UPDATE '10 - Fall

A Message from Terence M. O’Sullivan LIUNA General President

A Message from Armand E. Sabitoni LIUNA General Secretary-Treasurer & New England Regional Manager

Build America 2010 Campaign (On The Cover)

We Remember Edward DiRissio

Laborers Go Ivy League Local 271, RI Helps Build Brown University

LIUNA Gives Back Contributions in preserving Labor History in ME; Preserving the Memory of Fellow Laborers in CT; Saving School Sports in RI

Retirement Council News

LIUNA Goes Green NELTA Conducts First LIUNA Weatherization Training Program • Green Technology Creates Jobs

What’s Going On at The Academies

Business Manager Profile Joseph Bonfiglio - MLDC Business Manager

Milestones Paul Rouillard & Thomas Hersey of Local 976, NH; Gilbert LaPierre & David McKeone of Local 327, ME

Making Strides in Apprenticeship

A Message from Vere O. Hayes LIUNA Vice President

Health & Safety News

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20-24Published by the New England Laborers’ Labor-Management Cooperation Trust • 226 South Main Street • Providence, RI 02903-2990

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In May, LIUNA launched an important initiative - Build America 2010. The state of our nation’s critical, fundamental infra-structure - our transportation systems, our water resources, energy systems and other basics - is dire. It threatens our ability to compete in the world and threatens economic recovery, but it also offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to truly build America - to build America so America works. We can get our economy moving again and leave future gener-ations with stability no other nation can overshadow. Build America 2010 is one of the most significant efforts LIUNA has launched and, we believe, one of the most comprehensive and significant efforts undertaken around these critical issues. LIUNA is one of the larg-est, most aggressive and progressive unions in all of North America. However, LIUNA members - like everyone in the construction industry - are struggling with Depression-era unemployment. Nationally, more than 1 in 5, (nearly 2 million), construction workers are jobless. Thus, it is crucial that our role as advocates for building America stem from the interest of LIUNA members as workers of and for the greater good of the nation. Consider the stalled Surface Trans-portation Act. This act, which authorizes investment through the Highway Trust Fund, is the single biggest job creating legislation in our country and cares for the foundation of our transportation sys-tem. Without a new Surface Transportation Act, the Highway Trust Fund will again be broke next year, so the clock is ticking! Even if resources for the fund remain status quo, by 2012 the fund will be at 50 percent of its current level and will not fully re-cover in years beyond that in part because of decreases in gas tax user fees, according to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation officials. That is a recipe for stalled economic recov-ery. It will cause America to fall behind much of the world. Worst of all, it will result in the loss of an estimated 2 million jobs over the course of four years. On the other hand, if we invested what the experts recom-mend, we would create more than 8 million jobs over that time peri-od. The core strategy of Build America 2010 is to move votes in the United States Senate to increase investment. The U.S. House has

produced significant jobs-creating legislation which would invest in building America - legislation which we are confident the President will sign - but legislation consistently dies in the Senate. Our goal is to change that by hosting various member-driv-en and media-driven movements that unite allies in communities, business and government. Our view is there are no targets in Build America 2010 - only potential allies and heroes who will take on this issue, either as incumbents or as candidates. Many of our new activ-ists will be visiting their elected officials this summer; writing letters to their newspapers, reaching out to fellow members, phone-bank-ing, and everything they can do to fight for their jobs, their families and their country. In every state, members will drive this engine and

we expect to add more than 3,000 members to the 20,000 current member activist base. Build America 2010 will be media-driven as well, using online ads for example that will collaborate with Google maps and will al-low motorists to see if their route includes deficient bridges. We will also use radio and TV ads. The American Recovery and Rein-vestment Act was very good progress in al-locating significant investment in building

our country, and we deeply appreciate the Obama Administration’s leadership on that, which put hundreds of thousands of men and women back to work and kept more from losing work. It was the right medicine, but not enough to be a cure. Simply put, we must address the crisis before us, such as replenishing the Highway Trust Fund, finally reauthorizing investment in water resources, taking care of our school facilities and accelerating nuclear power sources. Build America 2010 will focus on our huge national challenge and reignite the spirit and strength that ensures our country is up to the challenge.

Fraternally Yours,

Terence M. O’Sullivan General President

Laborers’ International Union of North America

“Our view is there are no

targets in Build America

2010 - only potential allies

and heroes who will take on

this issue, either as incum-

bents or as candidates.”

Terence M. O’Sullivan

The Build America 2010 Campaign

The New England Laborers’ UPDATE • Fall Issue 2010 3


Today, working people are facing challenges that many of us have not encountered in our lifetime. Economic policies of the previous administration nearly bankrupted the United States. Over those eight years an unprecedented amount of wealth shifted to 1% of our population. Favorable tax policies for only the wealthy, cozy relationships between regulators and Wall Street, as well as a general lack of interest in the future of the working class of this country caused an historic uprising at the polls. Unfortunately we had already fallen into the deepest recession any one of us can remember. There was no choice but to try and stimulate the economy. The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act stopped the bleeding. The economy began to recover. Fear of this President’s success, however, has brought an unprecedented partisan fight to the halls of Congress virtually stopping progress. While the patient (working class America) lies on the table suffering - these policy doctors continue wrangling. I sub-mit that the cure for working class America is action! We need stimulus to support jobs. We were only too willing to use our own money to assist banks and large corpora-tions to save the economy, now we must be willing to use our own money to create the jobs that working class Americans need. There is no clear data supporting the notion that further stim-ulus will send the deficit soaring for the simple reason that when more Americans work more taxes are paid in and less services like unemployment are paid out. Economists on both sides are calling for stimulus. While Washington debates, LIUNA has been out in front de-manding action! As you heard from General President O’Sullivan, LIUNA has embarked upon the nationwide campaign, Build Amer-ica 2010 to shed light upon the urgent issue of the deterioration of our national infrastructure. Our country is at a crossroads, our infrastructure demands attention. Waiting will only worsen the situation, yet action will only help to bring thousands of jobs to the construction industry.

