President-Business Manager James M. Sweeney Responds to William E. Dugan's Plea
March 8- Today, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 President-Business Manager James M. Sweeney released the following statement in response to former President-Business Manager William E. Dugan’s plea:
“Bill Dugan is my good friend. Bill Dugan was truly a great labor leader. For 45 years, he advanced the interests of working, middle-class union families by fighting for jobs, decent wages, quality healthcare, and pensions that our members rely on upon retirement.
Today’s events change none of that. Bill and his family are in our thoughts as he confronts this charge against him.
When allegations of misconduct by Local 150 officials were raised more than three years ago, the Union conducted a thorough internal investigation, and all necessary restitution was made by all parties involved. As legal proceedings continue, if it is determined that any further restitution is due to the Union, we will make certain that it is collected on behalf of our membership.
After dealing with these allegations internally, Local 150’s Officers and Executive Board instituted measures to ensure that activities such as those alleged do not occur again.
As a Union, we have dealt with this matter for several years and have worked hard to try to put it behind us. We are focusing our attention and energy on keeping members working during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.”
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.