Regional Manager’s Report 2

President’s Report 2

From the Funds 3

Training Schedules & Union Participation 4 - 5

Local News 6 -7

Inside this Issue

Union Meeting Schedule Winter 2015-2016

Date Type Location Time

December 16, 2015 Quarterly Meeting 3247 Vickery Rd. Syracuse, NY 13212

All Meetings start at 6 PM

January 20, 2016 Regular Meeting 23 Market St Binghamton, NY 13905

February 17, 2016 Regular Meeting 3247 Vickery Rd. Syracuse, NY 13212

From left to right: Brother Brad Mierke, Brother Ron Cellamare Jr., & Brother Alex Farley

Local Carpenters Recognized for Excellence

Carpenters Local #277 had three members win awards. Brother Ron Cellamare Jr. again won the

award in the Interior Division for his work for Sherman Construction at the Griffiss International

Airport. The Exterior Division award was given to Brother Alex Farley for his work for Edward

Schalk and Son at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Last but not least, Brother Bradley Mierke was given the

award for the Structural Concrete Division for his work for Murnane Construction at the Syracuse

University’s Dineen Hall School of Law. Congratulations to our members that have been recognized

for their remarkable skills and hard work.

On Friday November

13, 2015 the Syracuse

Builders Exchange

held their annual

Craftsmanship Awards

at the Century Club.

The purpose of the

awards is to recognize

e x c e p t i o n a l

craftsmanship by

employees of the

Syracuse Builders

Exchange members for

construction projects

completed in the

Central NY area.

Page 2 Carpenters Local 277

From the Local President

From the Regional Manager

Looking forward to leaving 2015 behind us. For many of our members it was a difficult year. Work

never picked up until summer then dropped off again. The work outlook for 2016 is very

promising. The Casino work should start and we have Project Labor Agreements with both Lago

and Tioga Downs. The City of Binghamton just voted to do a PLA on the new $250 million dollar

Sewage Treatment Plant. We see plenty of school work coming as well as work at all of our

Universities.

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Holiday Season and a very prosperous 2016.

Scott Colton

President Local #277

Carpenters, Unfortunately, 2015 wasn’t one of our busiest years as in the past. Make sure your name is on the out-of-work list and your skills are all up to date so when the work hits next year, you’re ready to go.

Remember, if you see a job going on nonunion, contact a council representative right away! By everyone working together, we can get more work for our Brothers and Sisters - the more eyes out there the better.

It’s important to take advantage of the training classes held in Horseheads, Syracuse, and Binghamton. There are many classes coming up next month and in the early part of 2016. The more training you have, the more promotable you become.

There will be 300 Hitters Leadership classes starting again in 2016 at the UBC Training Center in Las Vegas. Please contact a Council Representative if you have never attended and are interested.

Don’t forget about the hardship fund which is available through the Local Union as well as the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters. Information regarding both hardship funds is available on the Local’s website at www.carpenters277.com and the Council’s website at www.northeastcarpenters.org. Also, check out the EAP program through the Empire Funds – it’s free and confidential. I wish everyone a Happy and Safe Holiday Season.

Dave Haines Regional Manager

http://www.carpenters277.comhttp://www.northeastcarpenters.org

Page 3

From the Funds Office Important Reminders from the Funds’ Office………1-866-727-0281 or 607-739-1326

The Empire State Carpenters’ Welfare Fund would like to remind you about our annual Medicare

open enrollment sign up Nov 1st thru Dec 15th with the effective date of Jan 1st

Look for and carefully review the Medicare open enrollment package

Complete and return the election form (must be returned)

Choose your plan by completing the application (if you are changing/adding)

If you choose to term from our Medicare Advantage plan complete disenrollment form

Return all documents in the postage paid envelope provided

Members will be receiving new Medicare Excellus BCBS insurance cards for 2016

Authorization for the Transfer of Contributions (Reciprocal)

If you are a member who works outside of the jurisdiction covered by the Northeast Regional

Council, meaning you work outside of the State of New York or within the 5 Boroughs of New York

City

Notify and inquire with the Fund Office that you have a current reciprocal agreement on file

with each job

A completed “Authorization for the Transfer of Contributions” form will prevent delays in

receiving your contributions from outside of your Home Fund

Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA)-No Faxed Draws Accepted

The holidays are approaching and it can be a hectic time with the processing of the HRA claims.

