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Save The Date – Wednesday, May 30, 2018 DuPage County Apprenticeship Expo
Several different trades will be on hand to educate students, parents and adults about a career in the union construction industry. In addition, instructors will have an interactive demonstration of each craft, and will provide information on the application process, wages and benefits. For more information, contact Karyn Charvat, Executive Director, PowerForward DuPage at 630-791-2660. An online registration link will be available in early April, and to visit the Save The Date website, just click here. Five Students Chosen for CISCO Scholarship Awards The winners of CISCO’s 2018 Scholarship Program were recently chosen by CISCO’s Board of Directors, and will be formally recognized and honored during CISCO’s Annual Luncheon on May 4, 2018.
Eligible students were the sons and daughters of either building trade union members or union contractor employees. A total of 5 winners were chosen – three for the 4-year scholarships and two for the 2-year awards. Four-year scholarship winners: 1) Alexia Kubas – Lincoln-Way East High School – Alexia’s father is employed by Larmco Masonry in Lynwood, Illinois, and is a member of BAC Local 21. 2) John “Jack” Bibbiano – Stagg High School – John’s father is a member of IBEW Local 134; and 3) Sophia Lopez – Whitney Young High School – Sophia’s father is a member of the Carpenters Local 13. Two-year scholarship winners: 1) Gabrielle McDermott – Tri-Point High School – Gabrielle’s father is a member of IUOE Local 150 Operating Engineers; and 2) Christian Sifuentes – Waubonsie Valley High School – Christian’s father is a member of the Sprinkler Fitters, Local 281. CISCO/Moraine Area Career System Conduct Successful Hands-On Fair CISCO teamed up with the Moraine Area Career System for a recent Hands-On Fair at the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters’ satellite Apprenticeship & Training Center in Chicago. Ten trades were present as approximately 125 students attended from 10 area high schools. Counselors, teacher and vocational coordinators from Andrew, Argo, Delta Learning Center, Eisenhower, Oak Lawn, Reavis, Richards, Sandburg, Shepard, and Stagg High Schools accompanied the students. In addition to the Moraine Community College Welding Program, the trades had representatives from the Bricklayers, Carpenters, Electricians Local 134, Laborers, Operating Engineers Local 150, Painters, Pipefitters Local 597, Plumbers Local 130 and the Ceramic Tile Setters. To view more pictures from the event, click here.
CISCO/Housing Authority of Cook County Hold First Ever Hands-On Fair CISCO and the Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC) worked together to organize its first joint Hands-On Fair in Chicago Heights at the Park District’s Rec Center. Around 80 HACC residents took advantage as 12 different building trades set up booth displays for people to learn about what it takes to apply to one of the union apprenticeship programs. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle was on hand to greet residents, as well as Ralph Affrunti, President of the Chicago & Cook County Building Trades Council.
Left photos: (From top to bottom) 1)Adam Sutter, Admissions Director for the Pipefitters Local 597 Apprenticeship Program talks to a HACC resident. 2) Operating Engineers Local 150 Recruiter Daphne Jackson helps a resident with a computer simulator, and 3) President Preckwinkle tries her hand at smoothing out cement at the Cement Masons Local 502 booth as members Mike Murtaugh (left) and Joe Malia look on. To view additional photos from the event, click here. UCA Legislative Reception Brings Lawmakers Together With Construction Industry Leaders The Underground Contractor’s Association (UCA) held its annual Legislative Reception at the Medinah Country Club as members and guests got a chance to talk to legislators from both sides of the aisle. Michael Wiedmaier, UCA Executive Director, greeted the audience and introduced a group of about 25 legislators, elected officials and labor leaders.
“Right To Work” (For Less) Is WRONG And It Hurts Working Families!
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Speaker Madigan Highlights CISCO Annual Luncheon – Friday, May 4, 2018
The Luncheon will feature recognition of our Labor Advocate, Public Body and Educator of the Year awards, as well as presentations to our 2018 Scholarship Award recipients. Illinois Speaker of the House Michael J. Madigan has been an ardent supporter of working class families – especially the men and women in the union construction industry. With his leadership, the state has passed Capital and infrastructure spending bills that have benefitted the industry and residents. He has also helped pass legislation that has protected and bolstered Prevailing Wage laws. Sponsorships are also available. To learn how to sponsor and register, click here to download the Luncheon Registration form. Chicago Building Congress Luncheon Highlights Obama Presidential Center The Chicago Building Congress’ recent March luncheon provided attendees with a glimpse of the Barack Obama Presidential Center that will be a new landmark on the City’s south side. As an economic engine, it is expected to draw an estimated 760,000 visitors annually, and create $3.1 billion in economic impact in its first 10 years of operation. In addition, it is expected to create about 5,000 construction jobs and approximately 2,500 permanent jobs once it opens its doors.
CISCO’s many outreach efforts have been successfully laying the foundation to increase awareness and enrollment of minorities into careers in the union construction industry. The Obama Foundation and CISCO share a common goal – to be a catalyst for generational change. O’Hare Airport Expansion Called “Game Changer” Calling it a “watershed moment” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the City Council have given final approval to an $8.5 billion expansion and rebuild of O’Hare International Airport’s outmoded passenger terminals, a move that is expected to create tens of thousands of construction jobs. “Everyone knows this is a game-changer for the city of Chicago,” added West Side Ald. Walter Burnett.
