Regardes to this comment posted:

Comments:

Just a thought to let EMANY know that we are better than them:

Send a thank you to them every time we receive our unemployment checks and let them know that we appreciate their contribution.

Wow some of you out there are so short sighted, Did you forget about the brothers in NJ who have not been able to collect a thing!

Thnks for adding insult to injury!

Who is really winning E MANY or  or the couple hundred guys and women in NJ who are really taking the grunt of this lock out!

Im glad to see the working brothers putting their thoughts about the lockout situation on the website. I will keep this short, " as many people complain about the length of my posts."  I just wanted to say I am glad to see some of the working brothers on the website. Keep the faith. Local 1 will prevail!! Going to do a nice cannonball in the pool , at my size its a good sized splash , AKA the south Shore tidal wave , be good God bless STAY STRONG. Looking foward to seeing all the Long Island Schindler Brothers tommorrow night. Its been upgraded from coffee and cake to burgers and dogs . UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE BEG. Repectfully submitted Brother Brian Link card # 1347 . To Ray and our leaders KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!!!!!!!!!

In response to Mike Mac`s posting on vacations. I came from Millar and when we took a vacation week we got paid for just the week we took. I feel that way you had to take what is owed you. It was a very good policy that should be implemented in the new contract.That way you get a pay check every week throughout the year. I find it kind of rough that if I don`t take the week that we get our check in July I end up spending the money on something else

Let us set the record straight here. I hate to do this because I know everybody reads this. We are a UNION and a proud one at that. There is strength in numbers.Always has been and always will be. There is no UNION without U and I. U and I give us the strength in numbers. While we are in this labor dispute it affects all of us. That means U and I. While U may be working and I may not be working We as UNION members have the same responsibilities to the cause. I have been involved in a lot of activity during the day while U work. I am always looking for U in the evening, weekends and to just lend a hand when you can. We will win this battle because our Leaders are doing a fantastic job and because of U and I. U and I have also been doing a fantastic job and we should be proud of that.So just remember U and I need to stay involved because their is no Union without U and I.

Brothers thank you for your support.  Wanted to thank all the working brothers from the bottom of my heart for helping maintain health insurance for my family.  To all the negotiating team for holding the line.  To all the brothers, from other locals for there support.  To brother Chris Brock for helping put food on the table.To the scabs for teaching me the importance of union brotherhood.  Please go home now hold your family close, Kiss your kids and go out and get a job of your own.  Holding on, Holding out Chris Hall and family.

hang in there ,I think all the locals will continue to send money to help out the cause. Because what happens in the end effects all of us. Jack Clower local 32 Atlanta Georgia

 Here's another comment from a working brother.  In the first few weeks of the lockout I wanted to answer some of the posts about 'Why it's the same old guys showing up'  &  'Why can't some of the working brothers get involved'.  I guess because I was working I felt out of place making comments while I had a pay check coming in. But mostly what I wanted to say was most of the Companies had a tentative agreement which meant that some 2000 members of Local 1 had to fulfill an agreement.  To work as we have been trained,  to show the talent of IUEC Mechanics and Helpers.  Representing Local One and one's Employer is also what being a good union brother is all about.  Read Dana Brighams'  "Being a Good Union Member Means Being a Good Employee" in the June Constructor his comments says it all.  Although I understood the bitterness to-wards the Companies which locked out our members.  I had 17 years with Otis and quite a few friends I worked side by side with are now out of work.  Also I took some time off work to stand at some picket lines (was there for the Bus load from Boston in the rain...it was an awesome sight) and my strike fund checks have been mailed.  As for myself, one has a different feeling to the situation because I have money coming in.  Not sure if it's the right answer.

  Now for why I choose this time to write my comment......There's a saying, "Who you are speaks more loudly then what you say".  Someone correct me but I believe our membership has spoken and it just might be time to give up GPS, Shift Work,& Hoisting.  If my numbers are off excuse the mistake...we have roughly 2000 members working and ONLY 650 members have sent in any money?? Are we kidding ourselves here?? These companies know how poorly our own membership supports ourself.  It's a joke that we might be relying on other Locals from throughout the country (Thank you sincerely from Local 1 and myself) for support.  Do I believe in my comment about GPS, Shift work & Hoisting....ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!!!  Although one has to wonder just what it is our membership truly feels about this situation. It's a scary thought but these companies know us better then we know ourselves.  Maybe we should even give up a week or two of vacation because there always seems to be few guys who never take their full amount. 'It's better for me',  'I needed the money'....we here all the excuses.  How can any negotiating team ask for extra vacation time when management can come back with, "They don't even take what we give them".

  Now before I go on and on and on....(some of you who know me are aware I may never shut up)  Ray, Tony, Lenny, Fred, Ed, Bobby & Gary keep up the good work.  At least you know we have the locked out brothers behind you and some 650 of us working brothers.  Hopefully by next week someone will be able to post on this sight that 1300 checks have showed up to wards the lock-out fund.

