Just dropped in to say hello from Vancouver British Columbia - next week we will be putting a memorandum of agreement to the membership for approval of the Otis and Kone Agreement. 

We wish you a speedy and just agreeement

Fraternally,

Gordie Heard,

Business Manager

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

 Local One Still strong on the FRONT LINE  for ALL  I.U.E.C  Brothers & Sisters.

  We @ Local 18 Las Vegas, have started a Lock-out Fund 2005,  to try and help with bills and family needs, while members are Locked-Out of work.

   Checks can be made out as follows:

Pay to the order of-  Local One.

Memo- Lock-out Fund 2005

Mailing address:

                                   I.U.E.C. Local One

                                      47-24  27th Street

                                  L.I.C., New York 11101 

                                       If you always do,   

                                           What you've

                                          always done;

                                     You'll always get,

                                         What you've 

                                       always gotten.

                        Lets all make the change, TODAY     

Mario A. Vicchiullo Jr.

I.U.E.C. Local # 18

Chairman

Las Vegas, Nevada 

Dear Local One,

  Keep up the good work!  We are all pulling for you, knowing that you will prevail.  Brothers and sisters, my family and the Local 25 members have you  in our prayers.  THESE BIG C.E.O.s don't realize who makes the millions for them so that they can spend it like its chump change.  Keep the faith, stand up proud and fight!

Brothers and Sisters after reading the posts on this site, I am dam proud to be a Local 1 member. I am presently writing my article for the June constructor. It would be an honor to post some of your thoughts on this lock out in the June issue. I would like to put your post exactly the way you wrote it so please keep the number of words to a minimum. Please e-mail me at leeunion1@opt online.net with your name, card number and contact number along with your post. Thank you Brothers and Sisters stay strong and fight the fight.

Brothers & Sisters: The elevator Safety Bill has been Introduced in both the N.Y. State Assembly and the Senate again.We will be calling upon you to contact your local  Assemblymember & Senator to back this bill.

S4672 VOLKER -- Requires the licensing of persons engaged in the design, construction, operation, inspection, maintenance, alteration, testing and repair of elevators
Same as A 7433 John
SUMM : Add Art 32 SS925 - 935, Lab L Requires the licensing of persons engaged in the design, construction, operation, inspection, maintenance, alteration and repair of elevators and other automatic people moving devices; provides definitions in relation thereto; establishes within the special revenue fund--other, an elevator and related conveyances safety program account; and establishes the New York state elevator safety and standards board.
Last Act: 04/18/05 REFERRED TO LABOR
Same as A 7433 Last Act: 04/18/05 referred to labor

Brother Tom Moore, Local One, IUEC

ha ha ha,  I had another  good laugh today.  I just received another letter  from  Erv  today  regional VP of  Otis.  i don't  think he gets  it.  i'm in the business 25 yrs.   I've  worked for many differnt company's big &small. First  I am an  Elevator  Constructor, I am  the union.  Not an  employee of the Union. If  I don't like what my rep's  are doing I  have a choice to vote them out,  not like those  trustee's.  ha  ha ha .  I love installing elevator's.  It  doesn't  make a difference for who.  He probably doesn't  get it. If anybody could install elevators  they would sell them at home depot.HaHA HA.  I  hope he get's it.   tommy coyne  111762

Any Member who has a Union Plus Mastercard can defer payments after 30 days of a lockout and does not have to make payments for three months there after.  Members can verify this by logging on to unionpluscard.com

wake up emany, the customer knows you only care about corporate greed.  Not the customer!  My building knows exactly whats going on. They will not pay your bill.  You lost their respect.  Their not satisfied with the service unless were on the job fixing elevators.  They don't care about G.P.S.  They want service now. J.I.T. will improve customer service. Also smaller routes and more apprentices.  Its time to show the buildings good customer service.  Give the buildings what their paying for.  STOP RIPPING THEM OFF. YOUR NOT GOING TO MAKE THE MONEY YOU MADE OFF THE LAST 4 MONTH STRIKE.   YOUR GOING TO LOOSE JOBS!!!!  COMMUNICATION MEANS EVERYTHING.                                                STAY STRONG BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

     I work for Otis and found out last week, a Supervisor from Otis in Edmonton was sent to Winnipeg to work as a scab.  He checked into his hotel Sunday night and requested a wakeup call Monday morning.  He didn't answer his wakeup call and when they went to his room, they found him dead of a massive heart attack.