Veterans know that when you are in a battle you fight on all fronts. For one hundred years LIUNA has fought valiantly on all levels from Locals to District Councils to the Regions to the Inter-national to make sure that our members have opportunities for great jobs with fair wages and benefits. In our present situation, I have directed every New England elected leader to do whatever is needed in order to accomplish that goal. To their credit, your leadership has been at the doorstep of every state and national legislator, not just once, but many times, making sure that our message about good jobs is heard. We have expanded our successful “I Build America” campaign to include our “Build America 2010.” We also began to organize successfully in growing industries like green construction. LIUNA was the first to recognize the

possibilities for membership in areas like Weatherization and residential construc-tion. LIUNA has used every tool we have to identify patterns of growth and to help our contractors shift into those areas. For example, in this issue you will read about our intention to carve out a niche in higher education construction. By working with our employers we

have made great strides in stamping out inefficiency and waste. Fur-thermore, LIUNA’s Public Employee sector has helped initiate posi-tive change with union sponsored training programs to give voice to their ideas and also to upgrade members’ skills. We are leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to turn this economy and public policy in the right direction so that you, the LIUNA member, can take care of your families and your communi-ties. Tough times require tough action and there is no better union than LIUNA to deliver on that pledge.

Fraternally Yours,

Armand E. Sabitoni General Secretary-Treasurer and

New England Regional Manager Laborers’ International Union of North America

“Your leadership has been

at the doorstep of every state

and national legislator…

making sure that our message

about good jobs is heard.”

Armand E. Sabitoni

When the Going Gets ToughCount on the New England Laborers

The New England Laborers’ UPDATE • Fall Issue 20104


Hartford, Connecticut was the first site in the New England Region for LIUNA’s “Build America 2010” Campaign. The Connecticut Laborers’ District Council kicked off our transportation infrastructure awareness campaign

on Broad Street near the I-84 ramp in Hartford, CT. LIUNA’s Build America 2010 campaign is a mobilization effort to push the U.S. Senate to support jobs-creating legislation building our roads, bridges, water resources and schools. Speakers supporting the Laborers’ position on infrastructure investment at the Build America 2010 rally included: Charles LeConche, Business Manager, CT Laborers’ District Council; John Olsen, President, CT AFL-CIO; Tony Guerrera, CT State House Rep & Co-Chair, Transportation Committee; Steve Mikutel, CT State House Rep & Vice-Chair, Transportation Committee; Billy Ciotto from the office of U.S. Congressman John Larson; Frank Rowe from the Office of U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman; Ryan Drajewicz from the Office of U.S. Senator Chris Dodd and Ned Lamont, CT Gubernatorial Candidate.

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BUILD AMERICA2010 CAMPAIGN

ON THE COVER

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Edward DiRissio, one of the Rhode Island’s most respected labor leaders and retired Business Manager of Providence’s Local

271, passed away at the age of 79 after nearly 60 years of service to LIUNA. After serving his country in the Korean War, Mr. DiRissio joined Local 271, thus beginning a long and distin-guished career with the Union he loved so dearly. His first job was doing main-tenance work at the Narragansett Race Track in Rhode Island. He went on to serve as a steward on the construction of the Garden City Shopping Center in Cranston, Rhode Island. In 1963, he was nominated Re-cording Secretary for Local 271. Af-ter working with the M.A. Gammino Company for 11 years as a steward and foreman on the construction of Inter-states 95 and 295, Mr. DiRissio was ap-pointed by the late Arthur E. Coia as an instructor at the New England Laborers’ Training Academy in Hopkinton, Mas-sachusetts where he utilized his exper-tise to help his fellow Laborers not only in the classroom but also with hands-on instruction. In the late 1970s, he was a part of a team that conducted safety courses for supervisors at the Union Carbide Plant in Waterbury, Connecticut, and

the New Seabrook Power Plant in New Hampshire. In 1986, Mr. DiRissio’s talent and dedication to the Laborers’ Union was recognized as he was ap-pointed the LIUNA International Rep-resentative, serving the New England Region with pride.

In 1999, Mr. DiRissio attained the position of Business Manager and Secretary-Treasurer of Laborers’ Local 271, serving until his retirement. He was a recip-ient of the Arthur E. Coia Safety Award, and he also served as a Trustee on the New England Laborers’ Training Trust Fund, the

New England Laborers’ Labor-Man-agement Cooperation Trust, as well as the New England Laborers’ Health & Safety Fund. “Eddie DiRissio was the epitome of what a Laborer stands for, and his pride in our Union was evident in every-thing he accomplished. He was a man whose compassion and caring for his fel-low Laborers was inextinguishable, and he was a role model and true friend of mine and to us all in the New England Region. I will always remember his loy-alty, his friendship, and the major con-tributions he made in continuing the legacy of leadership of Laborers’ Local 271,” said LIUNA General Secretary-Treasurer and New England Regional Manager Armand E. Sabitoni. Besides Ann, his wife of 52 years, Mr. DiRissio leaves his two devoted children and four beautiful grandchil-dren who filled his life with the gifts of joy and love.

EdwardDiRissio

1930-2009

≈

Michael F. Sabitoni, Local 271 Business Manager and Pres-ident of the Rhode Island Building and Construction

Trades Council, joined various elected of-ficials and other guests for a groundbreak-ing ceremony to mark the start of con-struction for Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School’s new home in the Providence Jewelry District. Along with Mr. Sabitoni, the more than 400 attendees heard what a positive impact this project would mean from Brown University Presi-dent Ruth Simmons, Governor Donald Carcieri, Mayor David Cicilline and the Warren Alpert Medical School Dean Ed-ward Wing. The Alpert Medical School plan in-cludes a $45-million renovation that will transform the building into a modern glass structure featuring lecture halls and an anatomy lab, as well as case study and

seminar rooms. The design was created by Ellenz-weig Associates for the approximately 135,000 gross-square-foot proj-ect, which incor-porates the existing structure to meet the University’s commitment to sustainability and environmentally friendly practices. The Alpert Medical School is expected to gener-

ate $26.2 million of economic output for the state and create nearly 350 construc-tion jobs. During his address to the distin-guished guests, Mr. Sabitoni applauded the efforts of Brown University for continuing to stimulate and help grow the local econ-omy while utilizing local union trades-men and women on all of its construction projects, offering the highest-skilled and best-trained workers in the industry while creating a career path for Building Futures apprentices in the construction field. “I would like to commend Brown University for distinguishing itself among other institutions of higher learning for utilizing the talents of union labor, right here in Rhode Island. On this particular project, Brown will once again be imple-menting the Building Futures Program, which will ensure that 15% of the man-hours performed will be done by Provi-dence residents, many of which are minor-

ity workers. Upon successful completion of this program, these men and women will then have an opportunity to enter into a Building Trades Apprenticeship Program, which will offer them the opportunity to attain good, family-supporting jobs for many years to come,” said Mr. Sabitoni. The building will establish a central learning and practice facility for the next generation of doctors and will facilitate interaction among students, residents, fel-lows and faculty. The medical building will also allow the school to implement an academy system of learning, intended to enhance personal and formal education by grouping students into one of three acad-emies overseen by a faculty mentor. Mr. Sabitoni said in closing, “The Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council is proud to be a part of this exciting project. Brown University is

one of the top schools of medicine in the world, so it makes perfect sense that they would want the finest craftsmen available. We are committed to offering the profes-sional expertise they need to build a world-class center of learning.”