We strive to get all of the reimbursements completed and checks mailed out prior to Christmas.

However, in order for our office try to make this happen we do have to apply a cutoff date for when

the draws can be received by, which will be Dec 10th. Any draws received after that date, we

cannot guarantee you would receive them prior to Christmas.

Beneficiary Form

Upon your death, the Funds’ office will make sure your Funds are dispersed to whomever you

designate as your beneficiary. If you have a qualifying event you may need to change your

designated beneficiary. (Example: Marriage, Divorce) Please give our office a call;

To be sure you have a completed form on file

Whom did you designate as your beneficiary

Request a new form to change your beneficiary

Change of Address Form

Be sure to have a completed change of address form on file with the Funds’ office as they would

still have to be notified even though you have notified your local.

Family Employee Assistance (EAP) Services 1-800-EAP-CALL

EAP is available to you and your eligible family members. Your free and confidential 24/7 AP

work/life benefit includes: www.mybalanceworks.com

Immediate connection to a Licensed Mental Health Professional

Financial and legal consultations

Child/Eldercare resources/student resources

Online to work/life tools, articles, videos, and interactive courses via your own personal

web-portal

http://www.mybalanceworks.com

Page 4 Carpenters Local 277

Upcoming Training Binghamton Union Hall

Class Date Days Time Location

OSHA 30 1/18 & 1/19, 1/21 & 1/22, 1/25 & 1/26

M & TU TH & F

4:30 PM - 9:30 PM Binghamton Union Hall

23 Market St. Binghamton, NY

13905

(866) 729-0224 To sign up !

Blueprint Reading 2/11 & 2/12, 2/15 & 2/16 TH & F M & TU

4:30 PM - 8:30 PM

OSHA 10 3/7 & 3/8 M & TU 4:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Horseheads Office

Class Date Days Time Location

Horseheads Office 181 Industrial Pk Rd

Horseheads, NY 14845

Scaffold Refresher 2/11 & 2/12 TH & F 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM

OSHA 30 2/8, 2/9, 2/11, 2/12, 2/15 & 2/16

M & TU TH & F

4:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Solid Surface 2/20 & 2/27 SAT 7 AM - 3:30 PM

Doors & Hardware 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26 SAT 7 AM - 3:30 PM

Scaffold 40 3/10, 3/11, 3/14, 3/15, 3/17, 3/18, 3/21, 3/22, 3/24 & 3/25

TH & F M & TU

4:30 PM - 9:30 PM

OSHA 10 3/28 & 3/29 M & TU 4:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Industrial Lift 4/2 SAT 7 AM - 3:30 PM

Rough Terrain 4/9 SAT 7 AM - 3:30 PM

Aerial Lift 4/16 SAT 7 AM - 3:30 PM

Welding Tuesdays & Thursdays 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Syracuse Office

Class Date Days Time Location

Scaffold Refresher 12/1 & 12/2 TU & W 4 PM - 8:30 PM

Syracuse Office 3247 Vickery Rd.

Syracuse, NY 13212

(315) 455-5797

To sign up !

