The U.S. will remain the world’s biggest oil producer this year after overtaking Saudi Arabia and Russia as extraction of energy from shale rock spurs the nation’s economic recovery, Bank of America Corp. said.
U.S. production of crude oil, along with liquids separated from natural gas, surpassed all other countries this year with daily output exceeding 11 million barrels in the first quarter, the bank said in a report today. The country became the world’s largest natural gas producer in 2010. The International Energy Agency said in June that the U.S. was the biggest producer of oil and natural gas liquids.
ALBANY, N.Y. – As the labor dispute at the Long Island Rail Road heads toward its final innings, some officials are beginning to look to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, whom they see as the Mariano Rivera of political closers.
“His track record on these matters is very good,” said Lee Miringoff, a political science professor and director of the Marist College poll. “He seems to know where his goals are and know where the votes are to get an agreement.”
Visitors to Horicon Marsh in Mayville, Wisconsin will have new scenery to enjoy with the completion of the latest Union Sportsmen’s Alliance Work Boots on the Ground, all-volunteer project that brings together union members from all over the country for conservation. Union volunteers, all members of the South Central Wisconsin and Northeast Building and Construction Trades councils, donated their time and expert trade skills to put a roof on a picnic pavilion and refurbish bridge decking in need of repair on June 13. Throughout the day, workers installed roof tresses and shingles and repaired and replaced portions of a bridge deck that were weathered and in need of refurbishing. Dave Branson, Executive Director of the South Central Wisconsin Building and Construction Trades Council, headed up the project. “It’s nice to get out in the community and do something for the marsh out there that people can use and enjoy,” Branson said. Union volunteers, including members of Sheet Metal Local 18, and the South Central Federation of Labor. Wisconsin resident Tim Bindl, who formerly coordinated the USA’s Work Boots on the Ground program, lent some additional elbow grease to the project. “Union volunteers bring expert skills and sincere dedication to our Work Boots on the Ground projects all over the country,” said Fred Myers, Executive Director and CEO of the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance. “They bring a strong work-ethic to the job in small towns and big cities, making a huge impact in our daily lives. They want to give back in their local communities, and being part of our conservation initiatives gives them a way to do that.” Erin Railsback, Visitor Services Manager at Horicon Marsh, said The Egret Trail, where the work took place, is the most popular site on the refuge. “It’s fantastic that this group was able to donate the time to help enhance the facilities for our visitors,” Railsback said. “Because of their volunteerism and commitment to conservation and education, thousands of visitors will be able to take advantage of the shelter…and continue to enjoy access to the marsh itself.”
I would like to congratulate John Previsch who was elected president of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers’ Transportation Division this week. In addition to John, I would like to extend my congratulations and best wishes to National Legislative Director James A. Stem who will retire September 30. He will be replaced by John Risch who I look forward to working with on behalf of the members of this great International Union. Besides Risch and Previsich, I would like to also like to congratulate David B. Wier, John E. Lesniewski, John R. England, Doyle K. Turner, Jeremy R. Ferguson, Troy L. Johnson and Adhi S. Reddy on their successful elections. Together, I look forward to all of us moving forward together as one united Union for the benefit of all our members.
Joseph J. Nigro SMART General President
The Atlanta area is in the middle of a workforce drought. With major construction projects—such as the new Atlanta Falcons stadium—on the horizon, the renovation of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Baxter Chemical and the Vogtle electric generating plant—Sheet Metal Workers Local 85 is seeking qualified apprentices.
“We want somebody who is looking for a career, not a job,” said Alan Still, apprentice coordinator at Local 85’s training center. “We want those who want to get in there and go to work. They’re not afraid of hard work.”
The International Training Institute, the education arm of the unionized sheet metal and air conditioning industry, provides curriculum for four- or five-year programs at 153 training centers across the country. Apprentices accepted into the program graduate with zero tuition debt.
The jobs highest in demand are welders and HVAC fabricators and installers. Once buildings are complete, TAB specialists will be needed to get the HVAC systems up and running at efficient and energy-saving levels.
Applicants must have a high school diploma, or equivalent, and pass an entrance exam. For some of the federally-funded job sites, such as Vogtle, apprentices will be required to go through a federal background check before being permitted to work.
“We want top-notch people,” Still said. “Our industry can’t afford to take just anybody. We need someone who is going to produce.”
As a result of the influx of work scheduled to hit the Atlanta area in the next year or so, Local 85 is adding an apprenticeship class to the 2014 roster in addition to the two previously scheduled and is also recruiting qualified, experienced applicants.
“When I joined the apprenticeship, I looked at it as a great opportunity. I did the best job I could and because of that, I’m where I am today,” Still said. “We need applicants like that.”