EdwardDiRissio

≈

Representatives of the Rhode Island Building Trades, the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, YouthBuild Providence and Building Futures with Michael Sabitoni (far right).

LABORERS GO IVY LEAGUE

Alpert Medical School schematics courtesy of http://med.brown.edu//newbuilding/

Rhode Island Laborers Focus onHigher Education Construction

LIUN

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A deep commitment to our fellow workers, our families and our communities has always been a

part of the life of a Laborer. This spring, Laborers from Local 327 in Maine were happy to assist in giving new life to a build-ing that many of them have known from the time they were children. The Camden Yarns Mill has been a part of Maine’s his-tory for nearly 250 years. Volunteers spent two days clearing out and salvaging machinery left in the mill for preservationists to archive. The mill is the new home of Museum L-A, an organization that celebrates the social, eco-nomic and personal history of the people

who came to live and work in Lewiston-Auburn. Exhibits within the museum will explore organized labor, the role of women in the workplace, child labor, changes in technology, immigration, culture and the community. Dave McKeone, Business Manager of Local 327, remembered his grandfather who once worked in the mill. “In muse-ums across the world you see the artifacts of kings and queens. It makes sense that here in America we honor working people, their life and accomplishments. This mu-seum will teach our children what it’s like to live and work in the industrial age.”

Preserving the legacy of Maine’s proud Labor History

Saving Our History in MaineGood Neighbors Give Back

The school district in which the New England Laborers’ / Cranston

Public Schools Construction Career Academy resides was about to to cut more than $1 million dollars to balance their proposed budget this spring, including over $130,000 cut from the sports program. The New England Laborers’/Cran-

ston Public Schools Construc-tion Career Academy Board of Directors generously agreed to reallocate $88,241 to the Cranston Public Schools for the purpose of reinstating the school sports that were cut due to slashed school budgets. The move by the Board of Direc-tors will help the city to rein-state high school tennis, indoor

track, golf, girls junior varsity field hockey and the girls coop-erative hockey teams. “We have a surplus be-cause we have worked hard to recruit new students and seek grants for our school. Offering sports programs at one school and losing them in the district just was not acceptable to Mr. Sabitoni, or the Charter School

Board. It is times like these when the New England Labor-ers step up to the plate,” said Michael A. Traficante, Chair-man of the NEL/CPS Board of Directors. Armand E. Sabitoni, General Secretary-Treasurer and New England Regional Manager of the Laborers’ In-ternational Union of North

New England Laborers’/Cranston Public Schools Construction Career Academy

Saves Sports in Cranston


America and co-founder of the school agrees. “Labor-manage-ment cooperation and com-mitment to our communities has always been a hallmark of our great union. As a parent and a former coach, I know the impact that sports programs have on young people. Soli-darity and the team concept is important, especially in times of great need. That is why we chose to become a district char-ter school and keep school dol-lars in Cranston. The Laborers’ Interna-tional Union of North America and all our local union’s across

this nation and Canada are in-volved in charitable works on a daily basis. Although many do not garner as much press coverage as reinstating sports, LIUNA is pleased to support charities and organizations like our charter school and vocational programs that help working families. I am very appreciative of the support and commitment of the city coun-cil, the school administration and the charter school board,” stated Mr. Sabitoni.

Armand E. Sabitoni, General Secretary-Treasurer & New England Regional Manager presents the check to Mayor Alan Fung & CPS Superintendent Peter Nero.

Connecticut RemembersOur Fallen Brothers & Sisters

On this year’s Workers Memorial Day, the Connecticut Laborers District Council, along with

the Connecticut AFL-CIO and affiliated unions, dedicated a permanent memo-rial to all Connecticut workers who have been injured or lost their lives on the job. The monument designed by Tyler Smith of Smith Edwards Architects was built by Building Trades members and apprentices. Working men and woman come to-gether in Hartford each year on April 28th, which is the date the Occupa-tional Safety and Health Administration was founded in 1970. This is an annual, international event that honors those who have been injured or killed on the job. The program began with a short ceremony and then concluded with a dedication at the new memorial in Bushnell Park. The inscription on the me-morial quotes Mother Jones, “Mourn for the Dead - Fight for the Living.”

“We began this effort over 20 years ago after the L’Ambiance Plaza collapse in 1987. Since then we’ve come a long way. We were successful at getting ‘life slab con-struction’ banned here in Con-necticut as a result of that accident, but construction is an inherently dangerous profession. This me-

morial reminds us that we have to remain

vigilant about our member’s health and safety on the job site,” noted Charles LeConche, Con-

necticut Labor-ers’ District Council

Business Manager. Work-ers Memorial Day was especially

solemn this year after the deaths and in-juries resulting from the fatal explosion at the Kleen Energy site in Middletown this past winter. The explosion killed 6 work-ers and injured 11. The names of those who had perished there were among those read during the dedication ceremony.

Top: Charles LeConche,CLDC Business Manager

Bottom: Bagpipers lead the solemn procession.

LIUNA GIVES BACK

RETI

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The Rhode Island Laborers’ Retiree Coun-cil recently conducted a swearing-in ceremony for its new officers during its

latest meeting at 410 South Main Street, Provi-dence, RI. The Retiree Council is comprised of delegates selected by each Local Union through-out the state, and works to increase the awareness of retirees’ issues and activities. It also works to increase the numbers of retirees within the state, keeping them involved and active in the Union they have served throughout their careers. “The retired members of our proud Union have kicked open the door for all of us here to-day. They laid the foundation for the benefits and advantages we currently enjoy, and they in-spire us to continue what they have started. I am honored to be here today among these proud and dedicated Laborers who have served the La-borers’ Union throughout their lives, and I com-mend them for their service which they continue today,” said LIUNA General Secretary-Treasurer and New England Regional Manager Armand E. Sabitoni.

