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President:
Ron McLellan
(860) 343-8718 or 1-800-622-3359 x718
E-Mail: rmclellan@ceui.org
We are a union of workers and retirees fighting for job security,
fair wages, benefits, safe working conditions and pensions in Connecticut.
I wish to thank you for visiting our site and I hope you will find
it informative.
WORKERS’ ADVOCATE
By Ron McLellan/April 2007
I want to
begin my first column by saying it is an honor to serve the members
of this Union as the 3rd president in its 40 year history. I bring
enthusiasm and new ideas while sticking with our core values of
service to the members and fighting for what we believe in.
To give you
some of my background, I began State service in 1978 as a maintainer
at UConn in West Hartford. In 1980 I moved to the UConn Law School,
and then to UConn Storrs as a boiler tender. I began in 1983 at CCSU
as a boiler tender, then a stationary engineer and lead stationary
engineer. My Union leadership experience comprises more than 20
years as a steward, chief steward, safety steward, executive board
trustee and vice president.
Our Union’s
great resource is its members. The cook at CVH the DOT maintainer at
Darien Maintenance, the custodian at WCSU, the carpenter at UConn
Storrs and thousands of others too numerous to mention. When we
speak with one voice, they hear us! When we show up at a rally or
the State Capitol, they see us! When they take on one of us, they
take on all of us! There is no limit to what we can accomplish
together. I urge every member to become involved in the fight in
some way: come to a meeting, call a legislator, contribute to COPE,
write a letter, run for steward, join a committee, or help a member
in need.
Our #1 priority
is to begin contract negotiations with the State as soon as the law
will allow. Members need to get contract questionnaires completed to
provide vital data to the negotiating committee. They need to know
what is important to you so they can negotiate the best contract
possible.
We are
fortunate to have an excellent and caring Union staff. The staff
reps and support staff are always willing to help members any way
they can.
I will be
available to members 7 days a week. My office voicemail references
my home number should an urgent problem arise on a night, weekend or
holiday. During the day I can be reached at 860-343-8718 or
800-622-3359, x718.
SERVING THE WORKING PERSON
Outgoing President Steven Perruccio's Column, Printed from the
February 2007
Newspaper:
I quietly began
my employment with CEUI in January 1970 and over 37 years later I
remember countless skirmishes, battles and wars in the crusade to
improve the lives of working people. To choose an event as the
“best” or most “beneficial” to CEUI members and their families, in
my opinion, is impossible because each victory has meant something
important to members.
The
successes would not, more accurately, could not, have occurred if it
were not for the members who volunteered to help a family in need,
who served as a steward, who served on a committee, who participated
in political campaigns, who walked with pickets and protestors, and,
importantly, who stood up to be counted. Thank you for all you did
to help!
To
the loyal staff, decades of many active and (now) retired members
can tell you based on personal experience how conscientious,
dedicated, loyal and hard working you have been and are today. Staff
made the difference in every way possible. Thank you, Connie, Lisa
and Sue. Tracy, you made the last 5 tough years a lot easier. Thank
you!
To
the Executive Board, you are top shelf. If it were not for your
tenacious adherence to your convictions our members would not enjoy
many of the benefits they have today: salaries have almost doubled
and a 20 year pension/medical contract is the envy of every
Connecticut newspaper editorial board. Your leadership will continue
to improve the benefits and working conditions of members for a very
long time.
So
who was here before me? Joy Bylan and Ed Lynch, two individuals who
played an integral role in almost every critical issue over several
decades. On a personal note, if I could turn the clock back and
change several decisions in line with the advice they gave, I would
do so in a heart beat.
In
1970, shortly after starting my State job as an assistant
storekeeper for DAS, Middletown Central Warehouse, Frozen Food
(minus 30 degrees) Department, I said to myself, I will turn 55 in
August 2006, so I will retire April 2007. So I signed the papers in
early January 2007.
Dear
members, I kept my intentions to myself so you would be the first to
know. I have tried to be available seven days a week and as many
hours as it took, and as often as possible to assist and serve you
in any and every way possible. I never said never. When necessary I
fought and now I will quietly leave with good health. Thank you for
letting me serve you, God bless and please don’t tell me what kind
of retirement to have!
SERVING THE WORKING PERSON
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