Summary of December Union meeting

Topics discussed:
Different types of schools being held for free of charge by Local 57.
Mandatory drug testing for certain drivers.
One man per truck for snow plowing.
Floater at Police dept being transferred to 12-8 shift.
Treasurer DelFino will meet with Chief regarding the floater position.


$25.00 gift cards were passed out to Union members in attendance, one person from each Town building were given enough certificates to pass out to each Union member as a Christmas present.
Certificates were from the following restaurants;
Atwood Grille , Il Piccolo , Issabellas
ENJOY everyone and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Treasurer DelFino did meet with Chief of Police and the floater was transferred to a rotating schedule. He will be working 2 midnight to eight shifts and two eight to four shifts in Records.

New feature added to the blog..

I just added "playlist.com" to our blog. Now when you are on the blog you will be greeted with music by favorite artists.

ENJOY
Peter A DelFino
Treasurer & Police Steward

Summary of the November Union meeting

Topics discussed:
Job openings.
Union dues.
The purchase of the Christmas $25.00 certificates for Union members.
Leave to Protect status.
Update on any new changes with the State Retirement board.
The winner of the $20.00 certificate to J & D's restaurant was Michelle Bizzacco.

November Union meeting

The November Union meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 18th. The meeting will be held at the Johnston Middle school. The time of the meeting will be 5:00 P M . This is a general meeting. We will be giving away a $20.00 gift card to J & D Restaurant. You must be present to win.

Summary of October's meeting

I was not present at the October meeting due to a Death in the family.

The main topic discussed at this meeting was a change in our Bi Laws. After properly being posted and after a discussion the only change made was the following;
The term of office for the positions of President, Vice President , Secretary and Treasurer has been changed to a period of three (3 ) years in office.
No raffle was held at this meeting.

It is a Baby Girl!!!!!!!!

Union member Justine Dutilly and her Husband Robert are the proud parents of a baby girl. Alessia Dutilly was born on September 17th 2008 at Kent County hospital. Both Mother and Daughter are doing fine..
Congrats and good luck guys........

Summary of September's Union meeting

This was the first Union meeting since May. We always take the summer off and hope all Union Members had a great summer.
The meeting was held on Tuesday September 16th.
We did hold nominations for officers.
ALL OFFICERS WERE UNOPPOSED, THERE FORE THEY WERE REELECTED!!
President Louis Prata
Vice President Sal Tanzi
Secretary Michelle Bizzacco
Treasurer Peter A. DelFino
Executive Board Charlotte Lanni , Arlene Morris
We welcome a New Executive board member; Ashley Marocco.
Previous board member Justine Dutilly was elected as an Alternate.
This was due to the fact that Justine is expecting her first Child.
Topics Discussed:
Minutes of meetings.
Changing of our Local's Bi Laws.
Courtemanche Arbitration.
W. Courtemanche did win his arbitration and will be the Foreman of Building Maintenance. Will also did win back pay for over two years at Foreman's salary.
Opening in Building Maintenance for the position of a Laborer.
Union members attending meetings.
The winner of the J & D Restaurant certificate was Lucia Tracy..

2 & 2 Dispatcher & Floater bids posted

Two job bids were posted on 8/8/2008. The positions are 2 & 2 Dispatcher at the Police Department. The Dispatcher works two shifts 8-4 and two shifts 4-12. The second position is a Floater. As of this time there is not an opening for a Floater, but the Town is assuming that a Floater will take the Dispatch position.
Both job bids come down on 8/15/2008.

Erica Cipriano was awarded the position of the 2 & 2 Police Dispatcher.

Joe DiDonato has been hired to fill Erica's old position, Police Floater.

CONGRATS TO ERICA AND JOE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Death of Sephen Gaskn Jr.

Stephen John Gaskin Sr of Johnston died on July 28th 2008. Stephen was the Son of Charles E. and Dorothy C. (Youde) Gaskin. Stephen was the Son in law of John & Maria Bordieri. Besides his wife and children he is also survived by 6 Brothers and family. Charles and Marie Gaskin, Ronald and Helene Gaskin, Timothy and Dawn Gaskin, Richard Gaskin and fellow Union member Jeffrey Gaskin. His 5 Sisters arePatricia Gaskin, Holly Moniz, Dorothy and Everett Melo, Heidi and Joe Cote, Susan and Gregg Caldarone.Stephen was also an Uncle of 15 Nieces and Nephews and family.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Home & Hospice Care of RI, 169 George St Pawtucket RI.