Rhode Island Laborers’ Retiree Council Swears In Officers

As the search for totally renewable energy systems moves on, revamp-ing current systems to reduce

toxic emissions is in full swing. The coal powered Merrimack Station in Bow, New Hampshire run by PSNH (Public Service of New Hampshire, part of the Northeast Utilities System) has initiated such a proj-ect. Their Clean Air Project will drasti-cally reduce the emissions of both mercury and sulfur dioxide from the plant. The company hopes that this project will act as a bridge from older energy sources until newer alternative sources can be put on-line. This system revamp is good news for the New England Laborers, since it is pro-jected that there will be over 300 construc-tion jobs (all trades) here at the plant for the next three years.

This system relies on wet flue gas de-sulfurization technology otherwise known as a “scrubber” system. Simply put, the scrubber process essentially filters the gas

through limestone slurry which absorbs sulfur dioxide and reacts to form a solid-gypsum. Mercury is then removed in a new state-of-the-art waste water treatment

facility. When the project is completed, this plant is expected to be one of the cleanest coal plants in the nation. Currently, construction continues on the concrete stack where steam emissions exit after the scrubber process. Halfway completed, tradesmen are working twenty-four hour shifts Monday through Friday to complete the 445 foot tall structure. Dennis Robertson, Business Man-ager of Local 665 is also happy to have his members working on the job. “Projects like this are the perfect match for New Hampshire’s Construction Craft Laborers. We have been training in “green technolo-gies” for over a decade now. It is especially gratifying for all of us to be working on a project that will clean up the environment in our own community,” said Robertson.

‘Green’ Scrubber Technology at Merrimack Station puts New Hampshire Laborers to Work

RI Laborers’ Retiree Council Board

Armand E. Sabitoni swears in officers.


LIUNA GOES GREEN

The Weatherization Model Home - NELTA Training Academy, Pomfret, CT

NELTA Conducts First LIUNA Weatherization Training Program

Students have the opportunity to learn weatherization techniques on a model home built on the site of the Pomfret, CT NELTA Training Academy.

On August 2, 2010, the New England Labor-ers’ Training Academy (NELTA) conducted the first LIUNA Weatherization Training Program (LIUNA-WTP) for ten trainees

in Pomfret, CT. Individuals from Youth Build Boston (YBB) and Building Futures in Providence participated in a two week residential weatherization and energy ef-ficiency training program, utilizing LIUNA’s nationally recognized curriculum. This class marks the first to graduate in the New England Region with more classes to come. A leader in weatherization training, the New England Region is ex-cited about key industry and contractor partnerships go-ing forward that are leading to green job opportunities for our members.

Armand E. Sabitoni addresses Laborers in Pomfret, CT.


WHA

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A Bright Future for LIUNA Training New Initiatives for a New Generation

The New England Laborers’ Training Academy located in Hopkinton, MA is

in high demand, consistently updating members’ skills to make them more marketable. Contractors frequently call upon NELTA to certify and educate members in a variety of new field related topics. This spring, NELTA proudly hosted its first North East Gas Pipeline Operator Qualification (OQ) Training Program in which OQ test-ing was administered for both NELTA instructors as well as members of Connecticut Lo-cals 146, 455 and 547. North East Gas is the exclusive test-ing agency for all gas pipeline work east of the Mississippi River. Instructors and union members spent an entire week in both classroom and job-simulated training, attaining the skills necessary to perform work on pipelines. Not only do NELTA in-structors have the necessary knowledge and experience to assist future Laborers in prepar-ing for these rigorous exams, but they also have a strong, positive relationship with the

folks at North East Gas. NELTA’s sprawling, state of the art facility in Hopkinton continues to play a significant role in showcasing LIUNA’s

comprehensive programs and training capabilities. As a recognized educational leader throughout Massachusetts, contractors, along with state,

local, political and educational leaders have shown a great in-terest in NELTA’s course offer-ings. Subsequently, NELTA has hosted numerous tours, meetings and conferences, showing the strength of our entire training program. So it’s no surprise that NELTA continues to be an important resource for some of the state’s largest departments, which in-clude the Massachusetts De-partments of Labor, Education and Transportation. NELTA’s newest offer-ings, the Green Construction Awareness program and the Alternative Energy/Weather-ization courses, have also gar-nered high interest. In the spring of 2010, NELTA trained numerous ap-prentices from the Medford Vocational Technical High School and three different community based organiza-tions. NELTA is also proud to announce that their non-traditional class of apprentices, comprised of women from the Boston area who complete the General Construction Course, will go to work for LIUNA sig-natory contractor Aggregate Industries.

NELTA Instructor Tim Tracy teaches Mason Tending.

Tom Nunziata from the Laborers’ Training & Education Fund instructs workers employed by Advantage Weatherization from Quincy, MA.

NELTA classes include OSHA 10, Flagging, OSHA 30, Rough Ter-rain Forklift Training,

Introduction to Demolition, Haz-ardous Waste Worker Training, Introduction to Pipe Laying, and Construction Math to name just a few. Also, numerous contrac-tor requested training courses have taken place. Especially in the areas of Lead Renovator, Lead Awareness and CPR/FA as well as our traditional OSHA 10 Hour course, an essential training component mandated in several New England states. LIUNA’s breakthrough, national training program in Weatherization has certainly proven successful. With our Pomfret site launching the first LIUNA Train-the-Trainer initiative

in the nation last year. This year train-ing in Weatherization is in full swing.

The final training plan has been completed for a two week Weatheriza-

tion Installer/Technician program to be held for all

members of the non-profit

Building Fu-tures organiza-

tion in Providence, Rhode Island. Build-

ing Futures has re-ceived federal stimulus

funds to support job train-ing opportunities in the en-

ergy efficiency and renewable electric power sectors. Thanks to

a successful collaboration between NELTA, Local 271 and our partners at

Building Futures, new LIUNA members will work for signatory contractors in the area of weatherization throughout

Rhode Island. Our Pomfret site also served as the host this year for a LIUNA Training

& Education Fund Train-the-Trainer in Hazardous Waste program. More than a dozen instructors from around the LIUNA training network received training in this National Institute


Heavy and highway con-struction, and the new Massachusetts flagging certification are high-

lighted in this particular program. NELTA’s summer schedule is packed with numerous training classes like this. Many of this year’s courses have been coordinated through various partnerships including the University of Rhode Island, Merrimack College, various community based organiza-tions and the AFL-CIO. Many class-es continue to be requested by our contractors, which gives NELTA the ability to personalize and tailor pro-grams to specialized needs. This has proven to be extremely effective, giving NELTA Instructors the freedom to be innovative and cre-ative, resulting in quality instruction for our members. Furthermore, by tailoring the training to fit the con-tractor’s needs, more and more members are coming to our facility for additional training. There are so many of our Laborers who are taking full advantage of all that NELTA has to offer, to further advance their skills and careers in the construction industry.