Currently, approximately 70 applicants are sought to fill the August apprenticeship class. In addition to the 44 students who started the program in August 2013, another class of 22 apprentices began training as part of a second class in February. To plan for the future work at the Vogtle project, Local 85 also has leased a 5,200-square-foot building near the job site in Augusta, Georgia. The building will house a welding school and fabrication and lagging shop. Apprentices from Augusta also will be sought to help meet the job demand in that area.
Kelsey Hicks, 17, of Reed High School in Reno, Nevada, won the gold medal in sheet metal work at the Nevada Skills USA competition March 26-28 at Sheet Metal Workers Local 88’s training center in northeast Las Vegas. The silver medalist was Tanner Vaughn of the Academy of Arts, Careers and Technology High School with the bronze medal going to Nicholas Heward of McQueen High School—all of Reno. Hicks was one of eight competitors— and the only female—in the sheet metal competition this year.
The theme for this year’s contest was “Champions at Work: Educated and Skilled to Lead America.” Winners from state competitions are scheduled to attend the 50th Annual National Leadership and Skills Conference June 23-27 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Dan Rose, apprentice coordinator at Local 88’s training center, has been involved with Skills USA for 12 years and hosts the sheet metal competition whenever it takes place in Las Vegas. Students are judged on the quality of their written exam, interview, resume and hands-on project.
“The group today is the most professional group I’ve seen so far. This program introduces these kids to a career choice they may not have known before,” Rose said. Students accepted into the four-year apprentice program attend on virtually a full scholarship, earn a living while they are in school and graduate with zero college debt. “It also opens up our facility to those schools that participate. I want them to know what’s out there. Sheet metal apprenticeship is not an alternate to college. We are a college. I’m not a training coordinator. I’m a dean.”
With construction projects picking up in the Las Vegas Valley, Rose believes the future of sheet metal work is the apprenticeship program and the students involved in the Skills USA competition.
Hicks became interested in sheet metal when she was recovering from a volleyball injury and needed something to keep her busy. A teacher at her school suggested sheet metal and, following her recovery, she dropped volleyball to hone her sheet metal skills.
“I wanted to win at something. I wanted to do something to not feel like a loser,” Hicks said of her switch to sheet metal. “(My teacher) brought me out of that. I realized I was really good at it, and I dropped volleyball.”
Going into this year’s competition, Hicks was the 2013 Nevada Skills USA champion. She went on to place 13th in the national competition last summer.
“It’s something I enjoy. All my skills are incorporated into it,” Hicks said. “I know it’s what I want to do as a career path.”
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure the United States has a skilled workforce. Skills USA helps each student excel with the mission to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens.
Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has signed legislation that will make West Virginia the first state to require anyone who installs fire and smoke dampers to be licensed. In a state with little to no building code, the new law is a major step toward insuring only properly trained individuals handle fire and smoke damper installation and repairs as well as HVAC work.
Under the law, inspections and enforcement will be conducted by either the State Fire Marshal or the West Virginia Division of Labor. Currently, only contractors who provide these services are regulated. The technicians who work for contractors are not regulated in terms of requiring formal training.
The push for the new safety legislation in West Virginia was led by SMART Sheet Metal Workers Local 33, with support from members of sister locals like Sheet Metal Workers Local 24 and 100.
“SMART is committed to extensive training for all its members, insuring they are the best trained in the HVAC industry,” said Mike Coleman, Local 33 President and Business Manager. He believes the safety of the public is insured through this legislation because only properly trained individuals will handle these installations. “The inspection component of this new law makes sure that safety continues to be a top priority,” Coleman added.
Journeymen who are members of SMART will likely be grandfathered in if they have logged a certain number of relevant work hours. Meanwhile, future members are expected to obtain the needed license through the course of the apprenticeship program.
From the beginning, the main argument for establishing regulation of HVAC/fire damper technicians was safety. That was reiterated a year ago, before the bill was even introduced in the state legislature, when the proposal was first reviewed by the state’s “legislative auditor.” Any legislation that involves creation or changes to licensing or certification in West Virginia must be reviewed to determine if such a proposal will benefit the public.
“Improper installation of HVAC or fire damper systems can lead to injury, death, or destruction of property,” the application states, “and since individuals performing this work are not required to be licensed, they are therefore not subject to knowledge or skills requirements.”
During the review process, the Division of Labor, State Fire Marshal, State Fire Commission, and the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety (DMAPS) all indicated that regulating HVAC technicians and fire damper technicians would be a benefit and enhance public protection.
