What are the responsibilities

Greeting Brothers and Sisters,

Over the past few weeks, several members have asked me what the duties of a Business Representative are. I thought it would be helpful to explain some of the responsibilities that come with serving the membership.

The first and most important responsibility of a Business Representative is to represent and protect the interests of our members. That means making sure every member is paid correctly and that every provision of our Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is enforced. When an issue arises between a member and an employer that cannot be resolved through communication, the Business Representative may file a grievance on behalf of the member.

Some of the most common grievances involve unpaid travel pay, shift differential, overtime violations, incorrect paychecks, or employer contributions that were not made to our Trust Funds. While these are some of the most frequent issues we see, there are many other situations where the contract must be enforced to protect our members.

In addition to handling grievances, a Business Representative’s daily responsibilities include attending Building Trades meetings, participating in pre-job meetings, visiting jobsites, addressing members’ concerns, communicating with contractors, and ensuring our Local Union’s finances and daily operations are handled properly. There is also a great deal of paperwork, communication, and coordination that takes place behind the scenes to keep the Local running efficiently. These are just some of the many duties performed on behalf of the membership.

I also want to stress the importance of keeping your certifications current. Certifications such as OSHA, CPR/First Aid, boom lift, forklift, and scaffolding training can make the difference between being dispatched to work or missing an opportunity. Please contact the Local Union office to find out about upcoming certification classes and training opportunities. If the STAR classes are full, don’t give up. Contact STARS directly and ask to be placed on the waiting list. Openings happen regularly, and being on the waiting list gives you a better chance of getting into the class.

In the coming weeks, I would like to begin a Member Spotlight section in our newsletter. This will highlight the accomplishments of our members and showcase the projects they are working on throughout our jurisdiction. If you would like your job site or crew featured, please contact me. I would be happy to visit your project, gather information, and take photographs to share with the membership.

Last month, Local 767 held nominations for our Executive Board. I would like to congratulate Ben Peterson on his nomination for President and Raymond Vasquez JR on his nomination for Member-at-Large David Bradley as Treasure and Maurice Graves as Trustee. I appreciate their willingness to step forward and serve our Local, and I wish them all the best.

As we look ahead to September, I would like to organize a Retirees Luncheon to recognize and thank the men and women who helped build Local 767. Their hard work and dedication created the opportunities we enjoy today. I also plan to open this event to any active member who would like to attend so we can come together, share stories, and honor those who came before us.

Finally, I want to sincerely thank each of you for giving me the opportunity to serve as your Business Representative for the next four years. Representing the members of Local 767 is a responsibility that I take very seriously, and it is truly an honor to earn your trust. I will continue working every day to protect our work, enforce our agreement, and represent this Local with professionalism and integrity.

Thank you for your continued support.

Safe travels, and I look forward to seeing you on the job.

John Tweedt

Business Representative

DC 16 / LU 767