OSHA 30 12/7 - 12/10, 12/14 & 12/15

M - TH M & TU

4:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Haz-Waste Refresher 12/19 SAT 8 AM - 4:30 PM

Haz-Waste Refresher 1/23 SAT 8 AM - 4:30 PM

Scaffold 40 Hr.** 2/1 - 2/3

2/4 & 2/5**

M - W

TH & F

8 AM - 4:30 PM

7 AM - 3:30 PM

** Practical to be held at the Rochester Training Center on Thurs. & Fri.

Page 5

Membership Union Participation On Saturday, October 31st

Carpenters Local #277 held a

banner action at Colgate University

in Hamilton, NY. We dared

members to come out in costume

and protest on Parents Weekend in

hopes of making students and

parents alike aware of the unfair

labor practices that are often

committed by a contractor currently

performing work on campus. This

fall Local #277 has been protesting

the subcontractor, General Interior

Systems, performing the interior

work on the new hockey rink and

athletic complex. It’s a shame that

an institution of higher education

would not be more diligent in maintaining reputable contractors on a project where quality

workmanship and skills are needed to construct a safe state-of-the-art facility. In the recent past,

GIS has been found guilty of worker misclassification that resulted in a $380 thousand dollar

settlement as determined by the Federal Department of Labor. GIS listed multiple employees as

independent contractors to avoid paying overtime and other benefits. This type of business practice

violates the Fair Labor Standards Act, not to mention degrading the wage standards for all skilled

carpenters and trades across the state, but also puts those contractors that do follow the law at a

major disadvantage. Standing up for these workers and showing our support is a major part of

being a union member. We should be looking out for each other as well as other carpenters

employed in our same industry. Bringing knowledge and awareness to our elected leaders and the

general public is imperative to the future of our organization. Our Public demonstrations and

activities are meant to bring out positive aspects of being union, showing that we are both

pro-business and pro-worker. As the year comes to a close we will have these types of activities

available for members to complete their union participation requirement. By coming out and

completing your activities you’re doing yourself, your union and your fellow carpenter a great

service.

George H. Laufenberg Scholarship

Created in 1996 in memory of the late president of the New Jersey State

Council of Carpenters, the George H. Laufenberg Scholarship Fund has

awarded over 365 scholarships totaling nearly $2.5 million to the children

and grandchildren of union carpenters.

All applications and supporting documentation must be submitted by April 1,

2016. To receive a copy of the application, you may pick one up at any office,

contact the Union Hall or you may print a copy from the NJ Carpenters

Funds Website at http://www.njcf.org/ghl_application.html

CONGRATULATIONS! To the members who have reached Honorary status in 2015

Elam Carrigan, James Chavoustie, Gerald Cutmore, Donald Davies, Larry Garrett,

Gilbert Gerber, Douglas Haman Sr., Richard Harshberger, George Herthum,

Richard Kabat, Stanley Lindow, Thomas O’Brien, Richard Ormsby, Orris Oswald,

and William Sincavage

Page 6 Carpenters Local 277

Jason Adams, Lucas Alapeck, Douglas Albro, Austin Allen, Mark Allen, Andrew Atkinson,

Dillon Bailey, Bryce Ballway, Taylor Barnes, Ralph Bartlett, Dustin Beamer, Patrick Blessing,

Shane Boshart, Nicole Bragan, Christopher Chanthavong, Daniel Cooper, Jeffrey Crim, Jeffrey

Crutchley, Robert Davis, Devon Dean, Tyler Dean, Eric Dodge, Alex Duquette, Anthony Falcione

III, Tim Fellows, Christopher Flint, Michael Forbes, Austin France, Michael Graham, Bryan Green,

Bradley Griffith, Kristopher Griffith, John Harper Jr, Jonathan Hill, Cody Hohm, Thomas Homer

Jr, Benjamin Ingraham, Timothy Jacobs, Carl Johnston, Mejaz Karabegovic, Daniel Kraeger, Steve

Kukulski, Erik Leclaire, Sean Lee, Ever Mairena, Lazaro Mairena Castrillo, Shelby Markes, Richard

Martin, Garrett Mayo, Jonathan McCall, Harley Meagley, Eric Miller, Chad Moses, Brock Mungo,

