OFFICE AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEESINTERNATIONAL UNION, AFL-CIO, CLC

Local 153 News

Volume 62No. 1

265 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10011 (212) 741-8282 Winter 2014

Inside

Local 153 members have a fully updated benefits booklet available at the Local 153 website! This excellent resource includes the recent increases in death and accidental death and dismemberment benefits. Because of a $2,000 benefit recently added by OPEIU, Local 153 members now have a death benefit as well as a benefit for accidental death and dismemberment of $6,000 each. Local 153 members received certificates for these added benefits in the Fall-Winter edition of White Collar magazine, along with wallet card keychain fob for the Union’s towing/service call benefit.

There’s more good news. The highly popular benefits booklet that is part of Local 153’s website has been completely updated. New benefits, such as discounts on truck rentals and union-made clothing, are included in the updated benefits booklet, along with long-time benefits such as discounts on movies and restaurants. There is lots of information in the booklet on all the scholarships that are available to Local 153 members as well as other educational savings.

That’s not all. There is a section on auto insurance that has historically saved many members hundreds of dollars a year. And

program and the Union Plus Mortgage Program. Information on both of these outstanding programs is available through the Local 153 benefits booklet.

There’s so much more. There are discounts on moving and storage, as well as pod rentals. Particularly useful in this unseasonably cold winter are the discounts available on fuel oil and service contracts through HEAT USA. There is free information available on college financing. Do you have a pet? There are discounts on pet services and even pet insurance.

All of these benefits and services and many, many others can be found in the updated benefits booklet at Local 153’s website. It has long been said that union membership has its benefits. You’ll find the evidence of this in the Local 153 union benefits booklet. Just go on the web to opeiu-tristate.org and start saving now!

members can save even more by taking the Discount Drivers’ Safety course that can be found in the benefits booklet.

Do you need a new computer? Use the benefits booklet to learn about discounts that are available for Dell computers. While you’re at it, you can also learn about AT&T wireless discounts.

There are also many discount gift certificates available by using the benefits booklet and discounts for amusement parks, Broadway plays, professional and minor league sporting events available through the Working Advantage program that all Local 153 members can use.

Are you looking for new furniture, area rugs or lamps? Check your benefits booklet to learn more about the union “members-only” discounts available at UPP Plaza furniture. By the way, your purchases will be delivered to your home free of charge if you live within 50 miles of UPP’s store.

Check the benefits booklet and you’ll find savings available on prescriptions, through a prescription drug card that can be used at more than 55,000 pharmacies.

There are additional health related discounts available, as you will see in the updated booklet, including discounts on vision and dental services.

Are you looking to buy or sell a home? The benefits booklet has information on not one but two discount real estate programs: the Real Estate Mortgage Network’s Union Advantage

Annual Retirees Luncheon Held ......................................... Page 3

50th Anniversary March on Washington ............................ Page 4

New Contract for Local 153 Members at NYCCLC................. Page 5

Statement of Activites ....................................................Pages 6-7

Office and Professional Employees

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Good News on Local 153 Members’ Benefits!

2 Local 153 News

By Michael Goodwin, Business Manager

First of all, on behalf of the officers and staff of Local 153, we wish you the best for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Unfortunately, many of our sisters, brothers and neighbors will not be enjoying the New Year because they may be among the millions of unemployed workers whose unemployment insurance has expired. Congress failed to consider proposals to extend unemployment insurance for another three months when they left for holiday in December. When I refer to Congress, I am really referring to the Republicans, the culprits who believe that extending unemployment benefits somehow makes a person lazy, dependent and unwilling to look for work. This is absolute nonsense and is a made-up cover story because many Republicans believe in the “survival of the fittest” theory that government should not provide anything to anybody. Of course, they don’t complain when their mothers and fathers receive Medicare or Social Security checks!

The truth is government is very much needed in order to provide job opportunities and growth in our economy. The reason why workers are on unemployment is because there is only one job for every three unemployed workers. So it’s not that the unemployed are lazy, dependent and unwilling to look for work, it’s simply the fact that there are not enough jobs for everyone to fill. Out of every 100 unemployed workers who apply for available jobs, only 33 are going to get hired.

The Republican theory is also debunked because they fail to recognize that by paying benefits to unemployed workers, the money will immediately create new jobs as it is spent right away on basic necessities. They also fail to recognize that workers pay contributions into the unemployment insurance fund when they are working, so they can receive benefits when they are not working – it’s their money!