“The proposed regulation/statute changes are indeed necessary to protect the safety and welfare of the public,” Acting State Fire Marshal Anthony Carrico said in a prepared statement submitted during the review process. “In particular, the installation and maintenance of ‘fire dampers’ are a critical component of any building engineered to minimize the spread of smoke and or flame through the mechanical spaces and ductwork.”
The final report from the auditor agreed with most of the reasoning detailed in the application—allowing the bill to be introduced.
“State regulation would ensure that technicians have proven knowledge in relevant codes, standards, and regulations set by organizations such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA),” the legislative auditor report said.
To read or download a copy of the report, go to: www.legis.state.wv.us/Joint/PERD/perdrep/HVAC_11_2013.pdf.
The importance of public safety and the value in licensing trained technicians were repeated at each step of the legislative process, which helped garner support in both the State House and Senate.
In the coming year, the actual rules and regulations for enforcing the new law will be reviewed and negotiated. That also must go to the state legislature for approval next year. If the process goes smoothly, the new licenses will be mandatory by January 1, 2016.
Hard Work, Good Plan Helped Bill Move Quickly
Previous efforts in West Virginia by different labor trades to advance legislation that created new regulations or licensing requirements often took years to complete.
Since the state legislature is “in session” for just 60 days each year, there is limited time for debate and compromise, leaving much of that work for study committees held sporadically during the rest of the year.
That makes this year’s effort by SMART all the more impressive. The hard-working team of dedicated labor representatives was able to introduce the bill for the licensing of HVAC installers and fire damper technicians and have it pass in one legislative session— an almost unprecedented accomplishment in West Virginia.
“There were so many moving pieces, it was amazing,” said Randy Gombos, director of organizing for SMART Local 33, who served as the point man for the bill. “It’s an intense and complicated process. [Bills of this nature] can often take years and years (to get passed).”
A previous bill supported by the plumbers and pipefitters as well as different legislation endorsed by union electricians both took multiple years before a final vote was held by the state legislature.
Steve White, the director of the Affiliated Construction Trades Foundation of West Virginia, said the team of sheet metal workers— led by Local 33, with support from Local 24 and Local 100—had a solid approach to getting the legislation passed.
“Like a good construction project, the number one step is good preparation,” White said. “They did a good job getting ready and getting other local unions involved. They talked to the other crafts and also got the contractors on board.”
The effort to create the new licensure requirements started in 2013, when the application was submitted to the legislative auditor. “It’s really quite an undertaking,” Gombos said of the review process that concluded when the final report was issued in November.
Armed with a supportive opinion fro m the legislative auditor, House Bill 4392 was introduced in the West Virginia House of Representatives in January, where it was assigned to two committees for review. Over the next few weeks, Gombos said the team of sheet metal workers scheduled meetings with legislators to gauge feelings and opinions on the bill. Changes were made to garner additional support.
White agreed that these efforts helped move the bill along. “They had a great team on the ground,” he said. “They talked to as many legislators as they could. They listened and when possible, agreed to make changes.” The momentum from the numerous conversations and help from some political allies helped the bill traverse through the two house committees and then its eventual passage—sending it to the State Senate to re-start the review process.
After review by the Senate’s Government Organization Committee, the bill eventually cleared the Senate with only a few minor amendments.
The members of the team that worked to pass the bill included: Jeff Rowe, Business Representative, Local 24; Bobby Ina, Lobbyist for Local 33; Randy Gombos, Director of Organizing for Local 33; Steve Hancock, Organizer for Local 33; Scott Mazzulli, Business Representative for Local 33; Steve Singleton, Local 33 member; Dave Efaw, Secretary-Treasurer of the West Virginia Building Trades; and Steve White, Director of ACT West Virginia.
While not involved on a day-to-day basis, the following members provided assistance during the process: Scott Hammond, Business Manager for Local 24; Sam Schaffer, JATC Instructor for Local 24; Jeremy Sarver, Local 24 member; Tim Cook, Local 24 apprentice; Mike Coleman, Business Manager for Local 33; Jim King, Business Representative for Local 33; Steven Perdue, Business Representative for Local 33; Dean Tuell, Business Representative for Local 33; Scott Newell, JATC Instructor for Local 33; Josh Tullius, Local 33 Trustee; Robert Boothe, Local 33 member; Daniel Criss, Local 33 member; Ben Oldaker, Local 33 apprentice; Elijah Smith, Local 33 apprentice; and Dakota Wills, Local 33 apprentice.
A federal jury in Maine has awarded $400,000 in back pay and punitive damages to a former foreman of the Springfield Terminal Railway Co. who was fired after refusing orders to force an untrained worker to clean up a 2011 chemical spill in North Yarmouth.
The Portland Press Herald reported that the jury, after a four-day trial in U.S. District Court in Portland last week, awarded Jason Worcester $150,000 in back pay and compensation and $250,000 in punitive damages.