John Negros, Jason Nosewicz, Veniamin Ososkalo, Matthew Parkin, Edward Pfendler Jr, Bobby

Phanthavong, Logan Pondolfino, Monroe Powless, Michael Pratt, Robert Relf, Amber Ricker,

Michael Rockhill, Antonio Rodriguez, Luis Rodriguez, Laurence Roth, DeWard Rufus, Michael Sac-

co Jr, Roberto Sanchez, Chad Sanders, David Scott, Donald Siedsma Jr, Jasmin Skiljan, Alexender

Smith, Jason Smith, Thomas Soares, Denver Splawn, Joshua Sproule, Oscar Stoothoff, David

Talerico, Violet Thompson, Timothy VanBenSchoten, Ketphet Vimalavong, Joshua Voorhees,

Matthew Waldron, Travis Wardwell, Quinton Washington, Allen Whaley, David Wood and Corey

Yalch

Welcome Our New Members

4th

Annual Ice Fishing Derby

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Carpenters Local #277 is planning to hold the 4th

Annual Ice Fishing Derby on the Eastern Shore of

Oneida Lake. We will be fishing for the largest

walleye. As in years past dinner will be at

Johnny’s Pier 31. Prizes will be awarded to any

child that participates. To register, please

contact one of the union offices.

LOCAL NEWS

Members: $10 Guests: $15 Children: (under 12) Free

Registration Cost

Register by Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Page 7

In Memory of our Departed Brothers & Sisters The Executive Board, Staff & Members of Local 277 express our condolences to the families and

friends of all of our departed Brothers and Sisters:

BINGHAMTON/HORSEHEADS You are invited to attend our monthly retiree coffee klatch that is held on the second Wednesday of each month from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Enjoy donuts and coffee with friends. Hope to you see you there!

SYRACUSE The Retirees Committee will meet at the Union Hall in Syracuse on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 10:00 AM. Come and enjoy the conversation and information exchanged by fellow members. Spouses are always welcome! Please call Brother Jim Brady (315) 303-4714 the day

before for any cancellations or to confirm.

Retiree’s Coffee Breaks

Congratulations to our New Retirees Scott Christian, Layne Clark, Jack Clemens Jr., James Curtis, John Degraw, Bruce Deritis, Jerry

Dunning, Bryan Eastman, Clark Gee, Dennis Goggin, Gary Gordon, George Hadac, Steven Higgins,

Michael Hugg, Thomas Hynes, Gary Jareo, Timothy LaRoy, Edward Lacelle, Michael Machuga,

Andrew Miller, John Parrish, Bruce Polisse, David Rea, Fred Schenk Jr., Jeffrey Sweazey, Kathryn

Thomas, Sheldon Treinin, Gino Vitale, David Wilcox, Timothy Woods, Michael Wothe, and Terry

Zevan

Member Passed Away Original Local Initiation Years of Service

Larry Blair June 2015 281 12/14/00 14 Yrs. 7 Mo.

Wilfred Clark October 2015 12 10/21/55 60 Yrs.

Anthony Giruzzi Jr. September 2015 125 7/18/56 59 Yrs. 2 Mo.

Steve Hubble October 2015 281 10/13/53 62 Yrs.

Thomas Marsella September 2015 835 4/9/51 64 Yrs. 5 Mo.

Arthur Monty October 2015 12 2/13/48 67 Yrs. 8 Mo.

Joseph Murabito Jr August 2015 747 11/4/46 68 Yrs. 9 Mo.

Robert Thomas October 2015 2907 7/2/73 42 Yrs. 3 mo.

23 Market St.

Binghamton, NY 13905

Carpenters Local #277

Phone: (607) 729-0224

Fax: (607) 729-2087

3247 Vickery Rd.

Syracuse, NY 13212

Phone: (315) 455-5797

Fax: (315) 455-8326

Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New Year to all!

From the Officers, Council Representatives, and Staff of Local #277