Our Local has made a donation in Stephen's name to this organization in the amount of $50.00

Death of Timothy "Timmy" Petrone

Timothy John Petrone,57 formerly of Johnston Rhode Island, did pass away on May 23th,2008. Born in Providence Rhode Island, Tim was the beloved Son of Helen Petrone. Mrs. Petrone was a former Special Officer of the Johnston Police Department. Helen was also the Police Chief Secretary to Former Chief of Police William P. Tocco Jr. Tim was also the beloved Brother of our Current Union member Michaela Ballirano. Michaela is currently the Clerk in the Prosecution Division, of the Johnston Police Department. Michaela ,like her Mom, is also a Special Officer with the Johnston Police Department.

Besides his Mother, Helen and his Sister Michaela Tim was dearly loved by nine siblings; two Brothers Lt Col Benjamin Petrone Jr (Retired), David Petrone of Cranston. Tim's Sisters are;
Kathryn O'Hare , Felicia Petrone, Julie Pettis, Elizabeth Charlebois, Mary Jane Morris, Christine Speciale. He also leaves five Brother in Laws and two Sister in Laws, twenty Nieces and Nephews.

On a Personal note: I have known the Petrone family since I attended St Roccos' School and Mrs. Petrone was my Crossing Guard. My prayers go out to Tim's family and friends. Tim was a Polio Survivor for 55 years, I know Tim is on the Side of his Father in Heaven and No longer in pain.
Peter A DelFino

Blood drive held by the Johnston FOP Lodge #16

The Johnston Fraternal of of Police (FOP) lodge # 16 will hold a Blood Drive. The info on the Blood Drive is as follows:
Date: Saturday June 7th 2008
Time: 9 AM till 1 PM
Location: 8 Forand Circle
Johnston Rhode Island
Johnston Housing Authority
"Community room"
Coffee and pastry will be served!!
To make an appointment with the Rhode Island Blood Center you can either call them at 1-800-283-8385 or go the the website www.ribc.org
When making an appointment please use sponsor code # 2285.
Every drop of blood helps!!!!!!!!!!!!

Summary of the May's Union meeting

The May Union meeting was held on Tuesday, May 13th. There were only three (3) Union members in attendance.
Topics discussed;
Courtemanche arbitration.
Union member Erin Medeiros had a baby girl.
Congrats and good luck Erin.
Changing the time of the meeting to get more Union members to attend.
The winner of the J & D gift certificate was Peter A DelFino.

We will not be having another meeting until September 2008.
If any changes come up having the do with the contract we will hold a Summer meeting.
See you in September, I HOPE!!!!!

Summary of April's Union meeting

Some of the topics discussed at the April Union meeting were as follows:

Proposed changes in the age of retirement for Municipal Employees.
!!! This new law, if passed, would only affect employees who are not vested as of July 1, 2008.
The changes would be
1 Must be age 59 with 29 years of service.
2 Must be 65 with less than 29 years of service.
THERFORE, you could no longer retire at 58 with 10 years on the job, you must now work till the age of 65.

Job openings in the Town.

The hiring of Part time employees.

The 32 Annual AFSCME convention.

The raising of our Union dues to meet the minimum set forth by AFSCME.
Dues will be going up as of July 1, 2008.

The filing of IRS forms for Unions who have less than $25,000.00 in the bank.

Our Union's EIN ( Employee identification number).

The winner of the gift card to J & D's was Arlene Morris.

Proposed changes that WILL affect Union members

There are several proposed laws that are in session at the State house at this time here is a break down of them:

FY08 Budget Article #5
To remove Health care from the Municipal scope of bargaining. Removes Health care as a collective bargaining subject for Municipal Employees, Teacher, Firefighters and Police Officers. Contracts that laps after June 30, 2008 would receive benefits under the State procured care contract.

H-7799 & S-2664
Governor's Municipal & Fiscal Accountability Act-Briefly this increases the retirement age of members WHO ARE NOT VESTED as of July 1 2008 to age 59 with 29 years of service, or age 65 with less than 29 years of service.........

H-7108,H-7726 & S-2429
Prohibit the naming of a Specific Health Insurer in the contract.


I URGE YOU TO CONTACT YOUR REP OR SENATOR TO TELL THEM YOU ARE AGAINST THE ABOVE LAWS....