It has been reported that failure to extend unemployment insurance benefits will create the loss of 240,000 jobs in 2014, because when people can’t pay the bills or buy basic necessities, local businesses also suffer. By the end of 2014, 3.6 million additional people will have their benefits taken away, if Congress fails to act. In fact, 1.3 million people had their unemployment benefits taken away at the end of 2013 because Congress failed to act. In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a “war on poverty” in America and much success has been made in winning that war, but much more needs to be done. Since 2008, it is estimated that unemployment insurance has kept 11 million people out of poverty, including 600,000 children in 2012 alone. Medicare and Medicaid have kept additional millions of seniors and poor people out of poverty since the war on poverty began.

President Obama has said that unemployment benefits are a lifeline

during a job search. He noted a woman from California who was laid off 13 months previously. During her job search she has volunteered, sent out resumes, took seasonal work and online courses to gain new skills. The job search would be next to impossible without the unemployment benefits that enabled her to pay her car and phone bills. “This is not an abstraction, these are not statistics,” said Obama. “These are your neighbors, your friends, your family members that could at some point be any of us.”

According to the Economic Policy Institute, Congress has never before allowed unemployment insurance extensions to expire with long-term unemployment as high as it is now.

All working people need to call on Congress to extend unemployment insurance benefits. Many of us are lucky enough to have a job to pay our bills, but we would be hard pressed if we lost that job and had to spend week after week and month after month looking for a new job that just doesn’t exist. Most hardworking Americans such as hotel workers, office and professional workers, teachers, cashiers, bus drivers, news reporters, janitors, construction workers, police officers, almost all of us, are one layoff, one downturn, one bad moment away from possibly losing our job and being forced into economic disaster.

The millions of people who do not have a job today are a direct result of a recession created by Wall Street that seems to go on and on with no end. It’s up to us, the working people of America, to help make the hard times of the unemployed a little easier by demanding that Congress pass the unemployment insurance benefits extension. Please contact members of Congress today by letter, email, fax, telephone call or personal visit to a district office and urge them to help the unemployed today. It will be good for them and it will be good for our economy.

Only with our help and the strong support from workers everywhere will a just society prevail!

Congress Should Extend Unemployment Benefits

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Annual Retirees Luncheon HeldA Nice Holiday Gift: Pensioners Receive Additional CheckThe annual Local 153 luncheon for retirees held in December was the scene of plenty of good cheer, and there was even some holiday joy for the retired members of the Union who weren’t able to attend the event. That’s because eligible Local 153 pensioners were notified that the Pension Fund’s Board of Trustees had approved an additional retirement check, which is the equivalent of approximately one month’s pension payment!

The annual holiday luncheon gave Local 153 retirees the chance to greet old friends and former co-workers. Local 153 Business Manager Michael Goodwin, Secretary-Treasurer Richard Lanigan, Retirees Association President Charles Ponti, Sr. and Fund Director George Bueno were among those on hand to greet retired members. All who attended agreed that it was great fun, as the photos on this page clearly show.

fought off the employer’s attempt to force bargaining unit members to pay a premium share for their health benefits. Additionally, the employer agreed to increase contributions to the Local 153 Pension Fund to ensure bargaining unit members retirement security. The agreement provides an improved dental plan and increases employee tuition reimbursement

The contract also provides that the non-union positions of senior accountant, senior computer specialist, and underwriting technical assistant

will now be included in the Local 153 bargaining unit.

The new contract strengthens job security by including language requiring the employer to discuss with Local 153 options to avoid contracting out bargaining unit work.

“The bargaining unit members are very satisfied with the agreement,” John Jones, Local 153 Chief Steward said. “The contract is fair and equitable and our members’ unanimously approved its ratification.”

Contract Reached With ULLICOLocal 153 has 50 members employed by ULLICO, and they have a new collective bargaining agreement, Business Representative Seth Goldstein has announced.

It’s a three-year agreement, retroactive to April 1, 2013. Members will receive a 2.5% increase, retroactive to April 1, 2013, and they will receive an increase of 2.5% on April 1 of this year. On April 1, 2015, the members will receive an additional increase of 2.5%.

The negotiating committee successfully

4 Local 153 News

50th Anniversary March on WashingtonBy Chloe Goldstein

(Editor’s note: Chloe Goldstein is the daughter of Local 153 Business Representative Seth Goldstein)

For the 50th Anniversary March in Washington held last August I wanted to get a better understanding of why this event was so important. And so I listened and recorded people’s expectations and opinions. One repetitive theme was the significance of all the different groups and organizations uniting for a common cause.

