After an intensive interview process, the Directors of the Scholarship Fund have selected the winners of the 2008 Local 39 Educational Scholarships. The winners are Daniella Ciappara and Lynn Rivers.

Before I tell you a little about the winners, let me say a few words about all the scholarship applicants. All the applicants are winners. They are looking to extend their educations and they took the time to tell us about themselves through the application process. I congratulate them on their efforts and wish them success.

As for this year’s winners, they are excellence personified.

Daniella Ciappara is the daughter of Brian Ciappara. Brian is a Chief Engineer for the City and County of San Francisco at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Ms. Ciappara attends Mercy High School in Burlingame and maintains a 4.5 grade point average. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. Along with her full-load of school work, she somehow has the time to tutor a middle school student in math, volunteer for political campaigns and participate in activities at the Mater Dolorosa Church in South San Francisco. Ms. Ciappara has applied at a number of colleges, plans to major in Business and hopes to receive her Master’s Degree in Business.

Lynn Rivers attends Fortuna Union High School in Fortuna and has a GPA of 4.0. She is on the Track and Field team and is a cheerleader. Ms. Rivers is a member of the National Honor Society and the California Scholarship Federation. Her extra-curricular activities include: Big Brothers/Big Sisters, teaching Sunday School at Hydesville Community Church and Chair of her school blood drives. Her father, Richard Rivers, is a Stationary Engineer for the State of California – Unit 13 at the High Rock Conservation Camp in Weott, CA.

Both of the young ladies showed poise and knowledge beyond their years during the interviews. It will be my pleasure to formally present them with our scholarships at the Apprentice Graduation and Dinner on March 15, 2008 at the Marriott Hotel in San Francisco.

During the last several weeks, we have held jobsite informational meetings with regard to the changes in the Local 39 Pension Plan. These meetings, along with District Meetings in January and February have proven to be an ideal forum to answer the many questions all of you have on the pension changes. At most of these meetings, the Trustees of the Pension Plan, Bart Florence and/or myself, were present to explain the changes and field questions.

Although the meetings were beneficial, many of you asked questions specific to your retirement plans and circumstances. We were not able to provide all of you with those calculations.

I have decided to provide all of you a chance to receive, in person, your retirement calculations based on the recent changes that were made.

I have instructed the pension plan professionals at Associated Third Party Administrators (ATPA) to schedule a series of pension plan calculation meetings throughout Local 39’s jurisdiction to answer your questions and supply you the information you need to plan for your retirement. These meetings will be scheduled in April after the annual pension statements are mailed to your house.

Brother Florence and/or I will attend as many of these meetings as possible. I urge each of you to attend and receive up to date retirement calculations along with answers to any questions you may have.

Finally, I have hired two new Business Representatives and adjusted the assignments of several staff members.

I took these actions for a couple of reasons.

First, some areas of the Local are growing faster than others. This means that some Business Representatives needed relief in their assignments and others had the ability to provide that relief and assistance.

Second, we have some Business Representatives who are planning to retire. The changes I have made will insure a smooth transition.

By the time you receive this edition of Local 39 News, Lynn Long, a longtime employee of Local 39, will be finishing up her career with the Local. Lynn is retiring on April 1, 2008.

Sister Long has been an exceptional Business Representative, colleague and friend. The Union and the Members she has represented so admirably over the years will miss her greatly.

I know you join me in wishing Lynn and her husband John a long and healthy retirement.