Volume 61 No. 1 265 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10011 (212) 741-8282 Winter 2013

Queens Long Island Medical Group SettlesWage & Hour Suit for $2.45 Million

wage and hour lawsuit comprised of mem-bers of Local 153 and other unions againstthe Queens Long Island Medical Group has

been settled for $2.45 million dollars! It is one of thelargest wage and hour settlements in memory, and itis awaiting expected approval by Judge William S.Kuntz, Eastern Federal District Court of New York. Queens Long Island Medical Group has 19 med-

ical offices in Queens, Nassau County, and SuffolkCounty. The Group has approximately 1,100employees.The case was initiated by and aggressively pur-

sued by Lee Shalov of McLaughlin & Stern and LouisGinsberg of Louis Ginsberg Law Offices, prominentNew York City employment class action law firms.The lawsuit was filed on July 26, 2011 in federal court,seeking to represent workers who alleged numerousviolations of labor laws, including that the QueensLong Island Medical Group had not paid them forall of their work done before and after their shiftsand during their lunch breaks. Class action members who decided to participate

in the settlement will receive a share of the settle-ment fund. Each class member will receive a settle-ment notice describing the settlement formula. “Local 153 bargaining unit members, their shop

stewards, and even retirees were active in assistingplaintiff’s counsel in prosecuting the wage and hourclass action lawsuit,” said Seth Goldstein, Local 153Business Representative. Local 153 shop stewards for the Queens Long

Island Medical Group include: Jean Castrogiovanni,(Chief Steward and Local 153 Executive Board mem-ber), John Luongo, Sophia Goodin, Diania Brooks,Rikki Roseberg, Marjorie Delany, Alice Mugno, andCarol Frank. The shop stewards for Queens LongIsland Medical Group West include: Denise Jenkins,(Chief Steward), Aneka Grandison, and SabenaFitzgerald. Chief Stewards Denise Jenkins and Jean

Castrogiovanni both said that they were very satisfiedwith the terms of the settlement.

Inside• John Edmonds Promoted to Assistant Business Manager pg. 3

• Annual Retirees Luncheon Held pg. 4

• CSEA Employee Benefit Fund Workers Win Retirees’ Spousal Coverage pg. 6

• OPEIU Members Help Superstorm Sandy Victims pg. 7

• Summary Annual Report pg. 9

Local

153 NewsOffice and Professional Employees International Union • AFL-CIO

Happy stewards at the Queens Long Island Medical Group celebrate settlement.

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Page 2 • Local 153 News

Incomes Flat for 99%,but not for the 1%by Michael Goodwin, Business Manager

In a recent report by Emmanuel Saez, an economist at theUniversity of California Berkeley, incomes were flat for99% of Americans, but not for the 1% in the 2010-11 recov-

ery, where incomes rose more than 11%. In the same peri-od incomes dropped 0.4% for the 99%.The disparity between top earners and everybody else

can be attributed, in part, to differences in how the twogroups make their money. The wealthy have benefitted froma 4-year boom in the stock market, while high rates of unem-ployment have continued to hold down the income of wageearners. The high unemployment rate depresses wagegrowth for the 99%.An analysis of the data in the report by Mr. Saez, and other

reports, shows that income inequality, as measured by theproportion of income for the top 1%, reached its height short-ly before the recession hit in 2009. While the recession hitwealthy families, their earnings have snapped back, if not totheir 2007 peak.The same is not true for average working families. After

adjusting for inflation, medium family income of $50,054 in2011 has declined over the last two years and it is about 9%lower than it was in 1999!Excluding earnings from investment gains, the top 10%

of earners took 46.5% of all income in 2011, the highest pro-portion since 1917. It is anticipated that in 2012, the top 1%income will likely surge due to booming stock prices, aswell as the retiming of income to avoid the higher 2013 taxrates, referring to income tax increases for the wealthy thatwere passed by Congress in January. The incomes of theother 99% will likely grow much more modestly. Declining wages for working families and persistent high

levels of inequality weighed heavily in President Obama’sState of the Union address in February, where he proposedraising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to$9.00 an hour, which would lift the earnings of 15 million

workers by the end of 2015.The president said “let’s declare that in the wealthiest

nation on earth, no one who works full time should have tolive in poverty.” He proposed closing the gap of inequalityby increasing taxes on a small group of the wealthiest fam-ilies and expanding aid to lower and middle class familiesthrough programs like the Affordable Care Act. Many of theObama Administration progressive policies have been aimedat blunting the effects of income inequality. Mr. Saez notedthat the recent policy changes in the United States are mod-est relative to the changes that took place following the GreatDepression of the 1930s. All of this means that President Obama is on the right