Madeline Shephard, in charge of the National Council of Jewish Women, said, “I am really excited to see so many organizations come together. This march is an opportunity for everyone to join as

one. It’s nice to see all groups for support.”

Jennifer Ng’andu, the director of Health and Civil Rights Policy, said, “We are linking with many other civil rights organizations and realizing Martin Luther King’s dream. We see rights within the country that are still at risk. This is unfinished business. We must recognize and bring back the dream by hopefully raising awareness to the community.”

Ms. Ng’andu also spoke about immigration rights. “I believe that there are similarities between Caeser Chavez and Martin Luther King. The African American Community and Hispanic Community are both being affected.”

Diego Miguel Sanchez, the director of Policy for PFlag National, said, “The importance of this march is for our members to bring forward a vision that was first spoken about on Washington Mall when I was in grade school. This brings to life a new generation. The LGBT community is a part of family of mankind.”

Jan Temple, the Logistics and Events Coordinator of the A Phillip Randolph Institute, listed various groups that were to join as a unit for the anniversary march: “The NAACP, the National Urban League, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), CORE, SNCC, and the National Council of Negro Women and organizations from all over the USA will come together.”

During the March I realized that I was a part of living history. I was moved when I heard civil rights leaders such as John Lewis and the Reverend Joseph Larry speak about the past and take me to a period of history that I only knew about through history class and videos. Suddenly I was at the March in 1963 and through these honorable leaders I felt Martin Luther King’s presence and his dream surround me.

When the speeches concluded, everyone marched together from the Lincoln Memorial to the Martin Luther King Memorial. I had the opportunity to shake hands with Trayvon Martin’s father, Tracy, and brother, Jahvaris Fulton. When I shook their hands I felt a chill move throughout my body. All the news that I’ve seen publicized in the media became a reality when I met the Martin family in person.

Michael Goodwin, the President of Office and Professional Employees International Union and the Business Manager of Local 153, said, “We have made progress since 1963. We have our first African American president, African Americans in the Congress, state houses, and local governments. Yet, African Americans are still facing economic hardships and this needs to be adjusted and addressed. There are still two Americas. There is a white America and a black America. We must continue to strive for equality.”

Local 153 News265 West 14th Street • New York, NY 10011

(212) 741-8282

Published Quarterly by Local 153Office and Professional Employees

International Union, AFL-CIO

Steve Turkeltaub, PresidentGwendolyn Rushing, Vice PresidentWilma Artau-Banda, Recording SecretaryMichael Goodwin, Business ManagerRichard Lanigan, Secretary-Treasurer

Second Class Postage: USPS 316980, Paid, New York, NYPostmaster: Send address changes to

Office and Professional Employees International Union, Local 153 265 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10011

U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D.-NJ) with Chloe at the 50th Anniversary March in Washington.

New Contract for Members at Yankee Stadium!Local 153 members at Yankee Stadium have a new contract!

Nearly two years of negotiations successfully ended recently for Local 153 Business Representatives Nick Galipeau and Mike Thompson and a bargaining committee consisting of Chief Shop Steward Lois Cibelli, Assistant Chief Shop Steward Joe Schmidt, and Shop Stewards Janine Mendez, Gloria Richardson and Jack Ryan.

The negotiations were held with Legends Hospitality, and the assistance of Mediator Elliott Shriftman was necessary to bring the talks to a successful conclusion. A contract was reached when the company moved on two crucial giveback demands.

Wage increases of 2½ percent for all hourly employees will be paid each year between 2014 and 2017. Those designated as in-seat runners will receive a $1.25 hourly increase in 2014. A signing bonus of 2 ½ percent was also negotiated.

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Local 153 Lavina Michl Wright Scholarships

The Lavina Michl Wright college scholarship program is open to children of Local 153 members in good standing. To apply for one of the 2014 Lavina Michl Wright scholarships, students must be attending college or be high school seniors who will be attending college in the fall of 2014.

All applications for the Lavina Michl Wright scholarships must be filed online. Students must demonstrate academic achievement (a GPA of 2.5 or higher) and financial need. The number of recipients and the amount of the scholarships depend on several factors, including fluctuations in the amount of money in the scholarship trust fund and the number of qualified applications received.

To fill out and file an application for a Lavina Michl Wright college scholarship, visit CSASCHOLARS.ORG/WRIGHT on the web. Applications and all the information you need to complete an application can be found at this website.

Don’t delay! The deadline for applying for a 2014 Lavina Michl Wright college scholarship and submitting the material required to accompany the application is February 28, 2014. Visit CSASCHOLARS.ORG/WRIGHT now!