NELTA classes include OSHA 10, Flagging, OSHA 30, Rough Ter-rain Forklift Training,

Introduction to Demolition, Haz-ardous Waste Worker Training, Introduction to Pipe Laying, and Construction Math to name just a few. Also, numerous contrac-tor requested training courses have taken place. Especially in the areas of Lead Renovator, Lead Awareness and CPR/FA as well as our traditional OSHA 10 Hour course, an essential training component mandated in several New England states. LIUNA’s breakthrough, national training program in Weatherization has certainly proven successful. With our Pomfret site launching the first LIUNA Train-the-Trainer initiative

in the nation last year. This year train-ing in Weatherization is in full swing.

The final training plan has been completed for a two week Weatheriza-

tion Installer/Technician program to be held for all

members of the non-profit

Building Fu-tures organiza-

tion in Providence, Rhode Island. Build-

ing Futures has re-ceived federal stimulus

funds to support job train-ing opportunities in the en-

ergy efficiency and renewable electric power sectors. Thanks to

a successful collaboration between NELTA, Local 271 and our partners at

Building Futures, new LIUNA members will work for signatory contractors in the area of weatherization throughout

Rhode Island. Our Pomfret site also served as the host this year for a LIUNA Training

& Education Fund Train-the-Trainer in Hazardous Waste program. More than a dozen instructors from around the LIUNA training network received training in this National Institute

of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) grant ini-tiative, while taking full advan-tage of the Academy’s hands-on areas located at our site. The week long training initiative proved to be highly successful in honing the instructors’ knowledge in the most current, cutting edge skills in the Hazardous Waste Industry.

Work Zone Safety Training continues to be in very high de-mand for our Laborer apprentic-es and journey workers alike. In fact more than a thousand mem-bers to date have been trained as either Work Zone Traffic Control Technicians or Work Zone Traf-fic Supervisor Technicians. This successful program continues to be part of our General Construc-tion II course for all apprentices so each will be trained in this es-sential curriculum.

>The New England Laborers’ Training Academy in Pomfret, Connecticut has been brimming with an abundance of classroom and job sim-ulated activity. In addition to the Academy’s

monthly staple of environmental refresher courses, a multitude of construction upgrade classes have also been in full swing.

WHAT’S GOING ON

AT THE ACADEMIES


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Laborers Train All Female Classin Four-Week Construction Program

The New Eng-land Laborers’ Training Acad-emy in Hop-

kinton, Massachusetts recently hosted eleven

female trainees from the Boston area as they participated in an intense four-week general con-struction program.

The trainees came to the Laborers’

Union from various community-based pro-

grams such as the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontradi-tional Occupa-tions program ( W A N T O ) , the Youth Build program, and

the Helmets to Hardhats program which places mili-tary veterans in quality con-struction jobs throughout the country. During this first ever four-week program in Hop-kinton, geared solely towards females, the trainees per-formed job activities such as pipe-laying, OSHA 10-hour training, CPR certification, flagging, and of course, gen-eral construction training. Signatory contractor Aggre-gate Industries of Peabody, Massachusetts worked to-gether with NELTA to bring this important initiative to fruition. “For the last few years, we have recognized a defi-nite need in the industry, and numerous requests have

been made from contractors in the area, for females who possess the skills needed to perform quality work in the construction field. These trainees are the best of the best, and have mastered every skill that they have under-taken during this program. They will certainly be assets to the Laborers’ rank and file and any signatory contractor who may hire them,” said Michael Capaldi, Appren-ticeship Coordinator, New England Laborers’ Appren-ticeship Programs.

Female apprentices learn line and grade methods from NELTA Instructor Robert Malkasian.

It was not long ago that Terry J. Camara, now a proud member of La-borers’ Local 609 and a

Laborer Instructor at Medford Vocational Technical High School, was without a job and down on his luck. A friend in-troduced him to LIUNA. “He told me the Laborers’ would give me the opportunity to earn a good living, receive training and make a better life for my family,” stated Camara. In October of 2002, Ca-mara became a proud member of Local 609 in Framingham

and began his first union job with FRACO Products, a union hydraulic scaffolding company in Worcester. Next, he went on to work for Resto-ration Preservation Masonry in Northborough. “I must admit I was a little hesitant,” said Camara, “be-cause I didn’t have too much experience in that field. But my fears eased when my busi-ness manager said the New England La-borers’ Train-ing Center would provide me with all the training I would need. I took full advan-tage of the classes and before long I became a Labor Fore-man.” Three years later, Ca-mara went back to the Labor-ers’ Training Center and took numerous classes including

Construction Math, Scaffold User/Builder, Hoisting and Rigging and Blue Print Read-ing. He also became OSHA 10 certified. “My goal was to become a Laborer Instructor. I knew I wanted to teach young people

all about the Construction Technology Industry and the Laborers’ Union,” ex-plained Ca-mara. Next, he worked with Grande Masonry of Prov idence as a mason tender work-ing on the Natick Mall

Expansion Project. The hard working Laborer then landed a coveted stewardship posi-tion on a project with Marois Brothers, Inc. Seven months later, Camara’s goal became a reality when he was chosen to

be a Laborer Instructor at the Medford Voca-tional Technical High School. A year after that, he was instrumental in attaining Chapter 74 approval for the Con-struction Craft Labor-ers’ (CCL) program and became the very first Laborer Instructor to attain Chapter 74 Certifica-tion. This means he had to take all the state mandated tests necessary to become a certified Massachusetts schoolteacher – no easy feat. Camara looks forward to getting up every morning and teaching in the classroom. “The Laborers’ have provided me with a safe work place, fam-ily supporting wages, benefits, training and education. They gave me the opportunity to purchase a home and provide for both my son and myself. I love my career as a Laborer Instructor and wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Profile of a Laborer - NELTA Instructor, Local 609, MassachusettsTERRY CAMARA


WHAT’S GOING ON

AT THE ACADEMIES

If you are moving, let us know so that your copy of the New England Laborers’ UPDATE Magazine will follow you to your new address. Please send the in-

formation to your Local Union business office. If you are not a LIUNA Member, please forward it to:

NEW ENGLAND LABORERS’ PUBLIC RELATIONS / MEDIA DEPARTMENT410 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903

NAME _________________________________ LOCAL UNION # _______

CITY ___________________________ STATE _____ ZIP _________

MOVING?

