.  Members, their spouses and our office staff offered services free of charge.  The actions of U and I make us "the mighty union."

There are many other members and events that deserve some form of mention.  Some of them I am aware of, I'm sure that there are many that I'm not aware of.  None of us will ever know the full extent to which any one member contributed.  Our heart is hundreds, no, thousands of times bigger than our wallets.....Those that gave and did are what make U and I "the mighty, mighty UNION."

So as to your questions:  Are we the mighty Union?  Or are these just words? 

The answer is a resounding "yes".  The actions of U and I speak far louder than any chant possibly could.  

Jim U are a big part of what makes us strong and I appreciate that.       

Its Friday night, please take the time before the vote on Sunday, to read the contract cover to cover. Please vote for your future, anything in life worth anything is not easy to achieve , but the rewards of standing strong and having conviction in what you REALLY believe in are overwhelming. I would like to thank the leadership of Local 1 for asking me to be a leader , not a follower" for this VOTE of confidence on my behalf I am extremely grateful". Regardless of the vote outcome I will wholeheartly support our union and our leaders . I have never been more proud and felt more united as a member of Local 1!!! So before or after the beach, before or after your childs little league game tommorrow, do yourself a solid favor, look at this contract and make an educated decision for your future here at Local 1 , and decide If your vote will hurt or help your family and your QUALITY of life.Well Its time for Captain America to sign off and perform my Patented South Shore Sayville cannonball, and see if I can beat my 12 year old son Scott at "horse" in basketball. See all the concerned and educated brothers and sisters at vote Sunday. Stay Strong UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED we beg and beg and beg. I PRAY ONE DAY WE WILL VOTE FOR 1 CONTRACT FOR ONE UNION FOR LOCAL ONES FUTURE . Lets never stop to try to organize and educate our own members and our competition "Local 3 and Non -Union" their families also deserve what families need first Good wages Good working conditions and a competive but secure future . Thanks for listening Brother Brian Link card #1347

  No contract is perfect. There will always be problems and issues that need to be worked out in the field. That being said I think that this is a good contract that finally increases the wages of the service personnell to an acceptable level. I hope that the contract passes and I would like to thank the members of the negotiating committee for all their hard work under what I am sure were extremely stressful circumstances.

 I know that many members who were locked out are justifibly angry, Let's make sure that the anger isn't directed at the wrong people. Be angry at the heartless S.O.B.'s who locked you out for over 3 months and then tried to deny your family health benefits. It is time to get back to work and do what we do better then anyone,build,fix and maintain elevators.

Good afternoon Brothers and Sisters,

     I have been reading and reading this contract for days, over and over.

     These are the issues that trouble me:

    1- GPS

    2- Shift Work and Staggering starting times

    3- The Annuity Money

    4- 11 month waiting time after successfully passing the test

    5- Page  4 states the following:

a) During the life of this agreement, the employer shall have the right to hire 5 more individuals per year than allowed under the

above formulation.

b) The Employer may select from the open employment list any workman other than probationary pursuant to paragraph 3 above.

     These issues are  very important to the future of this Great Union of OURS. Don't think for one minute GPS is there for our safety, Shift work and staggering start times are there for our convenience, the annuity took a hit of .25 first year, the waiting period is to save jobs and most important THE EMPLOYER MAY SELECT FROM THE OPEN EMPLOYMENT LIST ANY WORKMAN OTHER THAN PROBATIONARY PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 3 ABOVE. 

      I also had some time to calculate the actual wage increases,and they are as follows:

      First Year- 3.3% In Service Department

      Second Year- 4.47% In Service Department

      Third Year- 4.175% In Service Department

      Fourth Year- 4.51% In Service Department

I already know that the %  increases are based on the entire package so no need to correct me on that, just thought you should know the wage increase.

Almost forgot some things of importance:

      Those of us that were lucky enough to work for the ENEMY companies have lost about $30,000.00 in wages.

      Annuity contributions since 3/17/05 to date.

      Pension contributions since 3/17/05 to date.

Think long and hard about the way you see OUR FUTURE!

However the vote turns out, I will continue to  support this union and its leadership and appreciate all the hard work that they, our negotiating team, have done. 

We stand behind our Brothers and Sisters of Local 1. Whatever the outcome of the vote, we will respect your decision and support you in any way we can.

The Officers and Members

IUEC Local 27

Rochester, New York

Dear brothers and sisters….

As many of you did, I attended the meeting yesterday and I believe every question asked was answered.. As it turns out most of the issues were items that we’ve had for years.. the money is basically not an issue, shift work language is gone, the flex time they already had, the issue with mod and the third person was shown to be of benefit because it puts the newly tested apprentice to work to gain valuable experience, and the 11 month grace period beats the old 30 days anytime because as you remember 30 days after passing the test if they didn’t have a job for you were terminated, according to the language and the way Ray explained it the hoisting in reality actually creates work for us, GPS they had  but never really implemented, I’ll be honest the language in GPS is devious it states that is there to monitor my performance.. Hmm??? Don’t know what that means!!!.I realize that there are several incarnations of GPS. I thought that they wanted it to track us to know our whereabouts..ie…Long.30 degrees 4 minutes by lat 15 degrees 6 minutes.. this can be accurate to the square yard if not better…But to monitor my performance….This language is deceptive at best. Is it a strong enough reason to shoot down this contract? Only time will tell.. personally I think is intrusive. Nexte’s  implementation of GPS is marginal at best, As you know Nextel looses it’s signal really easy. I’ve been on top of a 70 story building pointing directly to the southern skies and got ZILCH for a signal, I try often to get a fix on my own position but  the phone fails to link with the satellite’s signal 9 time out of 10 even with a clear view. Perhaps is not fully functional but with Nextel not having enough repeaters to go around the success of GPS is really questionable, the rest of the issues dealt with the quota hires, benefits etc and I saw nothing within the language of the remaining issues to make me pack and move to Brazil. One key moment was when a brother asked Ray how the team personally felt about the contract…Well…somewhere midstream Ray Obliged and the entire negotiating team (minus one) gave an account as to the validity of the contract and how hard they work to get to the point where are with respect to march 17. It’s impossible to please everyone.. But thank God for America, Democracy Free Speech and secret ballots.. for it is there ultimately where for a fleeting moment with wrestle with our conscience and exercise this lonely but Soooo very sacred act….