City aviation officials say doing so will attract an additional 20 million passengers a year to O’Hare (up a quarter from today), many of them arriving on lucrative international flights, an area in which O’Hare has fallen behind competitors such as Los Angeles International and Atlanta’s Hartsfield. And if those targets are reached, the plan sets the stage for further terminals in the future. Alderman also agreed to set up a working group, or commission, that will regularly monitor activity and report back to aldermen on whether minority businesses and workers are receiving an adequate piece of construction and related legal and financial contracts. The gate expansion follows a decade in which O’Hare added or lengthened several runways and converted many of them from a diagonal configuration to six east-west parallel runways. Most of that work already has been completed, with more expected soon. Laborers Graduate Another Record Number From Apprenticeship Program Recently, the LiUNA Chicagoland Laborers’ District Council Training and Apprenticeship Program held a graduation ceremony for 88 apprentices – most ever – at its Training Center on Homer Street in Chicago. Paul Hoetzer, Laborers’ Apprenticeship Coordinator, (see photo at top of right column) served as the master of ceremonies as he presented the 88 apprentices, who represented 12 different locals.
In the photo above, Local 5 graduate Tavarus Braggs (center) is joined (from left) by Johnetta Ryan, CISCO’s Education to Careers Director; Daphnie Braggs; Rebecca Garcia Westberg, South Suburban College Extension Services Director; and Paul Hoetzer Laborers’ Apprenticeship Coordinator. Despite Major Snowstorm, Members Turn Out For CISCO Annual Meeting Recognizing Award Winning Projects The show had to go on! CISCO hosted its Annual Meeting to a crowd of 115 very hearty guests who braved a serious snowstorm and attended the February 9th event.
CISCO recognized 7 different construction projects that were chosen in December for their quality in construction, design, safety record and impact on the community. To view more pictures of the event, click here. To read the detailed press release about the winning entries, click here. To view the photos of the winning projects, click here. In addition, CISCO affirmed the nominations for all of the Board positions, including its Executive Officers. CISCO’s new Board President is Maurice King, Vice President of IBEW Local 134. Its new Vice President will be S.J. Peters, Executive Director of PCA Midwest and the Plumbing Council Midwest. Other officers remain the same as Frank Furco stays on Treasurer and John Cronin as Secretary. Furco is Business Manager/Financial Secretary for IBEW Local 701, while Cronin is President of Trinity Roofing Service, Inc. and represents the Chicago Roofing Contractors Association. Apprenticeship Opportunities Elevator Constructor International Union of Elevator Constructors Local #2 Joint Apprenticeship Committee will be accepting applications beginning at 12:01 p.m. June 16, 2018 and end when the 800th completed application is processed or 12:01 p.m. June 29, 2018, whichever comes first. All applications must be completed online by visiting www.neiep.org/careers.aspx and by clicking the link for Apprenticeship Opportunities. Select the (city/state) recruitment. Minimum Qualifications: AGE: Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age EDUCATION: Applicants shall be a high school graduate or provide proof of equivalent educational attainment such as completion of the General Education Development (GED) tests. Each applicant shall submit (upload), with the completed application, a high school transcript, or high school diploma, or an official report of GED test results. APTITUDE: All applicants shall pass an examination designed to test the applicant’s reading, math skills, and aptitude for employment in the elevator industry. TOOL ASSESSMENT: Applicants will also take a Tool Assessment designed to assess knowledge of basic tools and their use, as well as basic measuring skills. PHYSICAL: Be capable of performing the physical requirements of the job without posing a threat to the health and safety of themselves or others. OTHER: Upon selection, pass a drug test. (Paid by the employer) A photo I.D. must be presented during the application process. FEES: $25.00 Testing Fee Required on TEST DAY (ONLY A MONEY ORDER OR BANK CERTIFIED CHECK WILL BE ACCEPTED, NO CASH, NO PERSONAL CHECKS). Fee waivers may be requested and will be approved upon showing of verifiable proof of financial need. |
CISCO will be teaming up with the DuPage County Building Trades and PowerForward DuPage – who will host the event – on a DuPage County Apprenticeship Expo Wednesday, May 30, from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. at IBEW Local 701 Hall, 28600 Bella Vista Parkway, Warrenville, IL, 60555.
An independent review of the 64 scholarship applications was conducted and the names of the winners were certified and contacted. The entries received were in two categories – 1) four-year scholarships ($2,000/year) to high school seniors, and 2) two-year awards ($1,000/year) for seniors planning to attend community college.
Illinois Tollway Chairman Bob Schillerstrom provided an update on the Tollway’s Capital Construction Plan, and several of the legislators mentioned the need to adopt another Capital Bill. The last Capital Bill was passed in 2009. In the photo above, Schillerstrom (center) is joined by (from left) Marc Poulos, III-FFF Executive Director; Jack Franks, McHenry County Chairman; Dan Cronin, DuPage County Chairman; and Mike Piraino, UCA Board Member.
“Right to Work” is a false phrase – a misunderstanding-by-design piece of legislation that is intended to cripple labor-advocating unions but more specifically, harm workers by shrinking workplace wages, reducing and even eliminating benefits, diminishing job site safety, and stripping the ability of workers to collectively improve their workplaces. To learn more about the devastating effects of Right To Work (for less) legislation, 
Register now for CISCO’s 30th Annual Luncheon set for Friday, May 4, 2018 at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Chicago, 516 N. Clark St.
Obama Foundation guest speakers were Mike Strautmanis, Chief Engagement Officer and Roark Frankel, Director of Design & Construction (see photo). The two emphasized how the project will help to continue the revitalization of historic Jackson Park. They also focused on a list of ambitious hiring goals for diversity and inclusion. One goal is to ensure that 50% of subcontractors are from diverse firms. Another goal includes working with labor unions to build a pipeline of talent.
With O’Hare’s tenant airlines scheduled to formally sign new lease deals, the path appears clear to implementing a plan by 2026 that, if all goes as scheduled, will add 3 million square feet of terminal space and 30 to 35 additional gates for planes to load passengers, up from 185 gates now.