We wish the best of luck to all students that apply.

New Contract for Local 153 Members at NYCCLCLocal 153 members employed at the New York City Central Labor Council have a new contract. It is a three-year agreement that contains a number of improvements. For starters, there are wage increases of 2.25 percent on January 1, 2014, 2.25 percent on January 1, 2015, and 2.5 percent on January 1, 2016.

The contract also has a special provision for summer hours. Members will leave one hour earlier than their normal shift time on all Fridays between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Members also received a new holiday — New Year’s Eve.

The contract also calls for an increase in the benefits of the Local 153 Dental Plan and an increase in the amount of severance pay members will receive in the event of a layoff. The contract was negotiated by Local 153 Assistant Business Manager John Edmonds, who is seen here with NYCCLC Shop Steward Phyllis Fishman and, to Edmonds’ right, Negotiating Committee Member Fragida Diaz.

6 Local 153 News

Office and Professional Employees International Union, Local 153Statements of Activities — Cash BasisFor the six months ended June 30, 2013

Mr. Richard LaniganSecretary-TreasurerOffice and Professional Employees International Union, Local 153265 West 14th Street,New York, NY 10011

Dear Mr. Lanigan,We compiled the statements of activities — cash basis of Office and Professional Employees International Union — Local 153 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

GENERAL FUNDCash balance and investments—January 1, 2013 $ 495,694

Revenue ReceivedDues $ 3,376,230Initiations 35,416Welfare and Pension Funds—Reimbursed Administrative Expenses 131,381O.P.E.I.U.—Reimbursed Administrative Expenses 135,430Refund—Office Renovation 143,409Interest Income 20Sale of Discounted Movie Tickets and Great Adventure Tickets (Membership Benefit) 14,505Disability Benefits 2,059 Total Revenue Received 3,838,450

Expenses PaidSalaries 638,396Officer’s and Business Agents’ Expenses 21,195Automobile Expenses 93,954Per Capita Taxes – Office and Professional Employees International Union 875,050 O.P.E.I.U. Strike Benefit and Defense Fund 171,320 Hotel Trades Council 191,071 Long Island Federation of Labor 2,520 New York City Central Labor Council 21,944 Dues to Affiliated Organizations 9,738Legal and Arbitration 114,992Organizing Expenses 13,640Negotiation Expenses 9,661Lost Time Wages 7,328Shop Stewards’ Expenses 11,121Consultants 6,715Renovations 37,232Rent and Electric 266,179Telephone 13,544Auditing and Accounting 15,482Loan Repayments—O.P.E.I.U. 25,000Staff 401K Administrative Fees 863Office Machine Maintenance and Rentals 38,759Stationery and Office Supplies 28,966General Office 2,825Postage and Mailing 45,472Insurance 25,337Computer Maintenance and Support 28,700Flowers 789Automatic Data Processing 2,897Conferences and Conventions 45,746

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Meeting Hall Rents 965Executive Board and Trustee’s Meetings 14,023Local 153 Health Fund and Disability 352,202Employee Pension Trust Funds 182,962Union Support Services 360Tickets, Ads, Contributions, etc. 33,498Educational and Publicity 22,009O.P.E.I.U. Local 153 Newsletter 17,951Transfers to Local 153 Defense Fund 203,763Exchange 550Returned Checks 21Member Awards 6,448Retiree Activities & Expenses 6,481Interest 260Movie and Great Adventure Tickets (Membership Benefit) 16,855Employee Withholding Taxes 133,992U.S. Government and NYS Payroll Taxes 61,141Expenses Paid before Withholding Taxes 3,819,917Less: Employees’ Withholding Tax Deductions 133,992 Total Expenses Paid 3,685,925 Increase in cash and investments 152,525Cash balance and investments—June 30, 2013 $ 648,219

DISPOSITION OF FUNDSHSBC: Checking Account $ 466,930 Settlement Account 24,089 Retirees Account 21,082Amalgamated Bank of New York: Money Market Account 80,381Banco Popular 53,839 646,321Petty Cash 1,398State of Israel Bond (at cost) 500 Total $ 648,219

DEFENSE FUNDCash balance—January 1, 2013 $ 920,840

Revenue ReceivedTransfers from Local 153 General Fund $ 203,763Interest income 228 Total Revenue Received 203991