“My goal was to

become a Laborer

Instructor… I want-

ed to teach young

people all about the

Construction Tech-

nology Industry

and the Laborers’

Union.”

BU

SINE

SS M

ANAG

ER

PROF

ILE


Mr. Joseph Bon-figlio has taken the reins as Business Man-ager of the Massachusetts

Laborers’ District Council, overseeing the activities and responsibilities of the District Council, which includes 20 local unions throughout the state. Mr. Bonfiglio joined the ranks of Laborers’ Local 151 in Cambridge in 1979, and served as a Laborer in the field during the early part of his career. He graduated from Boston University in 1985, which is the same year he was elected to the position of Local 151 Secretary-Treasurer. Four years later,

he earned a Masters of Business Ad-ministration (MBA) degree from Bos-ton University. In 1997, Mr. Bonfiglio was elected Local 151 Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer, a position he held until he attained the office of MLDC Business Manager in 2009. He also continues to hold additional positions with the Massachusetts Laborers’ Ben-efit Funds. He currently serves as the Co-Chairman of the Annuity Fund and Health & Welfare Funds. Mr. Bonfiglio is also a Co-Chairman of the Foundation for Fair Contracting in Massachusetts and a member of the Industrial Accident Board Nominating Panel. “As the economy continues to struggle, the District Council intends to continue pushing hard on the jobs agenda with public officials and private developers. In addition to promoting aggressive infrastructure improvement programs, the District Council’s push will remain focused on expanded gam-ing, off shore wind farms and public-private developments. I’m certain our efforts in these areas will help lay the ground work necessary to produce greater employment opportunities for our members throughout Massachu-setts and Northern New England,” said Mr. Bonfiglio.

“The District Council intends

to continue pushing hard on

the jobs agenda....promoting

aggressive infrastructure im-

provement...gaming, offshore

windfarms and public private

developments....producing

greater job opportunities for

our members.”

JOSEPH BONFIGLIO MLDC Business Manager

Joseph Bonfiglio swears in the Local 609 Executive Board.

MILESTONES

Retired Business Manager Local 976, New HampshirePAUL ROUILLARD

Joining the Laborers Union in 1979, Paul Rouillard served as a devout Laborer in the field for Perini Power Constructors at the Seabrook Sta-tion. Following his service to Perini, he worked on oil-to-coal conversion at the Schiller Plant for more than two years. After working with a refrac-tory contractor and for a fireproofing company, Mr. Rouillard returned to Seabrook in 1997, and in April of that year, he first became a member of the Local 976 Executive Board.

He was appointed Field Represen-tative/Organizer in 2002. Mr. Rouil-lard was elected to the Business Manager position in 2004. He worked on many initiatives, including the push to increase market share for Laborers in the area. As always, the entire New England Region thanks Mr. Rouillard for his many years of service and dedication to the Laborers’ International Union of North America.

New Business Manager Local 976, New HampshireTHOMAS HERSEY

Thomas Hersey joined Local 976 in June, 1978 after serving four years in the United States Marine Corps. Working as a member of 976 pro-vided him with the opportunity to put himself through the University of New Hampshire and Law School (FPLC ‘87). In 2002, he decided to retire practicing law and transferred to Local 261 in San Francisco, California. In May 2003, Mr. Hersey transferred back into local 976, and was elected President of 976 in May of 2008. He left the field in November of

2009 to assume the position of Business Agent, and then Business Manager upon Paul Rouillard’s retirement in February of 2010. “I have always been proud to be a union man and more importantly, a Laborer. The feel-ing of empowerment I felt when I joined the Laborers thirty years ago never left me, and I hope as Business Manager to protect, preserve, and spread that empowerment throughout Local 976’s jurisdiction,” said Mr. Hersey.

Retired Business Manager Local 327, MaineGILBERT LAPIERRE

Gilbert LaPierre has recently retired as Busi-ness Manager of Augusta, Maine’s Local 327 after serving in that capacity for five years. Like many other Business Managers in the Laborers’ Union, Gilbert LaPierre served in the field as a general Laborer, a foreman, and steward before achieving the position of Business Manager. He followed in the footsteps of his uncles and joined Local 327 in 1974, and worked on projects such as Interna-

tional Paper in Jay, Maine and as a Safety Coordi-nator for HP Cummings in Lewiston, Maine. He also served as Field Representative and Organizer before being appointed Business Manager of Lo-cal 327 in August of 2004. We thank Mr. LaPi-erre for his many years of service to the Laborers’ International Union of North America.

New Business Manager Local 327, MaineDAVID MCKEONE

Taking over the reins in November of 2009 at Local 327 after Gilbert LaPierre’s retirement is yet another longtime Laborer. David McKeone comes from a long family of Union supporters. In 1993, he joined Local 327 and began doing masonry work in the field, working for a number of years across Northern New England. His career began to flourish when he be-came a steward on the Maine Yankee Atomic Power Plant decommissioning project. As his experience grew, so did his leadership qualities, and the members of Local 327 nominated Dave to the Executive Board for the first time in 2001.

Known as a Laborer who puts his fellow Labor-ers ahead of himself, Dave was the go-to guy to become the local’s Field Representative and Orga-nizer back in 2008. Last November, as Gilbert LaPierre prepared to retire, Dave was appointed to serve the remain-der of the Business Manager’s term. Today, he is working hard to make sure that every construc-tion opportunity in the jurisdiction of Local 327 is an opportunity for his members to do well and take care of their families.


JOSEPH BONFIGLIO MLDC Business Manager

MAK

ING

STRI

DES

IN

APP

RENT

ICES

HIP


The New England Laborers’ Labor-Management Cooperation Trust (NELLMCT) recently host-ed a one-day conference entitled “Apprentice-ship in New England 2010” at the Foxwoods

Resort and Casino. With over 200 participants in atten-dance, LIUNA Business Managers from throughout the New England Region and representatives from various signatory contractors had an opportunity to discuss issues concerning apprenticeship training and job opportunities both on a local and federal level. Other issues discussed by the participants included a comprehensive look at LIUNA’s New England Apprenticeship Program, as well as a state-to-state comparison of apprenticeship laws, regulations, and public policy. LIUNA General Secretary-Treasurer and New England Regional Manager Armand E. Sabitoni offered welcoming remarks to the attendants and com-mented on the state of apprenticeship training in the New England Region.

