See Ralph's Wesite at: http://www.ralph1212.com/Home.html

To Members of IBEW Local 1212:

Since 2003, I have successfully represented the interests of the members of IBEW Local 1212, most recently as Senior Business Representative. I believe it is time to improve the leadership and quality of our business office, and I know what needs to be done. That’s why I am asking for your vote for Business Manager in the election on June 16th-17th.

Visit my website at: http://www.ralph1212.com/Home.html

Thank you for your support!


Dear Sisters & Brothers:

Here are my thoughts on the needs and priorities for Local 1212, and what I will strive for as your Business Manager.


1) PROMOTING WORK OPPORTUNITIES:

The primary purpose of any union is to facilitate employment for the membership – Get Work!

Until you have work, wages, benefits, and working conditions are not an issue. To that end, you will never hear me say, “We are not a hiring hall.”

The subtext for everything we do is to create jobs for our members. When you call the hall, we will put you in touch with the people who hire engineers at every IBEW Local 1212 signatory.

I will do anything and everything in my power to get the word out to
producers that IBEW Local 1212 is the place to come for the finest broadcast engineers in the industry.


2) JURISDICTION:

Communications technology is an ever-changing art. From two cans and a
string, to rabbit ears, to film, to tape, to DVD, to digital, HD, and the
World Wide Web, the bottom line is that as much as technology has changed,
the fundamentals have not.

Regardless of the acquisition and delivery formats, you must still capture
video and audio, edit the images and sound, add graphics and effects, then
transmit the finished product to the public.

The fact remains that no matter how this is accomplished, whatever devices
and methods are used, Local 1212 adds value, and we will pursue jurisdiction.


3) ORGANIZING:

I will work closely with IBEW District 3 and the IBEW International as we
endeavor to organize the non-represented workers in every shop where an IBEW Local 1212 collective bargaining agreement is already in place.

In addition, we will promulgate a standard agreement with competitive wages,
benefits, and working conditions to make it easy for production companies to
work with IBEW Local 1212 crews when they shoot in the New York metropolitan area.


4) UNION DEMOCRACY:

Going forward, any and all members with an interest in the issues on the
table may participate in the discussion. Key information regarding negotiations will be shared with the members as the process proceeds.

You get the union you deserve. We are only as strong as your willingness to
participate.

To that end, we must revisit our local policies and make any and all changes
necessary to increase operating transparency, member representation, open
communication, and support union democracy in the way we conduct union
business on behalf of this membership.


5) PROACTIVE REPRESENTATION:

There will be frequent shop visits by the business representatives to all
shifts, shop steward training and meetings, and monthly e-mail reports
to the membership.

We will seek out and publicize employment and training opportunities.

We will seek to address the concerns of all categories of contractual employment.

Of course, grievances and arbitrations will be filed and followed up on, in a timely
manner.

You have the right to expect expect prompt, efficient, proactive representation.


6) COMMUNICATION:

Representing the membership of IBEW Local 1212 is a privilege
that comes with the responsibility to aid, support, and protect every staff,
temp, and per diem member of this Local.

We must also reach out to our brothers and sisters in the other unions and
guilds in our industry in a spirit of cooperation to help protect and expand
jurisdiction, training opportunities, and promote employers and vendors
bringing more production to the N.Y. metropolitan area.

I will to continue to make myself available 24 hours a day, seven days a
week to address the concerns of the membership.

Thank you again for your support!

Sincerely,

Ralph Avigliano
Member IBEW Local 1212