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – John Previsch was elected president of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers’ Transportation Division June 30, shortly after the opening of the union’s First Transportation Division Convention at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel.
Previsich, who had been elevated to the position of SMART Transportation Division President Oct. 1, 2013, was challenged for the office by members Mark B. Burrows, Scott Cole and Gary Robison. He received 434 votes of the 485 ballots cast.
Current Alternate National Legislative Director John J. Risch III was elected the Transportation Division’s National Legislative Director and will assume the office Oct. 1. National Legislative Director James A. Stem announced his intention to retire Sept. 30 and did not seek re-election. Risch was opposed by the Transportation Division’s Utah State Legislative Director F. Jay Seegmiller of Local 166 at Salt Lake City. Risch won the election after receiving 285 votes of the 485 valid votes cast.
Incumbent Transportation Division Vice Presidents David B. Wier, John E. Lesniewski, John R. England, Doyle K. Turner and Jeremy R. Ferguson were returned to office by acclamation.
Due to the elimination of the position of SMART Transportation Division assistant president in 2013, Article 21B, Section 35, of the SMART Constitution provides for a successor to the president of the Transportation Division in the event a vacancy occurs between conventions. To provide for such a contingency, delegates elected Lesniewski to that position by acclamation.
Election results for two additional vice president positions were as follows:
Vice President Troy L. Johnson defeated Union Pacific GO 577 General Committee of Adjustment Secretary Charles “Buddy” Piland of Local 1205 at Kingsville, Texas, 270-210.
Santa Monica Municipal Bus Lines GO SMB General Chairperson Adhi S. Reddy defeated incumbent Vice President – Bus Bonnie Morr, 256-228.
In the election for the office of Transportation Division Alternate National Legislative Director, Arizona State Legislative Director Gregory K. Hynes defeated Seegmiller, Louisiana State Legislative Director David S. Duplechain and Virginia State Legislative Director Patrick A. Corp, 274-142-47-22.
July 1 elections:
Federal Railroad Administrator Joe Szabo addressed the delegation on the second day of the First SMART Transportation Division Convention. His remarks can be found here.
At the conclusion of Szabo’s speech, the following elections were held:
Alternate Vice President Bus – East Calvin Studivant was re-elected by acclamation.
Guillermo Rosales of Local 1607 defeated Bonnie Morr, 276-210, for the position of Alternate Vice President Bus – West.
Among seven candidates for six alternate vice president positions, incumbents R.W. “Red” Dare, Danny L. Young, Brent C. Leonard, Mark H. Cook, Chadrick J. Adams and Anthony Simon were returned to office. Candidate Robert J. Keeley received the fewest votes.
Board of Appeals members Dale B. Barnett Jr., Tessa R. Burkle, Dirk A. Sampson, Alvy Hughes and candidate David W. Patenaude were elected by acclamation.
Executive Board members Stephen T. Dawson, Steven C. Mavity, Michael N. Anderson, Robert Resendez Jr. and Phillip J. Craig were elected by acclamation.
John D. Whitaker III was elected to the office of Alternate to the Executive Board by acclamation.
A member of SMART Transportation Division Local 31 at San Jose, Calif., Previsich began his transportation career with Southern Pacific Transportation Company, where he commenced work as a train-service operations employee in San Francisco. He later transferred to engine service and achieved certification as both a railroad conductor and locomotive engineer.
Previsich started doing work as a local union officer in the mid-1980s. Thereafter, he moved into a system-wide position as a general chairperson in the early 1990s, followed by his election to UTU International vice president in 2007. He was re-elected in 2011, elevated to the position of assistant president in 2012 and assumed the responsibilities of the general secretary and treasurer position on Jan. 1, 2013.
Having a special interest in transportation-industry safety issues, Previsich is the SMART Transportation Division representative on the Federal Railroad Administration’s Rail Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) and has served on numerous subcommittees associated with RSAC. In addition, he is a cabinet-level appointee to the National Freight Advisory Committee, a group that reports directly to the secretary of transportation on MAP-21, a program charged with assisting in the development of administration policy on a national freight plan for the 21st century.
During the course of his career, Previsich has advocated on behalf of his members in mergers and consolidations in the rail and airline industries, 13(c) transactions, divestitures, national and local contract negotiations and numerous arbitrations and mediations, securing and defending collective bargaining agreements on properties large and small.
At least one Long Island Rail Road employee has gotten a good deal from the MTA recently.
With unionized LIRR workers readying for a possible strike next month, the Daily News has learned that the railroad’s former president, Helena Williams, who was fired two months ago, remains on the payroll under an arrangement designed to enhance the value of her pension.