“We’ve worked hard to become an apprenticeable craft back in 1994 and we continue to move forward with the best training programs available in the industry. Our signatory contractors, many of whom are here to-day, continue to embrace our apprenticeship programs as our young Laborers enter the workforce with the hope of building a career in the construction industry. The non-union sector continues to fight us relentlessly on this and we need to continue to promote our quality programs and prove that the Laborers’ Union has built the appren-ticeship model for others to follow,” said LIUNA General Secretary-Treasurer and New England Regional Manager Armand E. Sabitoni.

New England HostsApprenticeship Conference

A panel of experts discuss apprenticeship issues.


Just listening to the news today can make you cringe when you see workplace accidents that could have been avoided. The Deepwater Oil spill and the West Virginia mine accident appear to be another example of lives lost that might have been avoided if only management had lis-tened to employees’ concerns. That is one reason I am so thankful to be a part of the Laborers’ International Union of North America. LIUNA’s progressive stance on workplace health and safety is second to none. When we developed the Labor-ers’ Training and Education Fund, the Laborers’ Health and Safety Fund of North America, and the Laborers and Employers Coopera-tion Trust we knew that the only way to address the complex issues of worksite safety could only bear fruit if labor and management were at the table together. These collaborations have proven to be successful in preventing the kind of accidents you hear about in non-union environments. It has also been successful in bringing more stakeholders to the table like OSHA, NIOSH, EPA, DOT and more. Frank dialogue and assistance from the Health and Safety Fund has helped many a contractor solve safety problems with a minimum of disruption. LIUNA’s Train-ing and Education Funds have incorporated the concerns of the regulatory agencies as well as contractors, employ-ers and members in developing new training modules that keep workers in every constituency safe and aware. In ad-dition, the Laborers’ Employers

Cooperation and Education Trust has been on the forefront of legislation that seeks to protect workers in all our diverse constituencies. Our Tri-Fund teams including our management members endeavor to listen to the concerns of Laborers in the field and find ways to reduce health risks. This kind of joint problem solving benefits all of us. Healthy and safe employees are productive employees, health care costs and turnover are reduced and safe workplaces also mean insur-ance costs are also lowered.

Political wrangling and lax regulatory enforcement of the past has meant that each and every one of us has had to work harder to make sure that standards of worker safety are kept at a rigorous level. Fortunately the tide is turning and our government is once again seri-ous about enforcing laws that pro-tect working people. LIUNA is working on all fronts to make sure that you come home to your family every night

safe and sound. There is no greater goal than working towards dignity, respect, fair treatment and the safety of LIUNA’s members and their families.

Fraternally Yours,

Vere O. HaynesVice President

Laborers’ International Union of North America

“There is no greater goal than

working towards dignity, re-

spect, fair treatment and the

safety of LIUNA’s members

and their families…

Healthy and safe employees

are productive employees…”

Vere O. Haynes

Safety on the Job isMore Important than Ever


HEALTH & SAFETY NEWS

The Truth About Hearing Protection


SOUND ADVICEProtect Your Ears in a Noisy Work Enviroment

Your job shouldn’t cause you to lose your hearing. Yet for many con-struction workers, years of exposure to excessive noises on the job has lead to permanent hearing loss. The National Institute for Occu-pational Safety and Health (NIOSH) classifies work-related hearing loss as one of the most common occupational diseases in the United States. Accord-ing to NIOSH, 30 million Americans are exposed to hazardous noise at work. This has resulted in a permanent hear-ing loss for about 10 million workers. If you are one of these people, you don’t have to suffer hearing loss. In many in-stances, equipment can be modified to eliminate or reduce noise or precautions can be taken to avoid being around sounds over 85 - 90 decibels. When these engineering and ad-ministrative controls can’t eliminate your exposure to hazardous noise, you can wear hearing protection devices such as ear plugs or ear muffs.

Now hear this...

Sound is measured in decibels. A normal conversation takes place at about 60 decibels. Background noise in construction is about 85 decibels. The Occupational Safety and Health Ad-ministration (OSHA) requires employ-ers to develop and implement a noise monitoring program when any employ-ee’s exposure may equal or exceed an 8-hour average exposure of 90 decibels in the construction industry. Many tasks in construction exceed OSHA’s 90 deci-

bel exposure limit. For instance, a con-crete joint cutter’s noise level is about 100 decibels, a pneumatic chip hammer noise measures about 110 decibels, and bulldozers and cranes range from 90 to 96 decibels.

Muffle the roar

When workers are exposed to noise levels above the permissible expo-sure limit (PEL) and engineering con-trols have not yet eliminated hazardous noise, OSHA requires employers to provide hearing protectors and ensure workers wear them.

Some types of hearing protection include:

• Single-use earplugs are often made of foam. They are self-forming and, when properly inserted, they work as well as most molded earplugs. • Pre-formed or molded ear-plugs must be individually fitted by a professional and can be disposable or reusable. Reusable plugs should be cleaned after each use.

• Earmuffs require a perfect seal around the ear. Glasses, facial hair, long hair or facial movements such as chew-ing may reduce the protective value of earmuffs. Keep in mind that not every type of hearing protection is useful for every type of noise. Disposable foam earplugs may be fine for some noise exposure while earmuff-type protection may be suitable for another. How does damage occur?

A short, intense sound, an explo-sion for example, may cause immediate hearing loss. But usually hearing loss occurs gradually after prolonged expo-sure to loud noise. Loud noises damage the delicate hair cells in the inner ear. As noise levels increase, the tiny cilia at the top of the hair cells can be injured and entire groups of hair cells can even be torn away. Hair cells don’t repair them-selves. So when enough hair cells are damaged, a hearing loss results. It may occur so gradually you may not even re-alize you are losing your hearing. Over


time, sounds may simply become muffled or distorted. Except in very rare cases, there is no pain associated with hearing loss. What does occur is a progressive loss of communication, socialization, and re-sponsiveness to the environment.

To see if you are in an environ-ment that could cause hearing loss, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Is the noise at my workplace so loud that I have to raise my voice signifi-cantly for someone an arm’s length away to hear me?

2. When I leave work and am in a quieter environment, do my ears feel plugged? Or do I hear a mild ringing or whooshing noise that goes away after an hour or two?