Union Plus Mortgage and Real Estate http://www.unionplus.org/benefits/unique/index.cfm#mortgage Brothers & Sisters: We will get thru this. But never forget and get ready for the next contract. Take a look at Union Plus Mortgage. Tough times don't last, but Tough People do. Brother Tom Moore, Local One, IUEC

You become eligible for special Mortgage Assistance Program benefits* one year after you receive a mortgage through the Union Plus Mortgage Program. For workers who are laid off, disabled or involved in short-term (less than 90 days) strike or lockout: One year after receiving your Union Plus mortgage loan you become eligible to apply for an interest-free loan from the Union Plus Mortgage Assistance Program to cover your monthly payment. Loans are made on the basis of need and cover up to six months of mortgage payments. (You must re-certify after 3 months.) Loans are interest-free and monthly payments begin one month after the last assistance program payment. If you sell or refinance your home, you must repay your loan in full at the time of the sale - if the proceeds of the sale or refinance exceed the value of the mortgage. To access the benefit: Call the Union Plus Mortgage Program at 1-800-848-6466 as soon as you know that you will be unable to make your monthly payment. A mortgage assistance application will be mailed to you. To apply for a loan, complete the application and return it along with proof of your unemployment or disability. Upon receipt of your application, you will be contacted to discuss your circumstances and to request additional information, as needed. Decisions are normally made within a week after complete information is obtained. For workers on strike or lock-out for 90 days or more: Strike benefits are available if you are on an authorized strike, or are locked-out, for 90 consecutive days (provided you have had your mortgage through the Union Plus Mortgage Program for one full year). For three months - beginning with your first payment after the 90th day of the strike or lock-out, the Union Plus Mortgage Assistance Program provides payment of one half principal and interest. For the following three months - the Union Plus Mortgage Assistance Program provides for the payment of the entire amount of your principal and interest. These strike benefits will not have to be repaid at a later time. This is a one-time benefit for one strike or lock-out during the entire term of your mortgage. To access the benefit: Call the Union Plus Mortgage Program at 1-800-848-6466 to speak with a mortgage counselor at least two weeks prior to the 90th day of the strike. A strike verification form will be mailed to you, along with specific instructions that must be followed to gain access to the benefits. Complete the strike verification form and have it signed by a union representative. Return the fully executed form, along with your portion of the mortgage payment, in the postage paid envelope that will be provided. Once the benefit goes into effect, beginning with the fourth month of the strike or lockout, one half of the principal and interest is covered on your mortgage loan for up to three months. (You are responsible for paying the taxes and insurance portion of your monthly mortgage payment for each month that you receive benefits.) If you are still on strike or locked out at the end of the first three-month payment period, your entire principal and interest payment will be paid for up to three months. Your local union leader will be contacted monthly as to the status of the strike or lock-out. *Benefits under the Union Plus Mortgage Assistance Program are contingent upon available funds. The program reserves the power to make alternative determinations of sufficient mortgage length for program eligibility. Benefits are available for the mortgage on your primary residence only. The program may be amended or terminated at any time.

Dear brothers and sisters , I will make this this as short as possible . We will continue to fight the fight whether it is 6a.m. or Midnight. We are out morning, noon and night. We will prevail we will succeed.This message is for all the brothers who are working. This message for all the brothers and sisters who are locked out. This message is for anyone who would like to continue to work for Local 1 IUEC and still make a decent wage.The message is this , I will continue to fight I have been locked out for 32 days , I will continue to fight unconditionally with the help of all my brothers and sisters.This Thursday is a very important meeting not only for the locked out brothers but also for the ones who are extremely fortunate to be working . Unions are built on solidarity. Unions are only as strong as their weakest link .If you feel like this wont effect you? I dont work for the big three ?  ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL. You see brothers a YES vote is the only vote .You see brothers I live my life you will get everythingthing in life , If you just help others get what they want. Well we the locked out brothers and sisters are asking for your help. UNITED WE STAND!DIVIDED WE BEG. I have never been more proud to be a Local 1 IUEC Union Member . Respectfully submitted Brother Brian Link Aka Captain America ........To all our leaders in place THANK YOU!........I wouldnt want to go back for anything less God Bless

We're into our fifth week. It doesn't look like the end is near. I know it's getting harder and harder. For some of us it's really hard. I don't believe that our employers really care. Last week at the United Technologies shareholders meeting I was at the back entrance when some of the board members left the building. They wouldn't even look at us, like we weren't even there. All I can say is that not only are we here but we're not going away. They seem to forget that we're people, people with families, the same people that make them billions of dollars. I could go on and on but I'm just going to say one thing. I'm proud to be a Local One member. I'm proud to have our leaders negotiating on our behalf. STAY STRONG! GET OUT THERE AND REMEMBER, THE ONLY WAY WE CAN WIN THIS IS TOGETHER!