track as he fights to avoid the next manufactured crisis fac-ing the country — known as the 2013 “sequester.” Everyoneis pointing fingers at each other as to who is responsible forthe deep mandatory across the board cuts that will com-mence in March, 2013 if an agreement is not reached betweenthe White House and the Congress. Any agreement reachedwill have to include both revenue increases and spendingcuts, both of which will affect the incomes of Americans.However, the absence of an agreement and the implemen-tation of the “sequester” will create untold collateral dam-age to the 99%.Most Americans are demanding an agreement and do not

want to see the “sequester” implemented. It will only hurtthe incomes of the 99% more than they are already hurtingand we can’t afford to let that happen.In the interest of continuing to fight for the 99%, we urge

all OPEIU members to contact their representatives inCongress and urge them to compromise their positions andreach an agreement with the White House. OPEIU has pre-pared a directory containing contact information for mem-bers of the 113th Congress. Please contact your Shop Stewardor Local 153 for your copy.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE UNION PLUS $500 COLLEGE SAVINGS GRANT: Due to theoverwhelming popularity of the Union Plus $500 college savings grant, the funds that finance this program arerunning low. As a result, Union Plus has put a deadline on accepting applications for the $500 college savingsgrant. Although that deadline had originally been set for March 31, 2013, OPEIU President Michael Goodwin wasable to win a two-month extension for all union members. The deadline for applying for the $500 college sav-ings grant is now May 31, 2013. Remember, to receive the $500 grant, your 529 college saving plan must be setup anytime after July 1, 2011 — for a child 12 years of age or younger — and must have $1,000 or more in theaccount at the time the application is submitted. The application and all corresponding documents must bereceived by Union Plus no later than May 31, 2013. For more information on this outstanding benefit, go toLocal 153's website: www.OPEIU.org and turn to page 38 of the benefits booklet. In the benefits booklet you'llalso find lots of other programs to assist with college funding, as well as numerous other benefits and services!

Local 153 News • Page 3

t its December, 2012 meet-ing, the Local 153 ExecutiveBoard approved a promo-

tion for Business RepresentativeJohn Edmonds to become AssistantBusiness Manager, effective January1, 2013, announced Secretary-Treasurer Richard Lanigan.John Edmonds came to Local 153

in 2004. Prior to joining the Union’sstaff, he obtained a Bachelor ’sDegree in Business Administration,Marketing and Management at theCollege of Staten Island, and hadbeen active as a member ofTeamsters Local 812 during termsemployed at Coca Cola and PepsiCola. He served as an Organizer for

OPEIU from 2002 to 2004. He became a Local 153 Organizer when hecame on the staff in 2004, and became a Business Representative a yearlater.In his new position, Edmonds will work closely with Secretary-Treasurer

Lanigan in carrying out the day-to-day responsibilities of servicing Local153 membership groups and organizing new members. He will helpLanigan in developing Local 153 policies and growing the Union. John Edmonds and his wife, Karen, live in Manalapan, New Jersey

with their three children, Gianna, Jordyn and John Jr.

Cathy Bostelman Retires

Officers and staff of Local 153 gathered recently to wish a fond farewell to Cathy Bostelman, an administrative assistant at the Union for 28 years.Bostelman began at Local 153 in 1971, leaving the Union 10 years later so that she and her husband, Frank, could raise their two sons, Robertand Kevin. She returned to Local 153 in 1994, working as an administrative assistant to Secretary-Treasurer Richard Lanigan until her retire-ment on the last day of 2012. Here, left photo, Cathy is seen with Local 153 Business Manager Michael Goodwin and Secretary-TreasurerRichard Lanigan, and, right photo, with officers and staff who are wishing Cathy well at a get together saluting her on her 28 years of serviceto the Union. Cathy, have a happy and healthy retirement!

John Edmonds Promoted toAssistant Business Manager

AttentionShop Stewards

Save the Date!Local 153 shop stewards are asked to

save the date of Saturday, July 20, 2013 toattend a special day at a Brooklyn Cyclonesgame. Minor League umpires are affiliat-ed with OPEIU and we’d like to remindmembers to support the Staten IslandYankees, Long Island Ducks and NewarkBears, as well as the Brooklyn Cyclones.Minor League baseball is an affordable andfun day for the entire family!

John Edmonds

Visit Local 153's New Website!As we reported in the last edition, Local 153

has a new, redesigned website that has plentyof resources for you and your family. Amongother important items on the website you willfind the Benefits Booklet that lists literally hun-dreds of benefits and services that are availableto you and your family. The booklet is revisedand up-to-date, listing more resources than everbefore. Members may visit the website atwww.OPEIU153.org right now!

