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UNION BUILDING TRADES STEP UP TO THE PL ATE FOR REBUILDING TOGETHER PITTSBURGH
Approximately 235 members of the Greater Pennsylvania Regional Council of Carpenters and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union #5 along with other union building trade workers stepped up to the plate on Saturday,
April 26, 2008, to help rehabilitate 31 homes in the Pittsburgh area as part of Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh's "2008 Rebuilding Day.
"With sponsorships from local union contractors and other businesses and organizations, Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh has organized and overseen the renovation of nearly 1,000 homes, community parks and other facilities at a donated cost of $5.6 million since its inception in 1993. This year's donated time and materials totaled approximately $500,000, much of which came from volunteer union labor.
"We could not be as successful in reaching out to help local citizens who do not have the financial means or capabilities to renovate their own homes without the generous support of the union building trades," said Cindy Gilch, Executive Director of Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh. "Their skills and helping attitudes are an integral part of our program and our mission
."In addition to the Carpenters and Electricians, among those businesses and organizations sponsoring homes at a cost of $3,500 and providing volunteer workers were the Laborers' District Council of Western Pennsylvania and several prominent union contractors and associations including P.J. Dick, Inc., Mascaro Construction Company LP, Dick Corporation, and the Master Interior Contractors Association.
Along with the Greater Pennsylvania Regional Council of Carpenters, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and Laborers District Council of Western Pennsylvania, members of International Union of Operating Engineers Local Union #66, Plumbers Local Union #27, and Steamfitters Local Union #449 also provided support through manpower and/or materials to Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh Day.
"Approximately 200 union carpenters volunteered their services on Rebuilding Day to help area senior citizens and other individuals who don't have the financial resources or mechanical skills to perform repairs on their own," said Bill Waterkotte, Assistant Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Greater Pennsylvania Regional Council of Carpenters.
"Our members do not participate for the publicity," he said. "They do it because they care about our community and enjoy helping others who don't have the means to help themselves. I am always extremely proud and grateful of our members
who come out each year in great numbers to pitch in. We never have trouble asking or finding volunteers.""We were delighted to once again participate in Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh and increase our efforts to offer our services as skilled electricians," said Michael Dunleavy, Business Manager of IBEW Local Union #5. "As locally trained electricians, we know how overwhelming electrical repairs can be to senior citizens and we are pleased to be able to provide our services for such a worthy cause."
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From left, Matt McHugh of Local 373, John Duffy and Dennis Mazzoni inspect their work. (Photo 4) A job well done.
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Members of the Laborers’ District Council of Western Pennsylvania worked from dawn to dusk to
replace the sidewalk of an elderly McKeesport resident.
Walter Schnelback looks over the shoulder of John Duffy, both of Local 1058, to break up the original sidewalk.
Dennis Mazzoni of Local 1451, left, and Bill Brooks of Local 373, prepare the necessary framing prior to the concrete pour.
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