November 15, 2005
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Let me first say, to all of those individuals who believe in me and who
are supporting me with this huge undertaking, Thank You. At this time
I’m sure everyone has received my first letter of correspondence and
resume. If anyone would like references they are available upon request.
I will gladly provide names and phone numbers for you to call. If you
did not receive one and would like a copy feel free to contact me via
e-mail, Drue67@aol.com or
@ 718-757-1497. You can also view them on 798members.com. I am very
excited and thrilled that everyone’s voice, new or old, can and will be
heard. I will however, be making few correspondences through the
unofficial web-site of 798members.com. I feel the hostility is uncalled
for and frankly I have way too much work to do for the membership, than
to send anonymous letters badgering my opponent’s character,
qualifications and intentions. It is unfortunate that a person under the
constitution can’t even exercise his or her right to run for office and
help to make our union better without the constant abuse from a few
members. It is even a bigger disappointment when after having an I.T.
computer professional navigate their way into these forum discussions to
reveal that the” Hurricane Andrew” excerpt has come from one of our new
E-Board members. How disturbing! Is this what our union deserves and
expects from our leaders? That every time someone voices there
constitutional rights they will be called names and chastised for
wanting to improve our local. I sure hope that this person will learn to
redirect their energy into something more positive for our members. I
for one would like to know that our new E-Board is as professional as
any, with the positions which they have earned and been graciously
given.
With that said and finally put to rest, I will not answer anything
unless it is constructive and well thought out. I have worked very hard
with at least a dozen of our members and most of our shop stewards to
find out your concerns and to put together what I feel will put us in
the right direction for our immediate and distant future. Along with the
work that has already been established, our union will be, back on the
right track! Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to serve
you and to bring my professionalism to the table.
Enclosed you will find a plan for the future. Please read this through,
it concerns your livelihood. In it is a collection of ideas from other
unions, members of our union, myself and some ideas overlapping with our
new president’s hand out at the meeting on November 7th. Please keep in
mind that I will be one voice on an executive board. Outside of the
duties specifically stated in the constitution as Secretary/Treasurer
which I am very familiar. Utilizing QuickBooks, budgeting and
correspondence are areas I am very comfortable with. I will be working
collectively with others always conveying to do, what is in the best
interest of the members.
Best Wishes,
Andrew C. Lavenziano
Building a Stronger Union
Membership Involvement:
First and foremost membership involvement is the key to our success. As
a first order of business Contracts and copies of The Constitution will
be distributed to all members who do not have them. For too long many
members have felt uninformed and unrepresented, (especially those
outside the Tri-State area). The current Local 798 Constitution calls
for general membership meetings to be held in New York. I propose that
effective January 1, 2006 general membership meetings be held every
month, (on the second Monday of each month) in New York. Furthermore, I
propose that in states that membership exceeds 50 members; there shall
be at least 3 special meetings per year. In states with less than 50
members; there will be at least one special meeting per year. If members
outside the Tri-State area want their voices heard at the general
membership meetings held in New York, they can write in their proposals,
comments, or complaints to the Secreatary/Teasurer, who will then read
their correspondence at the next meeting.
Knowledge is Power! An educated and informed membership is our greatest
strength. To that end I propose setting up an official Local 798 website
where members can view any and all relevant information pertaining to
the Local. Membership input is vital. Copies of all collective
bargaining agreements will be available for viewing. Online member
surveys and all important dates of events will be posted. A separate
website will be set up for the Health and Pension Funds where members
can securely access personal information for accuracy and keep up to
date on any benefit changes. For those members without computer access,
we will do semi-annual mailings (in conjunction with a newly designed
newsletter) on anything that appears on these websites.
Contracts and Benefits:
For each and every member of Local 798 the next contract that you work
under is of vital importance to you and your families. In the past,
membership involvement in contract negotiations was minimal to say the
least. I propose that every member have the opportunity to make written
proposals for their contract. In addition, a negotiating committee
comprised of members, business agents and executive board members will
be present at all negotiating sessions and report any progress back to
the membership. The members on the committee will be a diverse group
representative of all jobs and geographical jurisdictions. They will sit
across the bargaining table face to face with their employers, as equals
and not as employees. All contracts must be ratified by the membership!
Ultimately, what can be negotiated in terms of contributions in your
contract; will directly effect the level benefits you receive for both
Health and Pension. WE MUST AND WILL GET THE EMPLOYERS TO CONTRIBUTE
MORE TOWARDS OUR BENEFIT FUNDS! Hand in hand with higher contributions
to the funds, as a Trustee to the Health and Pension Funds I will make
sure that the administrative expenses are streamlined and brought within
reason. I will make sure our investments are sound and more important,
appropriately safe.
