Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

I hope you and your families are doing well as we head into another spring construction season. The Apprenticeship Program has been busy as the end of the year rapidly approaches. There are thirteen apprentices set to graduate in June. They have done a great job to this point, and we look forward to seeing them finish their apprenticeship on a high note and become Journey members. Throughout the winter, the process of taking in a new group of Probationary Apprentices has continued. Thanks to a continued strong work outlook, we were able to accept another large apprenticeship class. Thank you to the Apprenticeship and Training Trustees who interviewed another large group of prospective candidates. Please welcome these new apprentices when you see them on the job and at meetings soon.

Thanks to the continued support of Business Manager William McLaughlin and the Apprenticeship and Training Trustees, we continue to update equipment at the Training Center. We have several orders pending for new equipment and will be excited to make those available to the members as they become ready for delivery.

The 4G gas workers program has been a continued success in Canton. This charter, started by Business Manager McLaughlin, has been an excellent opportunity for expanding market share. The National Training Fund’s trailer has been onsite in Canton, training the Local’s second 4G class. This has been a top-notch training program put on by the International. Our first class was a huge success with the members getting right out to work upon completion. We expect the same for this class. If you know of anyone interested in this Program, please have them reach out for future classes.

I want to congratulate Dave Dobson on his retirement in July. Dave has done a great job and it has been a pleasure to work with him. I will miss working with Dave but hope that he enjoys his well-earned retirement to the fullest. I am confident Chris Carey will do an amazing job filling the big shoes left by Dave. Congratulations, Chris, on your upcoming role as a Business Representative of the Worcester area.

Congratulations to James Marenghi on his new role as Organizer. I’ve known Jimmy for a long time, and he will be a great addition to the staff. He cares a great deal about the success of the Local and will bring a lot of passion to the job.

I was proud to be at a meeting over the winter where the Local presented a check for $100,000 to the Alzheimer’s Association Massachusetts / New Hampshire Chapter. This was a great moment to help fight a disease that has affected all of us in one way or another. Congratulations to Business Manager Bill McLaughlin, the Golf Committee, Sponsors, and all of the members on this generous donation that will surely go to a great cause.

I would also like to thank all of the members who came out to the Local 4/ Boston Children’s Hospital Blood drive on March 4. This was another great display of generosity and community involvement. The Children’s Hospital is a great resource for so many families and we are fortunate that they are in our backyard. Great job to all who donated.

Lastly, it was nice to be in Maine for our March 22 Body Meeting. It was good to be able to see so many new faces in the crowd. Business Rep. Robert Burr and all the members in Maine have been doing great work up there, so it was fitting to have a Body Meeting in Portland that was more easily accessible to them.

I hope you all have a busy and safe spring. Please reach out if there is anything the Training Center can help you with.