New England Cable News last week reported on the work being done to rebuild Jackson Square in Boston. The piece includes an interview with the developer and also Charles Cofield. Cofield grew up in the area and is now working there as the carpenter steward and a member of Local 67.
The following video story about Local 33 Sister Theresa Haymon was recently posted in the Meet Our Community section of nercc.org. Take a look to see more stories on the "Meet Our Community" page.
Applications are now being accepted for the 2012 New England Regional Council Scholarship Program. Last year 143 students applied and a total of $55,000 was awarded, including top scholarships of $5,000 and $3,000.
To be considered for an award, a completed application package must be received by 5:00 pm on April 13, 2012.
For details about the application process, click here.
The New England Regional Council of Carpenters has developed state-specific Resource Lists of agencies and programs that can help members who are experiencing long-term unemployment and may require emergency assistance.
The lists include services such as food, housing, employment, health care, counseling, fuel assistance and more.
In addition, the United Way has set up a phone service in all states that helps connect people in need with appropriate services. 2-1-1 provides free and confidential information and referral. Please visit 211.org for more information.
The New England Carpenters Union’s cyber home is undergoing major renovations and is looking for your input!
If you haven’t visited the site in awhile, check out the existing site by clicking here.
Have any suggestions for features you’d like to see incorporated into the new site? How about updates to the way existing information is presented? Is there a feature that you use regularly on the exisiting site that you want to be sure is included in the design of the new site?
Let us know! Send an email with the subject line “NECarpenters.org Redesign” to nerccweb@gmail.com.
Due to a deep and long recession, many members may be dealing with prolonged unemployment that has caused them financial hardship.
Massachusetts residents interested in learning more about fuel and energy assistance available should check out the online brochure "Keeping the Heat and Lights On" from Mass.gov.
In addition to the link above, 211.org is also a good resource developed by the United Way for people to find help. It is a resource for help with food, housing, employment, health care, counseling and more.
The Scholarship Sub-Committee of the New England Regional Council of Carpenters has established the guidelines for the eligibility, application, and awarding of scholarships for 2011.
The official guidelines and application can be found here.
Applicants should submit the completed essay, application form and most recent transcript of grades by 5:00 p.m. on April 15, 2011 to NERCC Scholarship, ATTN: Malerie Anderson, 750 Dorchester Ave., Boston, MA 02125.
Applications received after April 15, 2011 will be ineligible.
To eliminate bias, the scholarship committee is blind to the identity of the applicant. Essays are numerically coded to prevent any reader from having knowledge of the writer. Winners of the top two prizes will be asked to read their essays at the June 2011 delegate meeting. Persons awarded first or second place in a prior year are ineligible for first or second place in subsequent years.
Worker Memorial Day Commemoration and Rally Wednesday, April 28, 2010 12:00 – 1:15 PM In front of the State House, Beacon Hill, Boston
A private breakfast will be held for families of fallen workers from 10:30AM – 12:00 PM, State House, Room 437
Join us to honor our brothers and sisters who were killed, injured or suffered from illness on the job last year
Demand strong workplace health and safety protections for all workers
Visit a legislator to voice your support for State Safety and Health legislation
The 2010 Workers’ Memorial Day Report will be released that day. Contact Katie Mae Simpson at (617)825-7233 x14 or katiemae.simpson@masscosh.org for more Workers’ Memorial Day information or other resources about health and safety in the workplace.
Sponsored by the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (MassCOSH), Massachusetts AFL-CIO, and Greater Boston Labor Council.
The Scholarship Sub-Committee of the New England Regional Council of Carpenters has established the guidelines for the eligibility, application, and awarding of scholarships for 2010.
Applicants should submit the completed essay, application form and most recent transcript of grades by 5:00 p.m. on April 16, 2010 to:
NERCC Scholarship, ATTN: Malerie Anderson
750 Dorchester Ave.
Boston, MA 02125.
Applications received after April 16, 2010 will not be eligible.
