Nov 2009 Vol. 12 No. 11

Executive Officer's Forum

Botherhood

Bob Alvarado, Executive Officer

en Espanol >


"I encourage you to include your local food bank in your giving this holiday season."

Happy Holidays to you and yours! I know that lots of members are struggling this holiday season, but I hope that you can find things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Yes, 2009 has been a very tough year, but together we will keep working for a brighter future.

For those of you who have been working, I ask you to think about those who don’t have much this year. As you plan your giving this season, think about giving to others. We’ve had enough of these cycles of greed and conspicuous consumption. Let’s take care of each other in these tough times. That’s the meaning of brotherhood.

I encourage those of you who can to give to charity this season. You should give to the charity of your choice, but if you need a suggestion, here is one to consider: This year, many of our Locals have been helping members on the out-of-work list by providing food boxes on roll call days.

Most of these Locals are able to do this by partnering with a local food bank. We haven’t often had to think of food banks as a resource for union carpenters, but it has been many years since we’ve seen an economy as bad as this. Again, if you are able to make a donation this year, I encourage you to include your local food bank in your giving this holiday season.

Working to turn the economy

Meanwhile, we continue to work hard to help the economy turn the corner. Throughout our Regional Council, members of Carpenters in Action have stepped up when called on to show support for projects that will put carpenters back to work. As reported in this issue, there are projects, both public and private, on the horizon.

Projects like the high speed rail terminal and the Hunters and Candlestick Point development in San Francisco may see the light of day next year. The breakthrough water legislation described by Dan Curtin in this issue will take more effort to move forward, and we will support the bond measures next year.

All of these efforts highlight the importance of politics in determining our future. Some important decisions concerning our future are being made in Washington DC, and they don’t involve construction projects. As this issue goes to press, the House of Representatives has passed health care reform. We’ll be watching closely as this legislation moves to its conclusion. We need meaningful reform that controls costs and covers everyone.

One downside of the extended focus on health care is that movement on pension reform has been delayed. We are still pushing hard for legislation to undo the Bush Administration pension regulations, but at the same time the Pension Trustees are working hard to make sure our pension benefits comply even if we know the regulations are unfair. Watch for more information in the next couple issues of this paper.

In closing, I know very well what I have to be grateful for this Thanksgiving: the support I received in my re-election. These are challenging times, and I appreciate the faith the Delegates have placed in me and the Executive Committee. It is a sobering responsibility, but we will continue to do our best on every front to bring us all back to better times.

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