District 15 Members Work on rare Corvette
Shop Steward and Lead Mechanic Tommy Pisciotti services a rare ZR-1 Corvette at Hustedt Chevrolet
in Centereach, Long Island, New York.
Atlantic City Casino Workers Rally
Senator John Corzine of New Jersey speaks to excited crowd.
Labor
Picnic, All Members Welcome!
This years Long Island Labor Picnic is scheduled for Sunday, September 9th
from 12:00 noon until 5:00PM at Eisenhower Park, East Meadow Long Island. There will be Games, Rides, Prizes, Entertainment
along with Hot dogs, Hamburgers, BBQ Chicken, Watermelon, Corn on the Cobb, Salad, Water, Soda and Beer. Tickets are $13.00
per person and children under 5 years old are free, but the District will pay for our members and their families. Just call
718-422-0090 to let us know how many tickets you need!
GVP Tucker Visits District 15
Last week, General Vice-President Lynn Tucker accompanied by DBR Jim Conigliaro were able to visit many
IAM members in the New York and New Jersey area. GVP Tucker was able to meet and greet with union members currently
employed at "ServisAir", a transportation company with rich District 15 history.
Workers
Vote "Yes"
145 Ramp Workers and Cleaners at Laguardia Airport ratified their contract
on April 24th. These were tough negotiations and District 15 Congratulates the workers at Penauille Servisair and Business
Representative Perry Esposito.
NEMF "Recognizes" District
15
On January 5, 2007, District 15 received voluntary recognition
for (15) truck drivers and dock workers at New England Motor Freight in Richmond, Virginia. This voluntary recognition is the
first part of an effort to organize several "new" terminal locations recently opened by NEMF throughout the
eastern part of the United States. Thanks to a special effort by District 15 Assistant Directing Business Representative
Mike Walsh with the support of DBR Jim Conigliaro, we were able to get the job done. District 15 is hoping to carry
this victory over to the other newly opened NEMF terminalsFifteen brings in 35 New Members
On January 17, 2007, District 15 received voluntary recognition for (35) bus operators
from Servisair at John F. Kennedy International Airport. These new members will be covered by the National Agreement
that the IAM presently has with the company. This new victory was made possible through the efforts by our
late brother from District 15, BR Charlie Hawkins and his replacement, BR Perry Esposito with the support from DBR Jim
Conigliaro. This victory was the third voluntary recognition for District 15 since the beginning of the new year.
New England Successful
at "Boston Water and Sewer"
Jim Foley
and the District 15 Staff in New England proved successful after negotiating a contract for 230 members at the "Boston
Water and Sewer Department" in only 3 days. In the 99-77 victory it became the first time the contract
had been finished before the previous contract expired. Two years ago the company went through some tough negotiations and
is proud that Business Representative Foley was able to complete this task. Congratulations to Jim, the members and the
District 15 Staff.
District 15 Takes Wins Streak to Five!
On Friday, December 1, 2006, District 15 notched their 5th consecutive NLRB organizing victory since June by bringing in
13 new members from the Wizard Car & Truck Leasing Company in Fort Lee, New Jersey. The members spoke loudly as was
reflected in their 9-1 decisive victory. These new members work as reservations agents, car transporters, and car washers.
Special thanks to Directing Business Representative Jim Conigliaro, Director of Organizing Vinny Addeo, and Business
Representative Juan Negron for their committment to helping workers in need.
Fifteen Wins Election @ J.D'Addario
On Tuesday, November 28, 2006, District
15 won a very contested organizing campaign at J. D'Addario & Company, Inc., in Farmingdale, New York. This victory
brought 17 highly-skilled maintenance mechanics into our union who maintain the production equipment at one of the world's
largest manufacturer of guitar strings, drum heads, and other musical instrument parts. This organizing campaign also sparked
interest from the 500-600 production workers who are also employed at the facility. This group is already in the process
of getting started. This was the third try by the workers to organize, but the first attempt for the IAM. Special thanks
to Director of Organizing Vinny Addeo and Business Representatives Perry Esposito and Juan Negron for their tireless
efforts and the continued commitment and support of DBR Jim Conigliaro to organizing new members. This victory marked
the 4th consecutive NLRB organizing victory for District 15 since June.
World
Yatch Awarded First Contract
After a solid year of difficult circumstances incurred through negotiations with World
Yacht Dinner Cruise Lines, District 15 was able to reach a “first contract”, which was passed by their newest
members on Thursday, November 2, 2006. This milestone victory for the workers proves the fact that we can still be successful
by organizing through the NLRB. This latest success story brings 88 new members into our union who also happen to be a “new
breed” of membership which include waiters, bus boys, bartenders, and dishwashers who all work aboard cruise boats.
All of this could not have been possible without the tireless efforts and expertise of Business Representative Dominick Taibbi
who was assisted by Business Representative Juan Negron. This group of workers were organized by the team at District 15 back
on October 24, 2005. Special thanks to DBR Jim Conigliaro for his continued support and commitment to organizing new members.
Victory
in Wappingers Falls!
On October
17, 2006, District 15 won a decisive 9-5 victory over Teamsters Local 1205 at Chelsea Forest Products in Wappingers Falls
, NY . These IAM members work as truck drivers, mill workers, and forklift drivers. The IBT continues to raid unionized workforces
around the country instead of organizing workers who are in dire need of representation. Their arrogance and disrespect for
other unions is a true reflection on the vast division in the house of labor. Thanks to the continued commitment to organizing
and to protecting our members by DBR Jim Conigliaro, District 15 refuses to bow down to unions like the IBT who take the liberty
to raid our IAM represented properties. District 15 Organizing Director Vinny Addeo and Business Representative Perry Esposito
worked hard to reassure our members that belonging to a professional organization like the IAM was in their best interest.