To eliminate bias, the scholarship committee is blind to the identity of the applicant. Essays are numerically coded to prevent any reader from having knowledge of the writer. Winners of the top two prizes will be asked to read their essays at the June 2010 delegate meeting. Persons awarded first or second place in a prior year are ineligible for first or second place in subsequent years.
Please read the following guidelines before submitting your application. After reading the guidelines, you can download the application by clicking on the link below.
The House of Representatives’ vote to pass a Senate version of health care reform will lead to a dramatic change for many Americans, even some union members covered by one of the funds in New England.
The following information is provided by The Segal Company, a consulting company that works with benefit funds throughout the country, including carpenter union funds in New England. For even more information, visit this page.
Significant portions of the bill will not take effect right away—and some may still be modified—but there are some important changes that will benefit members and go into effect within the next year, such as:
• No lifetime benefit limits and only limited annual benefit limits • Coverage for dependent children up to age 26, as long as they do not have access to other employer-sponsored health coverage (the reconciliation bill also assures that this coverage can be provided on a tax-free basis) • No preexisting conditions for children under age 19 • No rescission of health coverage, except in cases of fraud (primarily an individual insurance policy issue)
Other items that are immediately effective include a Medicare Part D provision that provides that beneficiaries who are in a Prescription Drug Plan and who reach the doughnut hole in 2010 would receive a one-time $250 rebate, as well as a reinsurance program for pre-Medicare retirees (discussed below)
Additional reforms would be effective for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014, including a ban on waiting periods over 90 days.
In 2011, Health Flexible Spending Arrangements, Health Reimbursement Arrangements, and Health Savings Accounts can only reimburse participants for over-the-counter drugs with a prescription written by their health care provider.
The Scholarship Sub-Committee of the New England Regional Council of Carpenters has established the guidelines for the eligibility, application, and awarding of scholarships for 2010.
Please read the following guidelines before submitting your application:
Applicants should submit the completed essay, application form and most recent transcript of grades by 5:00 p.m. on April 16, 2010 to NERCC Scholarship, ATTN: Malerie Anderson, 750 Dorchester Ave., Boston, MA 02125.
Applications received after April 16, 2010 will not be eligible.
To eliminate bias, the scholarship committee is blind to the identity of the applicant. Essays are numerically coded to prevent any reader from having knowledge of the writer. Winners of the top two prizes will be asked to read their essays at the June 2010 delegate meeting. Persons awarded first or second place in a prior year are ineligible for first or second place in subsequent years.
Members of Local 107 and several other NERCC affiliates demonstrated at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Worcester last Thursday to alert the public that two out of state contractors have been hired to do renovations at the hotel. Local politicians and other unions also joined union members to show their support.
First Finish from Maryland was hired as the General Contractor and a company out of Virginia (!) is being used to do the drywall work. This is despite the annual presence of the Carpenters Union at the hotel for the New England Carpenters Apprenticeship Contest and Banquet and the use of the hotel for events by other unions, the Democratic Party and numerous other local groups.
Reports have been coming in that several large groups have canceled their events at the hotel as a result of the Crowne Plaza’s refusal to use even a local nonunion contractor for the project. The Apprenticeship Contest banquet is being moved to another location.
Worcester City Councilor Kate Toomey was one of the speakers at the rally, blasting the Crowne Plaza's one way version of partnership.
"For the Crowne Plaza to be a viable local entity, they need the patronage of Worcester and Worcester County residents. For Worcester and Worcester County to be viable, we need companies like the Crowne Plaza to reciprocate by using local contractors.
"Although the project is underway, I hope that [the Crowne Plaza's parent company] Lodgian and Crowne Plaza will reconsider and give local business3es and tradesmen the opportunity to work on this project."
Applications are now being accepted for the 2012 New England Regional Council Scholarship Program. Last year 143 students applied and a total of $55,000 was awarded, including top scholarships of $5,000 and $3,000.
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