32nd Annual AFSCME-AFLCIO Convention

It was a pleasure to be the Delegate,once again, for Local 1491 to the AFSCME-AFLCIO Convention. The Convention was held at the Providence Biltmore. Some of the Political speakers included; Senator Jack Reed, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse , Representative Langervine, Secretary of State Mollis and Attorney General Patrick Lynch. There were numerous speakers from our Union.
Some of the topics discussd were;
State retirement systerm.
The Governor's proposed cuts against Unions in this State.
The backing of Hilary Clinton by our Union for President.
SEE my next blog entry for the Governor's proposed changes that will affect Union members!!!!!!!
After the Convention the Biltmore put on a wonderful dinner which was held on the 17th floor banquet room.

Summary of March's Union meeting

Some of the topics discussed at the March meeting were as follows:

Two job openings in the Water Department.
Library contract has been extended till 2010.
Retirement changes proposed by the Governor.
Folcarelli scholarship discussed.
Arbitration Decision on Charles Lamoureux.
Arbitration for W. Courtemanche is scheduled for August 2008.
The reason we held this meeting at the Police Dept. was that Union members working on the 4-12 shift could attend the meeting.
NO MEMBERS BOTHERED TO SHOW UP!!!!!

The winner of the J & D restaurant certificate was Ashley Marocco.

March Union meeting

The March Union meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 18th. The meeting will be held at the Johnston Police Department. The meeting will be in the Roll call room. Anyone who will be attending the meeting must first check in with the Receptionist. The time of the meeting will be 7:00 P M . This is a general meeting.
We will be giving away a $20.00 gift card to J & D Restaurant. You must be present to will.

Summary of February Executive board meeting

An Executive board meeting was held on 2/26/2008. The meeting was held at Ribs & Co. In attendance were President Prata, Vice President Tanzi,Secretary Michelle Bizzacco, Treasurer Peter A. DelFino, Executive board members Justine Dutilly and Arlene Morris.
This meeting was held so that the November 2007, December 2007 & January 2008 Treasurers reports could be passed. This was due to Treasurer DelFino having to meet a deadline of March 1st to file the Surety report and the Annual Financial report.
Other issues discussed;
Pending arbitration(s).
Status of several Union members who have applied for Disability.
A proposed law having to do with Health care State wide.
Proposed changes in the State Retirement system

Summary of February's Union meeting

Some of the topics discussed at the February Union meeting were the following:

Possible proposal for 2010 contract for a better Maternity leave.
New Employee (Perez) in the position of Master Mechanic.
New benefit, Since Johnston Fire had a time limit changed in their contract it now applees to our contract also. The new language is a son or daughter is now covered till the age of 26 under Delta Dental.
Discussion on the new Law being proposed by the Governor. This Law is regarding all Unions going out for bid for Healthcare.
Discussion on location of March meeting, possiblty to be held at Johnston Police, pending approval of the Chief of Police. This way employess who are working the 3rd watch may attend the meeting.
Discussion on the upcomming convention at the Biltmore Hotel (possible Delegate).
Lou Prata was the winner of the $20.00 certificate to J & D 's Family restaurant.

February Union meeting

The February Union meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 19 th. The time of the meeting will be 7:00 P.M. . The locations of the meeting will be The Bridge at Chery Hill FKA Whytebrooke Terrace. Please use the Main entrance. The meeting will be held in the " Tea room".
We will be raffling off a gift certificate to J & D's Family restaurant.
You MUST be present to win.
Coffee and Pastry will be served..

Summary of January's Union meeting

Discussion on the proposed changes to the State Retirement board. President Prata, who is also a Board member advises of the following: Most of the changes affects State workers.

Discussion on several grievances at eh Johnston DPW.

Discussion on pending grievances..

Discussion on new and old On the Job Injuries..

Discussion on possible change in the time and place of the Union meeting. It seems we had more members attend when the meeting were at 5 PM. We will be contacting the Johnston Senior Center to see if we could use there facility.

The winner of the certificate to J & D's rest was Justine Dutilly!!

Next meeting is scheduled for Feb 19th, unless we change locations!!

January Union meeting

The January Union meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 15th,2008. The time will be 7:pm. The meeting will be held at the Bridge on Cherry Hill FKA Whytebrooke Terrace. Please use the front entrance. As always the meeting will be held in the Tea room.
This will be a general meeting.
Coffee and pastry will be served.
We will be raffling off a $20.00 restaurant certificate, to a local restaurant.
You MUST be present to win..

Happy New Year to our Union Brothers & Sisters

To all our Union Brothers & Sisters,,,,
Hoping you and your families had a Happy and Safe New Years..