  Here's quote the wife has had stuck to this computer table for years....   Hope is a light that never fails.  A flame burning in the darkest night.   An elusive feeling that urges you to go on, when against all reason, you refuse to give up.

  I am officially shutting up.......My wife knows I'm nuts so I don't care what the rest of you think......by the way TommyC is a jerk.                                                  Killer

Sorry that I've been slow to post.  I feel a little guilty.  I was out a month when I quit Otis and hired on as a foreman for Sergitec.  I've already sent in my 250 for June.  It was tough out for a month, I know it's not easy when the wife wants to know when you're going to get some money, being Mr. Mom ain't easy but I sure enjoyed the family while I was home.  I'm 4th generation in the business, I know some of you have heard this stuff before, yeah, I still got my great-grandpa's union card out of Jacksonville, 1920, dues a buck and a quarter a month.  But to these corporations that's all this is, a bottom line, a business.  I've got 32 years next Sunday so as much as I think about it, this is my life!   You look around the construction site and you say we could do any of those jobs, we already do, who's more skilled than us?  I've heard when supers had quit at Otis they would do an exit interview, invariably they would say that the men in the field are what makes these companies work.  No kidding, I guess since they don't know the part of the business that we do so they figure the stuff gets built, repaired and maintained by itself while we have coffee.  Guess the guys scabbing out of our offices are seeing it isn't so easy.  Most of these posts have said it already.  These replacements think they aren't replaceable?  It's too easy for me to say hang tough since I'm working, guys, get in your 250 if your working.  If enough of you send in I promise not to post anymore.  Fraternally, Al Krause 

Hi Gene.  Sounds like a great idea to me.  Martells is a great place to hang out.  Monday nights are fun also, they have a band called The Party Dolls that play 50's right through to todays music.  Keep the faith!!!!

Lori Agnello

Proud wife of Paul Agnello

Card 1671

To Liz Nielson,

You did a terrific job of putting your emotions in writing.  I felt like I was in the parking garage with you, chills ran up my spine just reading it.

At our meetings here in San Francisco (Local 8) we project things of interest on a screen before and during the meeting.  With your permission, I would like to put your posting up there for all of the members at the meeting to read and think about.  Please reply by e-mail with your permission.

Also any EMANY mutts that read your posting, and don't stop and think.... well, my opinion of them would be best left unsaid!!

Bruce Douglas, Executive Board, Local 8, San Francisco

GOD BLESS brother Mike Bruce!!! We needed to hear from a working brother. We need to know how the working brothers and sisters feel about this contract WE NEED THEIR support we the "locked out" brothers and sisters need to FEEL their compassion ALL FOT ONE , ONE FOR ALL.Well enough said for now the kids WANT THE POOL opened , the plants need water and that good ole barbeque is calling my name.Please enjoy this beautiful Sunday with your family, whether you are working, locked out or LEADING US!!! Tough times dont last , but tough people do . For all the Schindler , Long Island brothers we will be meeting Tuesday night, for coffee , cake and just some good ole company , FAMILY STYLE! God Bless Local 1 !!!Like always I remain educated, trained , informed and extremely well trained and able and willing to go back to work for what we deserve!! To Ray and OUR LEADERS , WE VOTED YOU IN ARE EXTREMELY PROUD OF YOU!!!Respectfully submitted Brother Brian Link aka Captain America. LOCAL 1 WILL PREVAIL!!!!!

Dear Brothers and Sisters...
You're right on target brother Mario...shame on these guys. As you say this defies logic, it's beyond comprehension that these brothers are in the middle of a forest and don't see any trees...
Thanks for your strong words of encouragement. It's embarassing that our own don't drop by this site to encourage us, yet you, 3000 miles away drop in  4 or 5 times a day.That is a blessing...in unity there is strength..and is so reassuring to know that so far away you guys are in tune to our needs and act with deeds instead of words..As you read our website you would know that the medical for the month of june is covered thanks to individuals like you that urge and actively encourage your membereship to give to our cause..I took my wife in for some x-rays and some doctor visits for different health complications and throughout the visits, she was apprehensive, saddened and cried sorrowfully because of the uncertaninty of not knowing wether we had coverage or not. Well I comforted her as best I could and I reasoned with her that as long as there are individuals that think like you and locals send in contributions like the $50, 000 you guys recently sent in, we nothing to fear.. Low and behold I think yesterday they posted that the Month of June would be covered..Take a bow Mario, you and your local made that possible...As a husband and a father words cannot describe the enormous weight your contributions take off our shoulder and the shoulders of our local..If the time ever arises when you need our support, needless to say we'll be there for you.
God bless you and all that contribute...have a great Sunday
your brother always
V.colon & Family

PS. X-rays were negative and complications are under control.

if you want to read some quotes here they are

AFTER THE GAME THE KING AND PAWN GO INTO THE SAME BOX

A RUMOR GETS HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD BEFORE THE FACTS HAS A CHANCE TO PUT ITS PANTS ON

Just a thought to let EMANY know that we are better than them:

Send a thank you to them every time we receive our unemployment checks and let them know that we appreciate their contribution.