Expenses PaidMembership Benefits: Disability Benefits 26,400 Life Insurance (Death Benefits) 55,228 Member Identity Theft Program 31,572Payments to affiliated organizations 43,320Organizing Subsidy 2,093Contributions 10,000Office Supplies and Printing 1,017Labor Day Expenses 1,000 Total Expenses Paid 170,630Increase in cash 33,361Cash balance — June 30, 2013 $954,201

DISPOSITION OF FUNDSAmalgamated Bank — Checking Account $ 620,578Amalgamated Bank — Savings Account 3,106Chase Bank — Savings Account 222,664 846,348Amalgamated Bank — Letter of Credit Account 81,775Amalgamated Bank — Letter of Credit Account 26,078 Total $954,201

Local 153 NewsOffice and Professional Employees International Union, AFL-CIO265 West 14th Street • New York, NY 10011

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• Towing/Service Call Benefit—All Local 153 members are eligible to receive a towing/service call benefit through Nation Safe Drivers, providing up to two towing/service calls per year, per household, valued at up to $100 each. The benefit applies to all Local 153 members, as well as family members living in the same household. For further information or to use this benefit, please call 1-800-617-2677.

• Identity Theft Protection—A fully-managed identity theft restoration program for Local 153 members and family members living in the same household. The program includes a professionally trained advocate assigned to all identity theft victims who will perform a fully-managed identity restoration program. It also includes a monitoring program for identity information that is traded or sold. Members should go to http://promos.privacymaxx.com/opeiu153/ to learn more or to register for this free benefit.

• Death and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Benefits—Local 153 provides members in good standing with twelve (12) consecutive months or more of membership, with a $4,000 death benefit and a $4,000 accidental death and dismemberment benefit. In addition, OPEIU will provide members in good standing with an additional $2,000 death benefit and a $2,000 accidental death and dismemberment benefit. Together, members are covered for a total of $6,000 death benefit and $6,000 accidental death and dismemberment benefit. For further information, contact your Chief Steward or call Local 153 at (212)741-8251.

• Supplementary Disability/Workers’ Compensation Benefit—A flat, once-a-year benefit of $300 will be paid to a member in good standing for 12 months or more after 6 weeks of such disability. Members must be current with payment of dues. In the event dues are not checked off by the employer while the member is on disability, the member must send dues payments directly to Local 153. For more information, call (212) 741-8251.

• Dental Care—Top quality dental care at reasonable rates may be obtained by members at the following Manhattan location—Group Health Dental Facility, 230 West 41st St. (between Seventh & Eighth Avenues) Phone (212) 398-9690. (Emblem Health is accepted as payment-in-full for most services.)

• Metrodent Dental Access Plan—Offers members a means

of reducing the high cost of dental care through a network of dentists and specialists who provide substantial savings of up to 35% on dental care. If you have not received information or have questions, call Local 153 at (212) 741-8250.

• Vision Care—Top quality vision services are available to Local 153 members at General Vision Services in all five boroughs, Westchester County, Long Island, and New Jersey. Members of the Local 153 Health Fund receive varying benefits, depending on the plan. Non-members receive discounts, too. If you are a member of the Health Fund call (212) 292-4682 for details and locations. All other union members should call (212) 741-8250.

• Auto Insurance Discount—An Accident Prevention/Defensive Driving class is available to members at no cost. Successful completion of the class will allow members with New York State drivers’ licenses to get an immediate 10% rate reduction on liability and collision premiums for three years, along with up to four points automatically deducted from their record by the Department of Motor Vehicles. In New Jersey the premium reduction is 5% and up to two points deducted. Unfortunately, Connecticut does not yet have such a program. For information, call Victoria Tirado-Roman at 212-675-3210.

• Union Purchasing Plan—Furniture and household furnishings at reduced prices. UPP Plaza Furniture is located at 121 Front Street, Massapequa, NY 11762. Phone: (516) 799-3500.

• Retirement Status—Retired members may continue membership in Local 153. Dues for retired members are $21 per year, and for $60 a year, retired members receive additional benefits, including a $2,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment benefit, the WellDyne Rx discount programs that include dental, prescription drugs, vision, hearing and a 24-hour doctor assistance line, and two (2) towing/service calls per year valued up to $100 each. For further information, call (212) 741-8262.

• Working Advantage Discounts—Provides discounts on movie tickets, video rentals, shows, theme parks, sporting events, online shopping and more. To use this program, visit www.workingadvantage.com and register as a Local 153 member by clicking on the right hand side of the home page and entering ID no. 924400144.

• Union Support Services—For information regarding alcohol and drug problems, please call 212-741-8250.

Local 153 Benefits and Services

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