No doubt in my mind, there is a conflict of interest here.
I was just reading a story over at YNNRochester (formerly Rnews) that had an article up about Ren Square and how it affects local workers. Link.
There are many quotes from Frank Wirt. A few I find interesting.
For instance, Frank says that "His goal was to get the thousands of trade workers he represents back to work." and that "the construction industry is the worst it's been since the 1970's. He says the carpenters alone are experiencing a 35 to 50 percent unemployment rate."
Well, welcome to what the rest of the country is experiencing!
Unemployment is at an all time high. EVERYONE is feeling the effects of this terrible economy, and many, especially in our area with layoffs etc., are experiencing unemployment.
However, many of these people don't have a "union buddy" who sits on a Town Board and can push a law through that definitely helps the Union.
Frank Wirt is the president of the Rochester Building and Construction Trade Council, which represents about 18 trade unions.
John Perticone is the Vice President.
The blog under this one, with the article written by Clarke Conde, states that he is director of the RBCTC.
See for yourself:
NYSDOL is recruiting a bunch of Apprentices in the Rochester area.
Current Area Recruitment for Apprentice
216 openings
(40)
PLUMBERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (December 31, 2008) - The Plumbing and Heating Joint Apprenticeship and Training Council of Rochester, Local 13, will conduct recruitment from January 6 through December 1, 2009 for 20 plumber and 20 steamfitter apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today.
(23)
BRICKLAYERS AND ALLIED CRAFT WORKERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (May 29, 2009) - The Bricklayers & Allied Craft workers, Local Union # 3, will conduct a recruitment from June 4, 2009 through May 6, 2010 for 16 bricklayer and mason apprentices, 4 tile setter apprentices, and 3 tile, marble & terrazzo finisher apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications can be obtained at the Bricklayers Local # 3, 3750 Monroe Avenue, Pittsford, NY from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, first Thursday of each month (except holidays). Applicants must apply in person.
(10)
CARPENTERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (November 17, 2008) - The Empire State Carpenters Apprenticeship Committee, Millwrights Local 1163, will conduct recruitment for 10 millwright apprentices from December 2, 2008 through November 24, 2009, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications will be available at the following locations and times: 112-118 South Third Street, Olean, the third Wednesday of every month from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m.; 21 Jet View Drive, Rochester, from 9 a.m. to noon, the third Tuesday; 23 Market Street, Binghamton, the third Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; 181 Industrial Park Road, Horseheads, the third Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; 1159 Maryvale Drive, Cheektowaga, the first Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon; 3195 Vickery Road, North Syracuse, the first Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; 325 Bleeker Street, Utica, the first Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; 137 East Main Street, Gouverneur, the first Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; 23 Elm Street, Suite 300, Plattsburgh, every Thursday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; 27 Warehouse Row, Albany, every Thursday from noon to 4 p.m.; and 52 Stone Castle Road, Suite 1, Rock Tavern, every Tuesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This schedule extends throughout the recruitment period. Applications must be completed on the premises.
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CARPENTERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (February 17, 2009) - The Empire State Carpenters Apprenticeship Committee, Region 4 (Rochester), will conduct recruitment for 30 carpenter apprentices from February 17, 2009 through January, 19, 2010, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications will be available at the local, 21 Jet View Drive, Rochester, from 9 a.m. to noon, the third Tuesday of every month except holidays during the recruitment period. Applications can be filled out during times stated, only at JATC office. No applications will be accepted through the mail.
(10)
ELECTRICIANS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Geneva, NY (February 10, 2009) - The Geneva Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee for the Electrical Industry, Local 840, will conduct recruitment from February 11, 2009 through January 13, 2010 for 10 electrician apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications can be obtained in person at the local, 1401 Routes 5 and 20, Geneva, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., on the second Wednesday of each month during the recruitment period.
(20-25)
IRONWORKERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (March 26, 2009) - The Ironworkers Local #33 JATC, will conduct a recruitment from April 7, 2009 through April 6, 2010 for 20-25 ironworker apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications can be obtained at Local # 33, 154 Humboldt Street, Rochester, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the first Tuesday of each month during the recruitment period.
(20+)
ELECTRICIANS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (February 02, 2009) - The Rochester Electrical Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, Local 86, will conduct recruitment from February 4, 2009 through January 20, 2010 for 20+ apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications can be obtained in person only, from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the local, 470 West Metro Park, Rochester, the first and third Wednesday of each month. Applications must be completed on the premises.
(40)
ROOFERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (April 09, 2009) - The Roofers JATC of Rochester Local 22 will conduct a recruitment from April 13, 2009 through March 8, 2010 for forty roofer apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications can be obtained at Local 22, 280 Metro Park, Rochester, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., every Monday excluding holidays. All applications must be completed on site during the time indicated.
(15)
SHEET METAL WORKERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (February 27, 2009) - The Sheet Metal Workers’ Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, Local 46, will conduct recruitment from March 3, 2009 through February 2, 2010 for 15 apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today. Applications can be obtained in person only at the local, 40 Rutter St., Rochester, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the first Tuesday of each month during the recruitment period and no applications leave the premises.
(3)
PAINTERS RECRUIT APPRENTICES
Rochester, NY (March 02, 2009) - The Finishing Trades Institute of Western and Central New York will conduct recruitment from March 3, 2009 through January 6, 2010 for three painter, decorator, paperhanger apprentices, three drywall tapers and three glazier apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today.
216 new apprentices - who will take on the responsibility of training the next generation of contractors?
Well, so far, just the City of Rochester and now maybe Irondequoit if they pass the resolution.
I don't think any other town or village in Monroe County has an apprenticeship law mandated for their public works projects, except for the City of Rochester which does have an apprenticeship law.(...and who has had such successful ventures with "public works" - ferry, ren square....)
* Brighton
* Chili
* Clarkson
* Gates
* Greece
* Hamlin
* Henrietta
* Mendon
* Ogden
* Parma
* Penfield
* Perinton
* Pittsford
* Riga
* Rush
* Sweden
* Webster
* Wheatland
* Village of Brockport
* Village of Churchville
* Village of East Rochester
* Village of Fairport
* Village of Hilton
* Village of Honeoye Falls
* Village of Pittsford
* Village of Scottsville
* Village of Spencerport
* Village of Webster
Check out the laws in each town and village for public works. None of them have mandated laws for apprenticeship programs.
Don't you think that other towns and villages would be jumping on this "save the town money" apprenticeship program?
Maybe not. I'm not sure how many union guys sit on the boards of other towns.
All I know is that John Perticone sits on Irondequoit's Town Board, belongs to the union, is VP of RBCTC where the president Frank Wirt is saying that his "goal is to get thousands of trade workers he represents back to work."
A good way of doing that is having an apprenticeship law on the books for a town.
An easy way of getting that done is by having your union buddy John Perticone offer a resolution to mandate it for the Town of Irondequoit.
Which is why I think it would be a good idea to have John Perticone recuse himself from voting on this issue.
***Don't forget......a primary is coming up along with elections......unions are a big voting block and politicians like to court them at every opportunity......passing this law would be a big favor to them and they would return the favor in votes.***
