Happy Holidays Local 2032

Posted: 
Friday, December 23, 2022
Message from Business Manager William Brown
 
On behalf of the Officers, Executive Board, and staff of Local 2032, I would like to wish you a very Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year to you and yours. Cheers to health, happiness, and prosperity in 2023. The holidays are all about spending time with our loved ones near and far. We can reflect on all the fond memories we made throughout the year and delight in the new resolutions for the future.
 
The January 2023 Union Meetings are on the following dates:
 
  • January 9, 2023, at STL
  • January 10, 2023, at BG
  • January 11, 2023, at CEC
 
We hope you plan to attend!
 
-- Press Release --
 
New York Power Authority Announces New Five-Year Contract Agreement with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
 
WHITE PLAINS—The Trustees of the New York Power Authority (NYPA) on Dec. 13 approved a new five-year contract agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), a labor union representing more than 570 electricians, line persons, and other skilled craft employees at NYPA, the nation’s largest state public power entity providing nearly a quarter of New York’s electricity. Union representatives and NYPA leadership gathered Dec.14 for a ceremonial signing of the contract at NYPA’s Niagara Power Project in Lewiston, N.Y.
 
“We are very pleased to have arrived at this contract with the IBEW and to ensure the continuation of good wages and medical benefits for a vitally important arm of NYPA’s workforce,” said NYPA Interim President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. “New York State relies on NYPA’s talented craft labor force more than ever to help advance its ambitious clean energy goals and to ensure the continued efficient, secure and reliable operation of New York’s energy system.”
 
The IBEW collective bargaining agreement includes wage increases that are retroactive and amount to a 17% increase over the term of the agreement which expires in 2027. Other negotiated terms include changes to time off provisions, retiree health care and the prescription drug plan for members who retire under this contract.
 
“The membership of IBEW 2104 continues to partner with the New York Power Authority in providing clean hydropower that helps fuel the economic development of this state. Having reached this new agreement, led by our new interim president and CEO Justin Driscoll, we look forward to doing our part to support Governor Hochul’s zero-emission goals,” said Lou Fazzolari, business manager, IBEW LOCAL 2104.
 
“Members of the IBEW are highly trained, dedicated professionals who have made tremendous contributions to support the production of clean, low-cost power throughout New York State. I am proud of our members and the many accomplishments and sacrifices they have made during unprecedented times. This new agreement will protect benefits and provide stability for the next five years as we work to support New York’s ambitious energy goals,” said William Brown, Jr. business manager, IBEW Local 2032.
 
The contract extension covers NYPA employees who work at NYPA’s Niagara Power Project in Lewiston, its St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project in Massena, its Clark Energy Center in Marcy, and its Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project in Schoharie County, and its small hydropower facilities in Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, Oneida and Herkimer counties.
 
Photo Caption: December 14, 2022-- Lewiston, NY--- New York Power Authority Interim President & CEO Justin E. Driscoll (center) joins with Lou Fazzolari, Business Manager of IBEW Local 2104 (right) and William Brown, Jr. Business Manager of IBEW Local 2032, at a ceremonial signing of the new NYPA/IBEW five-year labor agreement. (Photo Credit: New York Power Authority)
 
About NYPA 
NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov.
 
New York State's Nation-Leading Climate Plan 
New York State's nation-leading climate agenda is the most aggressive climate and clean energy initiative in the nation, calling for an orderly and just transition to clean energy that creates jobs and continues fostering a green economy as New York State recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Enshrined into law through the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York is on a path to achieve its mandated goal of a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and to reach economy-wide carbon neutrality. It builds on New York's unprecedented investments to ramp up clean energy including over $35 billion in 120 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the state, $6.8 billion to reduce buildings emissions, $1.8 billion to scale up solar, more than $1 billion for clean transportation initiatives, and over $1.6 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. Combined, these investments are supporting more than 165,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector in 2021, a 2,100 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011, and a commitment to develop 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035. Under the Climate Act, New York will build on this progress and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050, while ensuring that at least 35 percent with a goal of 40 percent of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities and advance progress towards the state's 2025 energy efficiency target of reducing on-site energy consumption by 185 trillion BTUs of end-use energy savings.
 
-- end press release --
 
We welcome new employee Jonathan Ment as a Tour Guide at BG. If you see him around the Visitor’s Center, please stop to say hello and introduce yourself.
 
We are having the CEC Holiday Party on 1-6-23 at Tavolos. Please contact Mike Scranton or the union office if you plan to attend. Cost per member will be $10.00 per member and an additional $5.00 for your guest. It will start at 5:00 pm, with a buffet to include chicken, pasta, greens, potatoes, a salad and bread.
 
The second run off election for Vice-Chairman at CEC was held on 11-9-22. Incumbent Dominick Colucci was the winner of this position. The Executive Board appointed Leonard Cater as the Vice-Chairman at BG during the November 17th, 2022, meeting. Congratulations to both members who have assumed their roles.
 
The STL Children’s Christmas party was held at the Nicandri Nature Center on December 10th this year. We had 17 children, and their families attend. Each child received a present and an ornament from Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoyed pizza and s’mores by the outside fire. The children were able to create a few different ornaments, as well as pin the nose on the snowman. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped at the event, it could not be a success without you. If you would like an ornament for your child or grandchild and did not contact the office yet, it is not too late. We still have some left over.