NEWS
Local 79 Volunteers Serve Up Thanksgiving Feast
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 [...]
Larino Masonry Admits to Violating Wage Laws
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.
Annual Holiday Party for Local 79 Retirees
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 [...]
Community Voices Heard Presents Award to Mike Prohaska
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, [...]
Rally Alert: East New York, Wednesday, February 4, 5:00 pm
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.
Business Manager Mike Prohaska Honored by Make the Road New York
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 [...]
Organizing Victory at Astoria Cove!
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 [...]
Members Needed at Community Board Meetings
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 [...]
Dedication of Laborers Care Great Room at St. Mary’s Hospital
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. [...]
Local 79 Builds Benches in the Bronx
On Saturday, November 1, staff from Local 79 and Greater New York Laborers &-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust (GNY LECET) and participants from Local 79's pre-apprenticeship Navigation Program volunteered their time to build benches at Padre Plaza Success Garden in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. The benches will be donated to local community organizations. Community Voices Heard, New York Communities for Change, St. Nicks Alliance, and Make the Road New York worked with Local 79 to identify people who [...]
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LOCAL 79
We’re Fighting for the Future of New York City Construction
