Senate Passes Healthcare Bill, Obama Hopes to Sign Before End of January
The next step for the legislation is conference committee, where members of both chambers will gather to combine the House and Senate plans into one plan, which will be sent to President Obama for signature once approved.
The 40 percent excise tax in the Senate plan could cost MOE Health and Welfare Fund in excess of $60 million per year, so we have to let our legislators know how important it is that this tax not be included in the final legislation.
Within the next couple of weeks, Local 150 members will receive postcards to mail in to Senators and Representatives, much like the postcards that went out prior to Thanksgiving. The cards will again be pre-stamped, so there is no reason not to send yours in!
At the same time, Local 150's leadership will reach out to legislators in Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa to ensure that they know how badly we need their leadership on this matter.
The quality of our healthcare is at stake, so we need to work together to save it. We have come together on matters like this in the past, and it will take all of our efforts to protect what we have worked for once again!
Important Notice Regarding Election of Election Commissioners at February District Meetings
ELECTION OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS TO BE HELD AT ALL FEBRUARY 2010 DISTRICT MEETINGS
Please be advised as follows, in accordance with Article XIV, Section 4, "Election Commissioners," of the Local Union By-Laws:
In the month of February 2010, each District, by ballot vote, shall elect by majority vote of the members in good standing as of December 31, 2009, residing in that District and voting at the particular District meeting, two (2) members in good standing as of December 31, 2009 from that District to act as Election Commissioners for the Triennial Election of Officers to be held in August 2010
NOTE: Please be advised that in order to vote in the Election Commissioners' Election in February, 2010, you must be a member in good standing as of December 31, 2009. This means that you must have paid your dues for the last quarter of 2009.
Local 150 Crane Operators Demonstrate Need for Jobs in U.S.
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Dillard, Quinn Put Support Behind Illiana Expressway
Illinois Senator Kirk Dillard announces his suppoort of the Illiana Expressway at a pressconference at Local 150's Training Site on November 12th
November 12- Today, the proposed Illiana Expressway project received indications of support from both Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Senator and republican gubernatorial candidate Kirk Dillard. Finding life recently after years of discussion, the Illiana Expressway is a 20- to 30-mile expressway that would link Interstate 65 in Indiana to Interstate 57 and possibly 55 in Illinois.
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Local 150 Endorses Quinn for Illinois Governor
October 19– Praising Governor Pat Quinn for his effective leadership in passing Illinois Jobs Now!, Illinois’ first comprehensive capital program in more than a decade, Local 150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers on Monday announced its endorsement of Governor Quinn.
“This year, Governor Quinn has shown that he understands how important it is for our citizens to be working,” James M. Sweeney, President-Business Manager of Local 150, said during an open-air news conference in downtown Chicago. “The economic decline over the past year has been devastating for the construction industry. When it was time to step up to the plate on the $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction bill, Governor Quinn’s leadership and willingness to work with legislative leaders created jobs and helped keep struggling families together. Workers need a leader who will stand up and fight for them, and Pat Quinn is that leader.”
“Right here in Chicago, we’re seeing Illinois’ investment in public works create jobs today and opportunities tomorrow,” Quinn said. “Across the street, workers are building a new children’s hospital – partly funded by an $8 million grant from the State of Illinois. I am honored by the support of the members of Local 150, whose skill and labor contribute so much to the fabric of our state.”
In his remarks to a group of Local 150 members, Governor Quinn thanked them for their effective, powerful support of his Illinois Jobs Now! program. Over the next six years, Illinois Jobs Now! is expected to create and retain more than 439,000 jobs, helping to revive Illinois’ economy.
Healthcare Reform Legislation Could Hurt Union Health and Welfare Funds
October 15- Local 150 has built its legacy upon providing quality benefits to its members and their families. While we support the noble effort to provide healthcare coverage to all working Americans, the legislation currently contains sections that would negatively impact multi-employer benefit funds like the Midwest Operating Engineers Health and Welfare Fund.
As it is currently written, this legislation would place a 40 percent tax on the benefits provided through MOE to fund the reform program. This would directly affect the level of benefits that MOE could provide to members and their families.
Use the link below to find your United States Senators and Congressman. Call them and tell them that you are against the taxation of benefits. Tell them that workers with insurance should not have to pay to provide those without. Tell them that your union provides good benefits, and that this legislation would hurt you and your family
Local 150 Awarded Green Roof Work in NLRB Decision
October 9- In the latest, and arguably most significant, of a series of recent positive jurisdictional dispute decisions, Local 150 was awarded green roof work over the Roofers Union, Local 11. The decision from the National Labor Relations Board concerned work being performed at the Roosevelt Collection, a multi-use facility in Chicago, and its implications could have an effect on future disputes. Read More
IDOT Releases Bridge Safety Information
The Illinois Department of Transportation has created a new website where citizens can view the safety and condition reports on bridges across the state of Illinois. Some of the reports are shocking. For example, the Congress Avenue/I-290 bridge across the Chicago River going downtown received "the lowest possible rating for a span to stay open," according the Chicago Tribune.
"Jumpstart" Bill Putting
Members to Work
July 31, 2009 - The Jumpstart bill, passed in early April, continues to create jobs for Local 150 members. The bill included approximately $3 billion in work to be let over the summer months of 2009, with $2 billion allocated for roads and bridges. You can review the Illinois Department of Transportation's letting lists by clicking the links below.
About Local 150
Local 150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, AFL-CIO, is a labor organization representing employees principally in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa. At 23,000 strong, Local 150 is one of the largest local unions in the Country. Originally chartered as a construction union, Local 150 now represents working people in a variety of industries including construction, construction materials production, steel mill services/slag processing, landscaping, and many, many others.