President: Ron McLellan
(860) 343-8718 or 1-800-622-3359 x718
E-Mail: rmclellan@ceui.org
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.
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 - Previous Columns
SERVING THE WORKING PERSON
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