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1812, 2014

Local 79 Healthcare Benefits Expanded as Eligibility Rules Change

December 18th, 2014|

On January 1, 2015, a major change in Local 79 healthcare eligibility rules will go into effect. Members have received or will soon receive a letter from the Funds describing the change, which will enlarge the pool of Local 79 members who are eligible for healthcare benefits and significantly increase the length of their coverage.  At the same time, the change ushers in a in-depth examination of Local 79’s healthcare plan, [...]

1012, 2014

Local 79 Volunteers Serve Up Thanksgiving Feast

December 10th, 2014|

On Thanksgiving Day, Local 79 members from 100 Black Construction Workers (100 BCW) and the Italian-American Committee and their family members came together to serve a Thanksgiving Dinner to the homeless at the Antioch Church of God in Christ in Harlem. It was homecoming of sorts for Local 79, as members of 100 BCW previously had volunteered their time to rehab parts of the church. "This was meaningful to everyone involved," said Local 79 Business Agent Barrie Smith. "Thanksgiving is above [...]

512, 2014

Larino Masonry Admits to Violating Wage Laws

December 5th, 2014|

Newark, NJ-based construction company Larino Masonry, Inc. has agreed to pay nearly three million dollars in back wages to workers after the company admitted that it had not paid workers prevailing wage, overtime, and fringe benefits on federally-funded projects in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. Read the article, which includes a quote from Local 79 Business Manager Mike Prohaska, that appeared in Construction Labor Report about this massive case of wage theft, by clicking here.

412, 2014

Annual Holiday Party for Local 79 Retirees

December 4th, 2014|

Hundreds of Local 79 retirees gathered at Russo's on the Bay on Tuesday, December 3 for the annual retiree holiday party. The party began with a number of union leaders thanking the retirees for all their contributions to Locals 66, 78, and 79. Attendees were also greeted with the good news that, due to the efforts of  Mason Tenders' District Council Trust Funds Trustees Bobby Bonanza, Mike Prohaska, and Edison Severino, all [...]

412, 2014

Community Voices Heard Presents Award to Mike Prohaska

December 4th, 2014|

  On the evening of Tuesday, December 2, Community Voices Heard (CVH) presented Local 79 Business Manager Mike Prohaska with one of its Shirley Chisholm "Lights of Freedom" Awards at its annual gala. Other honorees receiving awards were NYS Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Elias Foundation Founder and Director Jackie Mann. Rene Companioni, a member of CVH, a past participant in Local 79's "Pre-Apprenticeship Navigation Program," and currently an apprentice at Local 79, [...]

112, 2014

Rally Alert: East New York, Wednesday, February 4, 5:00 pm

December 1st, 2014|

Join Local 79 and other members of the building trades at a rally on Wednesday, February 4 at 5:00 pm at Grace Baptist Church (223 New Jersey Avenue) in East New York. Major redevelopment is coming to the area around Broadway Junction, and Local 79 is rallying with other members of the building trades to ensure that the redevelopment provides local residents with career-oriented union jobs that pay family-sustaining wages.

2011, 2014

Business Manager Mike Prohaska Honored by Make the Road New York

November 20th, 2014|

On Wednesday evening, November 19, Make the Road New York presented Local 79 Business Manager Mike Prohaska with one of its 2014 Dignity, Community & Power Awards at its annual gala. Joining him in receiving awards were United Steelworkers International President Leo Gerard and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. Deborah Axt, the Co-Executive Director of Make the Road New York gave the award to Prohaska after a warm introduction in which she talked [...]

1311, 2014

Organizing Victory at Astoria Cove!

November 13th, 2014|

In a major victory for working men and women throughout New York City, a deal was reached for the proposed Astoria Cove project that ensures that union workers will build, maintain and service the project and that 27% of the residential units will be affordable housing, with some monthly rents as low as $800. The area, which is nearly a mile from the nearest subway stop, will also receive ferry [...]

1011, 2014

Members Needed at Community Board Meetings

November 10th, 2014|

A number of members are already active in their Community Boards and Local 79 is very appreciative of their volunteer efforts. For those of you who are not currently involved with your Community Board, Local 79 wants to see the number of members at Community Board meetings grow. Eventually, the Local would like to have a membership presence at all 59 community boards throughout the city. Why is it important to have members [...]

711, 2014

Dedication of Laborers Care Great Room at St. Mary’s Hospital

November 7th, 2014|

LiUNA General President Terry O'Sullivan, LiUNA Vice President and Eastern Regional Manager Ray Pocino, Mason Tenders' District Council Business Manager Bobby Bonanza, Local 79 Business Manager Mike Prohaska, and numerous other union officials and staff were present on Friday, November 7 for the dedication of the Laborers Care Great Room at St Mary's Hospital for Children in Queens. In 2012, Local 79 made a commitment to raise $500,000 for the children of St. [...]

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