I also believe that we should reach out to other Locals of our
International and start a dialogue as to how we can help each other in
our efforts to obtain the best contracts for our members. Together I
know we can help each other. There should be no pride in authorship. An
exchange of ideas with other Locals and other Unions is invaluable.
Health Insurance:
Okay here is the problem with our health insurance. Bottom line is this,
we have more family plans than single plans and a lot of members with
enough contributions in on their behalf have now for the most part have
stopped working as much. More money is going out then coming in. For
whatever reason, maybe there just isn’t enough work. Furthermore, the
employers without a doubt need to contribute more. We also need to
qualify people on a six month term instead of 9 months the way it is set
up now from the first of the year to the end of September. This will
give members two chances to qualify for coverage. I have heard very good
things about The National plans available through the I.A. throughout
the U.S. from other members. I will be exploring these plans and others
as well. Right now for the member that almost has enough contributed to
qualify and then falls short only to see those funds go back into the
pool is wrong and something desperately needs to be done, immediately! I
think most people know that they will be paying something. I will be
exploring options for people to be making contributions to supplement
the difference when they come up short. Of course we will need the
employer trustee’s cooperation. We need to have increased contributions
to the Welfare Fund in order to keep up with the escalating costs of
health care.
Real Estate:
152 West 24th Street is an asset that only the membership can decide
what to be done with. According to the street and financial papers the
real estate bubble bursting is not a threat; however you will not see
the 16 – 18% increases in real estate anymore. Projections of 4% to 6%
will be what the industry is looking for in the near future according to
Investors Business Daily. I can tell you it would not be wise to sell.
This building has to immediately be refinanced. At 8.46%, a balance of
268,233.85 as of 11/10/05 and a balloon of approximately 230,000 due in
February of 2007 or the interest increases to 13.46% this membership has
overpaid the banks for way too long! Balloon mortgages were used in the
late 90’s because the interest rates were high and this allowed you a
lower rate of interest with a lump sum do at the end of the loan.
However, right now we are overpaying 2.56 % on 268,233.85. If we
refinanced now we will go from a payment of 3028.53 per month, to
1590.99 on a 30 yr fixed rate @5.9% and save over the course of the year
18,688.02. Even with closing fees at 15,000 we are still in the black. I
also see a wealth of opportunity to utilize our air rights and expand
our building. This investment made on our behalf is priceless and should
never be sold. And to allow a real estate agent to tell you they will be
charging 10% to sell is unconscionable. Furthermore, I know the work of
our Real Estate committee is a wealth of information however; allowances
need to be made and not be put off any further.
Additional Membership Benefits:
Annual Surveys: personal info updates, work conditions, comments,
concerns, etc…
Legal Services
Scholarship Fund: for members children, to members, to family of
members
Strike Fund
Scheduled Educational Workshops: from apprentices to journeyman
training
Annual Shop Steward Seminar : education for all shop stewards for a
more efficient work environment and problem solving techniques
Newsletter Reform: Layout streamlined, Letters from officers, monthly
financials, Correspondence from all 5 districts (3, 4,7,10 & 14),
schedule of events, upcoming work, member announcements, etc…
Areas of Concern to be addressed:
Employer audits of fund contributions: streamline the time it takes
for our contributions to reach our funds.
Stop this trickle down theory thinking, that what’s good for the Tri –
State area is good for the rest of the Nation
Need Security agreement in the Majors
At some point we should be conducting meetings in our own space
5 District reps, voted on by members of each individual district
Integrate with other unions so work doesn’t leave town
Work hand in hand with The I.A. and not outside groups
Other Proposals:
In order to save administrative costs, one idea would be to combine our
coalition of unions and have one fund. This would include Local 1, Local
306, Local751, Local 764, Local 798, local 829 and finally ATPAM (assoc.
of theatrical press agents and managers). This alleviates having 7
Lawyers, 7 fund managers, 7 accountants and actuaries, and a numerous
amount of back office work saving hundreds of thousands if not millions
of dollars a year.
Our union can be the first to have their own hair salon
with make-up and
other services in our building on the first floor. With our credentials
we can charge top money for our services and have another artistic
outlet supplementing our incomes. With the money being paid by each
individual member to rent space it would be like you were paying
yourself twice or not paying rent at all because you own a piece of the
building. You are the landlord, therefore you benefit in more ways then
one. Schedules can be made up whether a member wants to work 1 day a
week or more than that. This would be a great way to get back in touch
within the salon environment for anyone, especially those on Broadway
performing the same work 8 shows a week. It can also be used for outside
people wanting to perform their services even one time for a special
occasion. The proposal of a business plan committee would be in charge
of the entire planning, designing, marketing, budgeting, etc…
Now, I ask you don’t you want the best person with the best credentials.
Two years of working to get into our union while running a business and
over 5 ½ years in officially, doesn’t classify me as a stranger.
© 2005 798members.com updated:
11/19/2005