I hope this article finds you working steady and looking forward to Spring. We will have nominations for all Executive Board Officers in May and Elections in June if needed. The Executive Board positions are as follows; President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Warden, Trustees (3), and Member at Large (2). We will have a wage allocation on June 3, 2025, we will go over our options at the May 6, 2025, Membership Meeting. We will be allocating $3.75 cents effective January 1, 2026.  Postcards will go out to all members this month.  The By-Laws Committee met on April 7, 2025, and will try to have the proposed by-laws by the end of May, when they will be voted on is still to be determined. When we have a date, you will be notified by mail and text messaging.

The past few years, work hours have been increasing. I have asked the Executive Board to consider investing some of our money into a Money Market Account or CD. Local 1237 in the past had good times and tough times but was never able to invest in the local’s future. I want to make it clear that this money will not help us in the immediate future but will help solidify our union for future members to come. I am asking you to come to the May Membership Meeting and discuss it with the Executive Board, and myself. 

Apprentices, it has come to my attention that some of you believe that you can choose to skip school if you are working, this is not true. If you miss school the Director of Training will drop you from the program and you will have to go through the process of asking to be reinstated while not being able to work. If you miss a raise because you did not attend school, it also means that you lose money. If you were a 50% apprentice and missed school, you would be held back for possibly 6 months or until the class you missed if offered again. You would lose $2.52 an hour, and the total wage could be $2, 620.00 in a six-month period. 

On Monday April 21, 2025, I was honored to receive a Legacy Award from the Roberts Family Development Center (RFDC). At the Annual Legacy Dinner, a video was shown of myself talking about the reasons why I donate my time, money, and talents. Growing up in Sacramento and remaining a resident for 53 years, South Sacramento did not have anything comparable to what RFDC has created out of love, community, and a better future for all. I was lucky and did not travel down a bad path and found my trade right out of high school. I had family and friends to help me navigate my life and deal with tough times and struggles. RFDC does the same but from the moment you walk into the center you can see the pride and love that is all over the walls. Murals of family members past and present are the first thing you see, the giving tree of donations catches your eye, and my favorite is the paintings by local artists who proudly display their life’s passion for all to see. Our apprentices have done the floors in the teen center, my family and I did the floors (during covid) on the last remodel, and I hope all members will help with their next major project. I gave a speech when I was given the award and thanked those who have helped donate or work on the RFDC but closed with a quote from former NFL great Gayle Sayers “The Lord is first; my friends and family are second; I am third”. I honestly believe that we are here to serve our fellow brothers and sisters.

Fechas importantes

6 de mayo de 2025, Nominaciones para puestos de la Junta Ejecutiva Local 5:30 p.m.

6 de mayo de 2025, Discusión sobre dónde asignar el salario de $3.75 del 1 de enero de 2026, 17:30

May 23, 2025, Designated Day Off (rate of pay is time and 25%)

May 26, 2025, Legal Holiday (Memorial Day) (Sat, Sun, and Mon rate of pay is double time)

3 de junio de 2025, Elección de Oficiales (si es necesario) 5:30 p.m.

3 de junio de 2025, votación de asignación salarial, 17:30 h

Fraternalmente,

Randy Rojas

Representante Empresarial

DC16/LU 1237