Have a good day my brothers enjoy your Saturday.. reflect upon the blessings that we have and often take for granted and come out in force on Sunday to cast your vote…

As I’ve stated before makes no difference to me which way it goes.. I’m with you no matter what,..till the bitter end..

My foreclosure notice appointment notwithstanding jajajaja… if we don’t ratify then I’ll see you at the picket lines.. If it passes then I’ll see you out in the field…

Respectfully yours

V.Colon

PS..Mr. Link I looked for you….but I don’t know what you look like.

Sorry I missed you, I’ll try again on Sunday.. have a blessed day

Gary Hanes & Family you are in our prayers. 

Brothers & Sisters - We would all like our children to grow up to be Doctors and Lawyers.  Well this doesn't happen for all!  So protect your work.

On saturday evening June 25th, I would like everyone to go check on their loved ones.  Stand, watch and think - What legacy am I going to leave you, our children and their children, when I vote on this contract the next contract and so on....  Is the money in the envelope worth the give backs,  will there be any work left by the time it's your turn?  Will I leave you enough to go on in this business?  Will you be left with enough work to be as proud to be a Local One member as I am.

After you answer alll of these questions THEN go in and VOTE!

          REMEMBER WE MUST PROTECT EACH OTHER & OUR WORK

I first would like to thank one brother.His name is Mike Duffy , he from day one has kept the line of communication open. He has like many active members of Local 1 have given up priceless time with his family.I would personally like to thank Sue Duffy, Mikes wife, and for Mikes children for giving up some extremely valuable time with your husband and your DAD.For those who dont know Mike Duffy, he doesnt want the recognition!! I had and idea, how about doing something for Mike, send him an E-mail, send him a note , do whatever you feel necessary to show your appreciation. THANKS MIKE!!!! I will alwaysuport our leaders who we elected always be here for my brothers and sisters working or locked out to help support and JUST BE HERE for you.I want to thank the leaders of Local 1 to be a leader, not a follower.Thanks for everyone euduring my long posts and letting me say how I feel. Also When I do go back to work whenever that is I will always conduct myself as aprofessional , I will always be an asset to Local 1, my customers. I will always do a good days work for a days pay. Thanks again and see everyone at the vote. God Bless everyone and keep brother Gary Haynes in your prayers.signed Brian Link still informed ,educated ,proud and always here for Local 1

First of all i would like to THANK Ray Hernandez for openly discussing the tentative agreement before us for ratification on Sunday June 26th .Ray along with the rest of our leaders Bob Stork,Fred Mccourt,Lenny Lagotte, Ed Krull, Tony Carudo and Gary Rieffenhauser and many others board members all took a turn at the microphone and told all the members in attendance how they felt about the contract. We then had an open forum regarding changes in contract one section at a time.Whether you vote no or yes for this contract??? I wanted to take aminute to thank all our elected leaders for taking the time to DISCUSS all changes regarding contract . We all have chance to vote for or against this contract on Sunday June 26th at Union Hall. We all, have one vote , ALL FOR ONE , ONE FOR ALL. I remain educated, well informed and proud as ever to be active member of Local 1 IUEC!!!! See everyone at the VOTE Sunday, Thanks again for your time Brother Brian Link ........ I also would like to commend ALL the brothers who went up to the microphone to voice their questions and concerns regarding this contract, I always am proud of any brother or sister who goes up to Microphone "the only stupid question , IS the one that never get asked". Stay Strong

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

Just got home from the contract reading, and I must say I was surprised to see the turn out. I guess my Brothers & Sisters had all the answers to the questions, or maybe they did not have any questions about their working agreement for the next four years. (thats right a four year agreement.)

Well I must say that I had my questions and they were answered,and I think honestly. I certainly don't like everything about it, but I think it's an agreement we can live by.

Good, bad, or indifferent, I think the Negotiating Committee has brought us, the membership the best contract that could be have been gotten. You, the Negotiating Committee have put in countless hours and done your best.

                       Thank You

                       Brother Ray Hernandez,

                   Brother Lenny Legotte

                   Brother Fred McCourt

                   Brother Ed Krull

                   Brother Bob Stork

                   Brother Anthony Carudo

                   Brother Gary Riefenhauser

There is a lot to consider, losing work to Local 3, non union shops, some members in jeopardy of losing their homes and more.

Read the contract, make an educated decision, vote with your head, not your wallet! If you don't like it, vote NO. If you do like it vote  YES!

   But get out and vote NO EXCUSES

Respectfully submitted by

John Hack  card # 339   PROUD 2nd generation elevator man

                                 Thanks Dad

Its down to the wire... lets give it hell local one!!!!

Red rover, red rover, LET EMANY BEND OVER!!!!