Brothers and Sisters:

To all of Local 4 I am sorry to hear about your lost and I want you all to know that we at Local 1 pray for his family. We also thank you for your support.

We as Local 1 have to stand strong for this fight the 3 big sum&%#$ are trying to break our backs but we know it will not happen. Stay the course and fight the fight.Get out there and show them that we are here to WIN.

Vote coming up this week. The closer we come to 100 per cent, the stronger we are. Vote YES.

Re: Kathleen O

Your comments of the trades dropping past animosity's and banding together are right on target. The corporate trend is most definitely towards union busting. The big picture for tradesmen is that if we don't get together in unity to support each others fights, and protect/respect each others job descriptions, then eventually we all may slowly go down. Unfortunately some trades have no strike/no sympathy clauses in their contracts that prevent them from honoring other trades lines of whatever kind in times of a labor dispute.

As a former member of Local 3, I experienced this back in 1996. We were on strike (not locked out) for 4 months. The "A" division electricians had allowed into their contract a no strike/no sympathy clause, whereby they had to cross our picket lines.

 Our own union brothers in the same local, just a different division (we were "EE") had allowed a clause going against the very idea that you are talking about. And they are not the only ones.

As far as ONE TRADE/ONE UNION, that is something the vast majority of elevator men and women wish to see. Again, unfortunately, the executive board of Local 3 are not keen to this idea. It would mean a loss of income for their "A" division electricians. The moneys that the elevator division shops pay to the hall, go into a joint pool, not entirely back to the "EE" division. The moneys are then applied where the executive board best sees fit. Ironically the executive board is made up exclusively of former "A" division electricians.

The real crime was that for the previous 7 years before our strike in 96, the electricians were on a 6 months on/6 months off furlough program due to some economic slowdown. Yet they still maintained full health benefits during their 6 months off. Money had to come from somewhere? Hmmm!

All trades need to unite together, just some have made that task a little tough to do.

                                     Protect/Respect each others work!

                                         Colin Kowalski

I want to thank all of the local 1 members for the hard work during this hard time.As a local 8 member i wanted to tell you we are all behind you(well most of us are but the few that are there)

keep up the fight brothers and sister YOU WILL WIN this fight.

Kathleen your letter illuminates a very sobering reality about the lack of governmental protection for working class/middle class  men and women against corporate greed.

Might sound somewhat naive, but how do you interest/organize mass union support/action around this lockoout?  I would personally like to serve this cause in some capacity.   Any ideas? 

The posting from the gentleman from Great Britain was truly frightening, and should serve as a cry out to all U.S. labor organizations.   What is happening to LOCAL ONE – IUEC can happen to you:  

a)      A lockout

b)      Denial of unemployment benefits

c)      Potential triple increase in COBRA benefit

d)      Questions of whether annuity loans will be available

The fight Local One is fighting is not just about the elevator industry, but about every single trade union in the U.S.  Big business, in concert with those who are SUPPOSED to represent “the people” in the NYS and Federal legislatures are chipping away, little by little, at every hard-earned protection you have.   Cries of “unfair labor practice” on the part of union representatives fall on mostly deaf ears.

So what to do?   Sounds like it is time for all trade unions to forget whatever disagreements they may have had with each other in the past and to now join as ONE VOICE and let them (and we all know who they are) know enough is enough.   Through unity there is strength – but ALL TRADES must now join in the effort and recognize the fact that your talent and skill no longer mean anything to those who run NYC and our country.   If they can make even more of a profit by hiring UNSKILLED labor, they will, and let the chips fall where they may, safety wise.   God help us all. 

One last thing:    Mr. David, what do you do with your $70+ million worth of yearly compensation?????   In addition, I read, with interest, your UTC 2004 Corporate Responsibility Report.   You and the Board of Trustees of UTC should be ashamed of yourselves for incorporating the word “responsibility” into the title of that report.    Putting it down on paper, or on the airwaves, doesn’t make it so.    You underestimate the common person’s ability to spot a con job when they see one.     

Respectfully Submitted

Kathleen J. O’Connor