The following table lists the meeting dates for 2008:

Notice of Union Dues Increase

    At the Twenty-Third Convention of the International Union held September 11, 2006, and actions taken by Laborers' District Council, the following changes were adopted and will become effective on Thursday, January 1, 2009.

Monthly Dues shall be $27.00 per month.

Retiree's Dues shall remain at $8.00 per month.

    The dues increase necessitates the signing of every working member to a current Authorization. The International allows sixty(60) days for payment of monthly dues and they will be strictly enforcing the suspension language found in the Constitution.

    Dues payments are to be paid by the first day of the month. Acceptable forms of payment are cash, check, or money order.  If dues were taken out of your paycheck, please send in your pay stub to receive credit.  If paying by mail, include your membership card and payment or pay stub. We will stamp and return same.

NOTE:  If you have not paid your dues for a period of two months, your Secretary-Treasurer will be forced to suspend you according to the Union's Constitution.  At that point, you will have to pay $50 for every month owed, in addition to the $26 for the month of reinstatement.  If you are out for a period of one year, you must pay the entire initiation fee of $600 to rejoin the local.

PLEASE DON'T LET YOUR DUES ELAPSE!

NEW HEALTHCARE PROVIDER ANNOUNCED

    As of January 1, 2008, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has taken over as our new health insurance provider. Information packets should have been sent to you already explaining any changes that have taken place. New insurance cards have been sent out as well. Please contact the Fund Office if you have any questions.

NOTE: Please be sure to fill out the Succeed Health Risk Assessment questionnaire mentioned in the information packets mailed to you. It is crucial that you do this to insure that you and your family get the best coverage possible. By taking the time to fill out and complete the information requested, you will be automatically enrolled in the Premier Plan, which lessens any out-of-pocket expenses greatly. You can fill this questionnaire out by clicking on the following link, then clicking on the "Members" tab and following the instructions provided to you in your packet.

HIGHMARK HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE

Out of Work List

    The call-in list is activated on the first Monday of the month, every third month.  Call-in hours are from 8:00am to 4:00pm.  To be put on the list, you must call the special phone number below.  You can not sign up in person.  If you can't get through, please keep trying.  If a holiday falls on this day, sign-up will be on the following day.

PHONE #: 412-373-6197 

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL LABOR DAY PARADE!

    Beautiful weather again made an appearance for this year's Labor Day Parade.  On Monday, Sept 1, members from all trades gathered to show support for the labor movement.  Pittsburgh once again made this parade arguably the largest in the country.  And of course, one of the largest groups there were the Laborers'.  Decked out in black shirts, we made an impressive showing, marching from Mellon Arena down to the Steel Workers building.  Thanks goes out to all of the members, their families and friends who participated in this event.

LABOR DAY 2007 AWARD GIVEN TO LABORERS!

    Last year's Labor Day Parade Committee Award was presented to the Laborers' District Council Of Western Pennsylvania once again for our large turn-out. Sharing in the award were sister local business managers (l to r): John Tretter - Local 603, Ray Moore - Local 373, Phil Ameris - Local 1058, Mike Laquatra - Council Staff and Parade Organizer, Paul Quarantillo - President-Business Manager of the Laborers' District Council, and Mike Mc Donald - Local 833.

SAFETY PAYS!

    P. J. Dick/Trumble gives out a quarterly safety award. Qualifications include: no reportable injuries and no safety infractions. The latest winner is Local 373 member Wibert "Big Tone" Phillips. Tony has been employed by P.J. Dick at 3 PNC Plaza for seven months. Tony was also presented with a $5,000 check by site safety manager Jennifer Grove. Keep up the good work, Tony!

DISTRICT COUNCIL AND COMBINED FUNDS HAVE MOVED!

    Effective May 2, 2007, the Laborers’ District Council of Western Pennsylvania and the Laborers' Combined Funds of Western Pennsylvania have moved their offices.  Formerly located at 1101 and 1109 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219, the new offices are now in the Forbes-Pride Building located at:

 1425 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219.

All telephone numbers, fax numbers, etc. have remained the same.

* Note that only District Council and Combined Funds have moved.  All mail, faxes, etc... that are pertaining to Local Union business should continue to be directed to those Local Union offices.

LOCAL 373 HELPS OUR MILITARY

    At the October '06 regular monthly meeting, the Local 373 membership donated money to the Marine Corps League to help the men and women serving our country in Iraq and Afghanistan. The collection was taken by former U.S. Marine and retired member Brother James Meldon. The membership should be very proud, as the collection netted nearly $700.

    At the November '06 meeting, Brother Meldon presented the membership with a plaque in appreciation.

SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY CONTEST TIME!

    The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO is once again sponsoring a scholarship essay contest.  Over the years, the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO has administered its annual essay contest to help entrants conduct research about the many contributions the union movement has made to American society. For the ninth time, scholarships will be offered in three categories: Graduating High School Seniors, All Post-Secondary Students, and Affiliated Union Members Attending an Accredited Institution.  Each category has a different essay topic designed to make applicants aware of the contributions that union's have made to society.  Awards range from $2000 for First Place, $1000 for Second Place, and $500 for Third Place.

    For more information about scholarships that are available, please visit the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO website for an application and contact information, or contact your local union for applications and information.  You may also contact Karen Stroop at District Council at 412-391-1712.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: JANUARY  31, 2009

    Please note: Scholarships are available exclusively to PA AFL-CIO Affiliated Union Members and their families.

WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY

   Friday, April 28th was Worker's Memorial Day. The bell was tolled for the 23 Allegheny County 2005-06 fatalities, one of whom was Local 373 member Allen Rhea, who was killed on Dec. 8th on his way home from work. President of Local 373 and the Pittsburgh Regional Building Trades Bill Brooks was a keynote speaker for this solemn event.

REBUILDING PITTSBURGH

    During the week of April 17th, officers and some members of Local 373, along with various sister locals, volunteered for "Rebuilding Pittsburgh". Once again, the Laborer's District Council sponsored a house in the city of Pittsburgh. All the work, from the demo and forming to the pouring and finishing of the concrete, was performed by laborers.

LABORERS BRING CHRISTMAS SPIRIT TO VETERANS

    On December 11, 2006, several members of affiliated locals of the Laborers District Council of Western Pennsylvania volunteered their time to visit the V. A. Hospital.  Volunteers spent time passing out t-shirts and spreading holiday cheer to our proud veterans.