QUARTERLY REPORTS
Report of International Representative Gabriel Perea
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begin my report working from Roofers Local 162 in Las Vegas, NV. This year seems to be moving in a positive direction after all the turmoil of 2020. We are now starting to get back to normalcy. As the appointed deputy trustee of Local 162, my duties are to assist Vice President Doug Ziegler with the day-to-day operations of the local during the trusteeship. Vice President Ziegler is the trustee in charge of the local during this time. Over the past year and half the problems created by the Covid virus have made it next to impossible to carry on with a lot of our normal business. We have all become experts with Zoom meetings; however, it is
not the same as working face to face with our members, labor leaders and business managers. Over the past three months I have kept in touch with many of the western states’ local unions. For the most part we are continuing to work a fair amount of hours with very few layoffs. Most of the apprenticeship programs have gotten back to training in-class. The programs have made the necessary changes to provide the needed classes. I have spent some time assisting Danny Jimenez, who is the apprenticeship coordinator for the Southern Nevada training program. He is doing a good job and has made some needed changes to the program. I have also kept in touch with Business Manager Paul Colmenero
from Local 45 in San Diego, CA. Paul has been continuing to make improvements in Local 45. I checked in with Local 91, Salt Lake City, UT, Business Manager Robert Smith regarding local union issues. And I have also spoken with Rick Oswalt from Local 58 in Colorado Springs about contract issues. I have been in contact with Local 27, Fresno, CA, on a weekly basis checking in with Business Manager Thomas Geiger or the office staff. I continue to check in with signatory contractors in the areas of California and Nevada. In closing, I look forward to traveling and getting back to where I can spend some time working with the local unions as needed. ■
Report of International Representative Jeff Eppenstein
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begin my report at Local 142, Des Moines, IA, where Business Manager Mike Soroka and I prepared financial reports and worked with the local accountant to complete necessary audits. We also prepared contract opener letters and filed the F7 forms for upcoming negotiations. From there I attended the Indiana District Council at Local 119, Indianapolis, IN. The local unions affiliated with the council are doing a good job of organizing and training. My next visit was at Local 11’s office to continue the efforts of the Chicagoland Roofers and Waterproofers Charitable Foundation. This foundation has continually raised over $100,000 a year and has benefited BraveHearts, Salute
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• The Journeyman Roofer & Waterproofer
Inc., the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation, autism awareness, DAD’s Day, the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention and many more. I am very proud to be a board member of this foundation and I look forward to all the goodwill that will continue. My next order of business was the continuing assistance with Local 182, Cedar Rapids, IA, officers in contract negotiations. This local is in a right-to-work state and faces challenges with fair wages and benefits and free riders taking advantage of union benefits. I am very pleased to say President Brock Willson and the labor committee have stepped up and turned this local around in a very short time.
The labor-management negotiations welcomed two new signatory contractors. Together they collectively bargained in good faith, and as a result they have negotiated a three-year agreement, along with a commitment towards continued education, training and organizing non-union in the area. The contractors have also agreed to recognize the union’s 9a relationship, and both are on track to see hours and profitability grow. In Merrillville, IN, I attended a rally with over 450 building trades allies in front of the carpenters’ training center in protest of their leadership’s continued encroachment on traditional building trades crafts’ work. Thank you to all the national building trades affiliates who attended. Union Strong! ■