Dialysis Clinic Wins Election!
On October 5th, District 15 brought 18 new members into District 15 through
a 12-2 election victory conducted by Region 29 of the NLRB. They are
Dialysis Technicians who work at the Dialysis Clinic Inc. in Staten Island , NY .These workers were subjected to ruthless
anti-union propaganda for the last three weeks including a “40-minute Anti- IAM Video”. Thanks to their trust
in our representatives at District 15 along with their solidarity,
they were able to prevail. Special thanks to BR Dominic Taibbi for bringing this lead to the District. Thanks to Director
of Organizing, Vincent Addeo and also thanks to BR Robert Motisi and Organizer Jim Conigliaro, Jr. for helping out with
our employee meetings.
District 15 New England holds on to Pumpernickel
Jim Foley and
the staff of District 15 N.E. ratified a new five year agreement with Pumpernickel Express in Taunton MA . This was previously a
union shop but was put up for bid and won by Pumpernickel. Normally, the District stood to lose fifty IAM members
but because of the hard work of the New England District 15 staff and the solidarity of their membership they have
secured a Five year contract with great benefits. Congratulations to Jim Foley, the staff in New England and to the Membership
at Pumpernickel.
IAM awards "Sisters of the Month"
Connie
Hoyt and Cat Treiber from District 15 LL 1529 were selected by the Women's Department at National Headquarters to hold
this Honor for the month of September for their dedicated work at Amphenol. This is a wonderful accomplishment and we congratulate both Connie and Cat.
District 15 New England "Raises" the Bar
for Guide Dogs
The District 15 Staff of New England has once again proven successful in their
drive to raise money for the "Guide Dogs of America". This year was their 3rd Annual Charles Foley Memorial Golf
Outing in memory of a past local president and admired union leader. The outing brought in their highest profit
yet of approximately $24,600 dollars. The sold-out event started with breakfast and included golf,
lunch and some charitable raffles throughout the day, also on hand was Guide Dog President Jay Borman to show his
appreciation and gratitude to District 15. Congratulations to District 15 New England and special thanks to Russell Gittlen,
Jim Foley, Paul Salemme and all others who made this event possible. The next Guide Dogs of America Fundraiser is
a Golf Outing in Long Island, NY where District 15 New York still awaits golfers and sponsors.
District 15 Honored by Pakistani-Americans
August 15, 2006
On August 13, 2006 in Eisenhower Park, District 15 was the recipient of
an award/citation from the Pakistani-American Community. Our several-hundred Black Car (limo drivers) who are members
of Local 447/District 15 are majority Pakistani. The Citation, presented by County Executive Tom Suozzi on behalf of the Pakistani
Community reflects District 15/Local 447 continued efforts to improve the working conditions, benefits and livelihood of Black
Car Drivers in New York as well as inviting Pakistani-Americans to join our union. We not only fight for the dues-paying,
union member drivers, but we also fight legislatively for all 12,000 Black Car Drivers rights.
District 15 Amphenol Seeks Assistance
August 8, 2006
District 15 union members in Sidney, New York
find themselves in the middle of a disaster and in need of assistance. DBR Jim Conigliaro and the staff of District 15
donate a total of $8,000 dollars to those in need. Please click here for full story and information.
Hudson Toyota/Nissan
votes "Union, Yes"! June 26, 2006
Congratulations! District 15 marks up a 19-6 organizing victory at Hudson Toyota / Nissan in Jersey City, NJ. We now have 30 new members (car washers,
detailers, and special equipment installation technicians) who will be sure to get a fair contract. Special thanks to Juan
Negron for initiating this organizing drive and Vinny Addeo for leading the way. "This guy had all of the people intimidated
and scared for their job. It took 3 consecutive nights of educating these guys until the dealership closed to convince them
to do the right thing". I am proud that they stood up to management. Juan will bring these 30 new members into the existing
collective bargaining agreement that he services there for the mechanics and parts employees. Thanks for all of your support
and cooperation. We are now back on track to exceed the goals set forth in Denver.
District 15 receives "Organizing
Award" June 20, 2006
The International
Association of Machinists gathered in Denver, Colorado for the Staff Conference of 2006. Upon arriving on opening night, District
15 was given an award for their above average success in "Organizing". With this award, District 15 upholds
it's reputation as one of the top organizing districts in the IAM. Congratulations to the whole staff of District 15 and
keep up the good work!
District 15 and Interstate Material Rally in front of Borough
Hall- June 9, 2006
On June 8, District 15 rallied to save the jobs
of approximately 50 union members that worked for "Interstate Material", a transfer yard that was operated under
the Department of Sanitation for the borough of Staten Island. The yard was shut down by Commissioner Doherty of Staten Island
putting 50 union workers and their families on the streets. These workers include mechanics, truck drivers, dump-truck drivers
and clerical workers. In reaction, a little over 100 supporters gathered in front on Borough Hall to fight for "Jobs
and Justice"!
Congratulations to Penske Truck Leasing
for a First Contract in Burlington, New Jersey!- June 5, 2006
As of May 1, 2006, 12 members at Penske Truck Leasing in Burlington, New Jersey will have there
first union agreement including the IAM National Pension Fund. Congratulations to District 15 and Steve Staab for leading
the way. Job well done!