If you answer yes to either of these questions, take some sound advice: Get your hearing tested and protect your ears. Hearing tests are available to all Laborers and their dependent family members at the New England Laborers’ Health and Safety Fund’s health fairs held in the fall. The schedule is listed on the back cover of this issue.

Diabetes - A Growing Epidemic

Diabetes, one of the leading causes of death in America, is a disease that affects the amount of insulin and sugar

in your body. During the last 15 years, the number of people in the United States with diagnosed diabetes has more than doubled, reaching almost 18 million with an additional 6 million people unaware that they have the disease. On top of these figures, there are 57 million people with prediabetes (about 1 in 5 Americans) who are likely to develop the disease if they do not alter their living habits. Last year, the total economic cost of diabetes in the United States was esti-

mated to be $174 billion. One third of this figure was attributed to work related costs such as employee ab-senteeism, reduced produc-tivity, and disease-related unemployment. Addition-ally, diabetes accounted for 15 million missed work days and 120 million re-duced productivity days. There are two major types of diabetes - type 1

and type 2. People with type 1 diabetes, commonly referred to as juvenile onset diabetes, produce virtually no insulin. To survive, they must have insulin delivered by injection or a pump. This form of dia-betes usually strikes children and young adults. There is no known way to prevent type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, frequently referred to as adult onset diabetes, is the most com-mon form of the disease and accounts for over 90% of all diagnosed cases of diabe-tes. It usually begins as insulin resistance, a disorder in which the cells do not use insulin properly. As the need for insulin

rises, the pancreas gradually loses its ability to produce it. Type 2 diabetes is associated with obesity, physical inactivity, family history of diabetes, older age, history of gestational diabetes (pregnancy), impaired glucose metabolism, and race/ethnicity. Prediabetes is a condition in which individuals have blood glucose levels high-er than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. People with predia-betes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. If people with diabetes do not prop-erly control their blood sugar levels, serious complications including heart disease, kid-ney failure, blindness, lower-limb amputa-tions, and nerve damage may develop. The good news is that studies have shown that people with prediabetes who lose weight and increase their physical ac-tivity, can prevent or delay diabetes and return their blood glucose levels to normal in almost 60 percent of cases. By reducing body weight by 10 percent, performing 30-60 minutes of moderate exercise daily, and eating a proper diet, 33 million people can be helped.

HEALTH & SAFETY NEWS

Fall Hazards in Construction


In 2008, the Bureau of Labor Sta-tistics (BLS) reported that 969 construction workers died on the job, with 34 percent of those fa-

talities resulting from falls. These 330 deaths classify falls as the leading cause of worker fatalities in construction. Any walking/working surface could be a potential fall hazard. The Occupation-al Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that an unprotected side or edge 6 feet or more above a lower level should be protected through the use of a guardrail system, safety net system, or personal fall arrest system. For scaffolds, fall protection is required when an employee is more than 10 feet above a lower level.

The 4 Leading Causes of Death and Injuries from Falls in Construction:

1. ROOFS (121 FATALITIES): Unprotected sides and edges are fre-quently cited serious OSHA violations.

2. LADDERS (116 FATALITIES):Factors leading to falls include over-reaching, slipping on rungs, defective equipment, improper ladder selection, unsecured ladders, and ladders not ex-tending 3 feet above the landing of an upper level.

3. FALLS ON THE SAME LEVEL (84 FATALITIES): A floor or walkway or against an object such as rebar. 4. SCAFFOLDS (68 FATALITIES):According to the Bureau of Labor Sta-tistics, 72 percent of workers injured in scaffold accidents attributed the ac-cident either to the planking or support giving way, or to the employee slipping

or being struck by a falling object. Oth-er factors include lack of fall protection and use of aerial lifts without harnesses and lanyards.

Fall Protection Tips: • Identify all potential tripping and fall hazards before work starts.

• Look for fall hazards such as unpro-tected floor openings/edges, shafts, sky-lights, stairwells, and roof openings.

• Inspect fall protection equipment for defects before use.

• Select, wear, and use fall protection equipment appropriate for the task.

• Secure and stabilize all ladders before climbing them.

• Never stand on the top or the top step of a step ladder or the top three rungs of a straight ladder.

• Make sure ladders extend 3 feet above the landing of an upper level.

• Use handrails when going up or down stairs.

• Practice good housekeeping. Keep cords, welding leads, air hoses, and tools out of walkways or adjacent work areas.


Top 10 Healthy Foods on a Budget

With the economy still on shaky ground, more and more Americans are looking for ways to cut back on expenses. Food takes a big slice out of most household budgets. The foods we typically think of as the healthi-est are often the costliest too. As people continue to cut back in all ar-

eas of spending, you may be wondering, are there foods that are both affordable and healthy?

Here are the top 10 foods in the cheap and healthy category:

1) Beans: A good source of pro-tein, beans are also high in fiber, vitamins and minerals. Beans are versatile too. Check online for recipes; you’ll find a treasure trove of tasty and inexpensive main course choices.

2) Canned tuna (solid white albacore or chunk light in wa-ter with no salt added): Tuna is economical and low in saturated fat and sodium. It is also a good source of vitamins A, B6, and B12, and a very good source of protein, niacin, and selenium.

3) Peanut butter: The old stand-by is an inexpensive and healthy staple that can be used in sand-wiches, stews, and desserts.

4) 100% whole-grain bread: The nutritious substitute for white bread is low-fat, high-fi-ber, and works well with peanut butter, tuna, or on its own.

5) Broccoli: The king of all veg-etables, broccoli is loaded with vitamins and antioxidants. It’s a bargain that can be eaten as a side dish or added to pasta, stir fries, and casseroles.

6) Sweet potatoes: A wonderful source of fiber, vitamins A and C, these vegetables can be add-ed to stews and casseroles for a sweet punch.

7) Potatoes: Many people think potatoes are off-limits for diet-ers. In fact, they are a power-house of vitamin C and potas-sium, and they are lowfat.

8) Frozen spinach: Use this high-nutrient vegetable in om-elets, casseroles, soups, and as a side dish.

9) Olive oil: For salads and sautéing, olive oil is the winner with its heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fat. While some brands are high priced, the extra virgin store brand is usually the best value.

10) Tea: All forms of tea have been linked to good health. Green tea is the healthiest, and is now readily available in popu-lar brands.

**As an added bonus, most of the top 10 healthy foods are also low calorie. As you are tightening your purse strings, you may also tighten your belt a few notches!

New England Laborers’Labor-Management Cooperation Trust226 South Main StreetProvidence, RI 02903-2990

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