OPEIU

Local 212

Office & Professional Employees International Union

Business Representative

Background

Office and Professional Employees International Union was chartered in 1945 and with more than 110,000 members (representing 125,000 employees) strong, we’re one of the larger unions of the AFL-CIO. OPEIU has locals in every state, Puerto Rico and Canada. You are not alone when you join OPEIU.

Job Description

The Business Representative position provides the full range of representation to members in their assigned units. This includes all matters related to collective bargaining, processing grievances and arbitrations. In addition the person will be expected to foster and promote constructive, progressive and positive relationships with all employers, the International Union, as well as the members and leadership of the Local Union. The Business Representative will also serve as a liaison of the Local Union with the labor community, the press and elected officials in the area.

Job Duties

·         Working with and advising grievance committees and stewards regarding grievances and other matters of interest in the respective bargaining unit.

·         Performs all aspects of negotiations related to the labor agreements.

·         Engage in contract mediation and arbitration issues.

·         Attend all labor management, membership and Executive Board meetings.

·         Develope and effectively implement organizing strategies to increase the membership of the Local Union

·         Reporting activities to the President and Executive Board of the Local Union

·         Other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

·         Knowledge of the Principles of Collective Bargaining with demonstrated experience negotiating comprehensive labor agreements.

·         Ability to establish rapport with diversified groups.

·         Leadership skills to educate and motivate members.

·         Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to listen attentively.

·         Maintain high degree of professionalism and confidentiality.

·         Basic computer skills in Microsoft Office and e-mail programs.

Please submit resume and cover letter via email to OPEIULOCAL212@AOL.COM or via U.S. mail to:

OPEIU Local 212
2495 Main Street, Suite 301
Buffalo, NY Buffalo, NY 14214

We had a great time at the Labor Day Parade. OPEIU was honored with a spot near the front of the parade in recognition of the tremendous struggle with BCBS of WNY when they Locked Out the entire workforce for 12 weeks. Mark Poloncarz, candidate for Erie County Executive served as grand Marshall and Master of Ceremonies for the annual event held in South Buffalo. OPEIU volunteers assisted with the picnic duties following the parade. This year the UAW took the lead in organizing the parade and picnic and was assisted by many other groups – great job!

September 15, 2011 – Save the date. There has been substantial interest in holding a celebratory Prayer Vigil. Plans are in the works for an event that will stretch from Noon until 1:30 pm to allow for people to come out during their lunchtime. Stay tuned for more information.

September 21, 2011 – Save the date. A General Meeting of OPEIU Local 212 will be held beginning at 5:30 pm at the Ironworkers Local #6 Hall. At approximately 6:30 pm the general meeting will adjourn and we will commence a BCBS Unit meeting. Hope to see you there.

Check out the new page called VOTE - Endorsements 2011. This page will show the elected officials and candidates for public office who have received endorsement from OPEIU Local 212. Primary Day is Tuesday September 13th. Many important races will be decided on this day, so don't skip the Primary!!! (More updates to come within the next few days.)

Lastly, I have posted an important notice on the Member Home page of the website, please take a moment to check it out.

Buffalo AFL-CIO Council’s

2011 LABOR DAY PARADE & PICNIC 

Monday – September 5, 2011

Mark Poloncarz is Grand Marshall

Come One Come All 2011 Labor Day Parade & Picnic:
Date:  Monday, September 5th, 2011
Time:  10:30 Meet at Cazenovia Park
Invites: All Union Members and Family Members the more the merrier

We are looking to have 40 to 50 of our Union Members and Family come and join the fun.  
We are meeting at 10:30 at Cazenovia Park so we can take the bus or trolley down to the Irish Center to start the Parade
If you would like to bring a dish or chips please feel free to do so.
Please wear your union shirt any one will do. If you have our Lockout is over tee shirt that would be a great shirt to wear!!!

Please let us know if you will be attending so we know how many tables to reserve.  Just a little tidbit you are welcome to just walk in the parade and leave or you may stay and have a dog or a hamburg and leave or stay and hang out with your fellow Union Brothers and Sister the whole time.  We just want to have fun and celebrate LABOR!!

Be Part of the Celebration!

Donate:  We are looking for our Brothers and Sisters and Family members to come and celebrate Labor Day with our fellow friends. Give back to Labor and show your solidarity and pride with local union floats, t-shirts, and signs and celebrate with the community we support!!

Volunteer: The committee is looking for volunteers to help work at the tent area with the food, drinks instead of walking in the parade. We are looking for at least 10 people union or family members. If you are interested please contact Janice Siegel by 8/31/11 at ext 7256

For more information contact                                                                                                

Grievance Committee

Brenda Stjohn

Roberta Novack

Donna Amos

Carl Mirabella

Caroline Muszynski                            

Help Support Verizon Workers!

August 8, 2011
To:     Western New York Labor & Community
Fr:    Denis Hughes, President
Re:    CWA Strike Support

As you may know, more than 45,000 workers went on strike Sunday, at Verizon Communications.  Bargaining continues. Since bargaining began on July 22, Verizon has refused to move from a long list of concession demands. As the contract expired, nearly 100 concessionary company proposals remained on the table.

As a result, CWA and IBEW have decided to take the unprecedented step of striking until Verizon stops its Wisconsin-style tactics and start bargaining seriously.
Even at the 11th hour, as contracts were set to expire, Verizon continued to seek to strip away 50 years of collective bargaining gains for middle class workers and their families.

CWA and IBEW members are prepared to return to work when management demonstrates the willingness to begin bargaining seriously for a fair agreement. If not, CWA and IBEW members and allies will continue the fight.

Verizon Financials
•    2011 annualized revenues are $108 billion and annualized net profits are $6 billion.
•    Verizon Wireless just paid its parent company and Vodaphone a $10 billion dividend.
•    Verizon’s top five executives received compensation of $258 million over the past four years.

The contract covers 45,000 members of CWA and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers from New England to Virginia.

Your help is needed to support the workers!  Beginning Monday August, 8, 2011 please attend a picket line in your area and spread the word to our affiliates for support!! CWA also asked if we could reach out to our local elected officials for their support on the line for the workers. 

Only together can we beat back against this corporate greed!  WE ARE ONE- together we will stand with our brothers and sisters in CWA and IBEW members fighting for a fair contract!

Western NY Locations - STARTING TODAY!
Buffalo
Franklin St Central Office
65 Franklin St. Buffalo, NY

Niagara Falls
574 Portage Rd. (corner of Walnut Ave.)
Niagara Falls, NY