Carol McEneaney

Rich vessia KEEP ON TRUCKING MUST BE AN OLD TIMER THING HA HA HA  KEEP IT UP BROTHERS   THE SUPERS/REPLACEMENT-WORKERS ARE DROPPING FLYS ON SH T

I couldn't sleep so I thought I would share what was keeping me up.There was a poem concerning ground zero and while I did not run down there and I am no hero,This was my experience. 2 weeks after,as the train pulled into fulton street ,you could smell it ,you could hear a pin drop on the train ,people just stared at each other wondering who was who,As the doors opened,you needed to put your dust mask on.The streets looked like dirty snow,you couldn't tell where the sidewalk started or finished.As you walked past closed stores you could see the merchandise covered in ash.As you got closer to the pit it looked like it was snowing and the armed guards with there machine guns asked for i.d..They let you in the gates and then you got stopped again ,asked for more i.d.I entered the amex building,the face of it was missing .I signed in with security .They checked my backpack and I went to work.We walked past the offices to get   on top of the elevators .Everything was frozen in time,people left there desks in a hurry,coffee cups and pictures were out covered in ash.It was an eery sight.We proceeded to clean the hatch and try to get at least one elevator to run normal on just emergency power.We worked in coveralls and masks and I wondered while working in the dark if new york would be there when I got out,we on the elevators were cut off from the outside  world for awhile  as usual and it played with your head or at least mine.We needed fresh air,what a joke,step outside and breathe the ash. we also had false alarms and sprinkler systems went off on  our heads .We were caged in to a sealed off area .The red cross provided food and water since you could not leave the area.As you went in to the tent,you were surrounded by exhausted firemen.Outside the tent were groupies.yes groupies,pathetic women clinging to the fence yelping like dogs.looking for a fireman...."I 'm a massage therapist.".As time went on  engagements and weddings popped up,we found love among death,(they said)oh please,you found channel 7 is all.I remember walking through the dark  sub basement quiet parking garage to use the bathroom,it was a bathroom I would share with 90 other tradesmen.....and as I was walking I noticed ..gosh theres an awful lot of cars here and it hit me.They were covered in dust,They belonged to people that maybe died,not the people working there with me,as chills ran up my spine,I hurried to the bathroom  ,I hated that bathroom.Several months later I stood atop the winter garden with all the other trades,its where they put the peasants that just cleaned up the sight a year earlier then expected,but it didn't matter,everyone watched as the last piece of steel was carried out,and everyone was proud to be an American.Did it make us hero's,no it didn't ,we answered a call   to clean ,to fix and rebuild and we did ,so Emany if you don't think we are worth it then screw you.

Thank you to brother Mario Vics strong words! I have been communicating with brother Mario for quite a while. He couldnt have been more on target with his " accessment opinion" . Mario comes from a fine line of cloth! What an absolutely beautiful day here on Long Island , NY. Sunny all day, gardening all day , had the barbeque going, played some volleyball with my family. Then the day got better, I went to an outdoor symphony High School concert, which my daughter Angela played in, it was spectacular. My family means so much to me, I thank God everyday I wake up for ALL I HAVE! My wonderful wife Suzanne who supports me 100% "unconditionally" whether Im working or not. I couldnt ask for better children , Angela 15 and Scott 12 . Our family values ARE AT RISK , Emany wants to detroy the entire nucleus of working families in America! We must and will remain strong! I am also extremely greatful to Brother Ray Hernandez, he is not just talking the talk he is WALKING THE WALK. Ray you are doing a great job!You continue to fight for OUR FAMILIES OUR VALUES OUR FUTURE> FOR THIS RAY WE ARE ALL EXTREMELY Grateful! We know it cant be easy, I know you personally Ray. From day one when I first met you as a shop steward in New Jersey, you were always a stand up guy! You can and will stand tall brother I cant imagine how tough it must be at times but when you doing what you know is right It strengthens you. We got your back Ray , we are willing to TOE THE LINE 7 7 7 no gps no flexible shiftwork no hoisting givebacks !!!! Ray and all our leaders enjoy your sunday and we are forever grateful for all you have done ......Thanks also to Tony Carudo , one of the finest Local 1 union members I have ever met!Respectfully submitted Brother Brian Link card # 1347  .........LOCAL 1 WILL PREVAIL