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Page 4 • Local 153 News

Annual Retirees Luncheon HeldA Nice Holiday Gift: Pensioners Receive Additional Check

here was plenty of good cheer at the Local 153 annu-al luncheon for retirees that was held in December,2012. And there was plenty of good cheer for all

retired members of Local 153, including those who weren’table to attend the luncheon.Local 153 pensioners were notified that the Pension Fund’s

Board of Trustees had approved an additional retirementcheck for all those who have been participants in the planprior to 2006 and who were on the pension rolls as of July 1,2012. More than 3,500 retirees qualified for the check, whichwas nearly the equivalent of one month’s pension payment.Many retirees called or wrote the Union to express their

thanks for the bonus (see letters collage on opposite page).“We are delighted that the Trustees approved this extra checkfor our retired members,” Local 153 Secretary-TreasurerRichard Lanigan said. “It’s additional evidence that ourmembers are not forgotten even after they retire.” The annual luncheon gave Local 153 retirees the chance to

greet old friends and former co-workers. Local 153 officers,staff members and Retirees Association President CharlesPonti, Sr. were all on hand to greet them. All that attendedthe lunch agreed that it was a great time. And more than afew of them said it’s one of their favorite annual events,something that the photos here clearly show.

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Local 153 News • Page 5

, 8 ) Letters To The Editor ) 8 ,

Local 153 has received numerous phone calls and letters from retired members expressing appreciation for the extra pension check they recent-ly received, and other phone calls, letters and e-mails from members expressing gratitude for the assistance they received from the OPEIU ReliefFund after Superstorm Sandy. Here are just some of the communications that were sent to Local 153 by grateful retirees and members.

Dear OPEIU family,I would like to take this time out to

thank you from the bottom of my heart,helping my family and I followingSandy. Every little bit helps and whatyou did is well appreciated!

Please pass this along to the follow-ing people, Michael Goodwin, RichardLanigan, Mary Mahoney, and MaryShort. Thank you again!

Jaime MontagninoMember of local 153

Page 6 • Local 153 News

Local 153 News265 West 14th Street • New York, NY 10011

(212) 741-8282

Published Quarterly by Local 153Office and Professional Employees International Union, AFL-CIO

Steve Turkeltaub, PresidentGwendolyn Rushing, Vice PresidentWilma Artau-Banda, Recording SecretaryMichael Goodwin, Business ManagerRichard Lanigan, Secretary-Treasurer

Second Class Postage: USPS 316980, Paid, New York, NYPostmaster: Send address changes to Office and Professional

Employees International Union, Local 153 265 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10011

ocal 153 members from the CSEAEmployee Benefit Fund (EBF)were finally victorious in acquir-

ing a benefit that had proved elusive forthe past 20 years of collective bargain-ing, Business Representative NickGalipeau has announced. After a diffi-cult negotiation in which bargainingcommittee members chose to forego theopportunity to continue guaranteed ben-efits for a few workers, Local 153 mem-bers ratified an agreement that will sub-stantially improve the lives of themajority of the current bargaining unit aswell as future generations of CSEA EBFworkers.The new benefit ensures that retirees

aged sixty five or older will receive freehealth insurance from the Employer,and Local 153 members that have 20 ormore years or service with the CSEAEBF may be able to cover their spous-es with free health care upon the mem-bers’ retirement. This type of benefit israrely achieved in our current climateof collective bargaining. Although thebargaining committee expertly navi-gated a potential minefield of compet-ing interests, ultimately placing the col-lective good ahead of the individual,the Union must also commend theEmployer for their willingness to nego-tiate in good faith to find commonground. It should be recognized thatboth sides were forced to make difficultdecisions and promote creating think-ing in order to improve workers’ lives.Chief Shop Steward Tracey Harrington

said of the ratification meeting, “Someof our members wept with joy. It was thefirst contract that we’ve had during mytime as Shop Steward when our mem-

bers felt that their lives were going tochange significantly for the better. Wewant to thank Local 153 for helping usachieve this great victory!”

CSEA Employee Benefit Fund WorkersWin Retirees’ Spousal Coverage

Members of the bargaining committee for CSEA Benefit Fund employees included, from left toright, Mike Wagner, Carisa Guild, Christina Cook and Tracey Harrington.

Local 153 Says Goodbye to Jeff Bott ocal 153 Business Representative Jeff Bottrecently left the Union to take a position asan associate attorney at Phillips, Richard

and Rind, P.A. The firm practices labor andemployment law on the union/plaintiff side,including general counsel, employment litigationand ERISA matters. The firm has clients in theairline industry where Bott was once employedby American Airlines.Jeff Bott came to Local 153 three years ago. His

career in labor began on a picket line in 1993,when he was a strike captain during an APFAflight attendants’ strike against American Airlines. He served as an APFA VicePresident between 2000 and 2004. Just before coming to Local 153 Jeff servedas a Labor Relations Specialist with the Hawai’i Nurses Association, a unionthat has affiliated with OPEIU as Local 50.In leaving Local 153, Bott said that he appreciated the Union’s great lead-

ership and that he will miss working with them and the membership.“Officers, staff and members of Local 153 wish him the best of luck in his newendeavor,” Business Manager Michael Goodwin said. “We believe that at thelabor law firm where he is going to work, he will show the same strongadvocacy for union members as he showed as a Business Representativehere at Local 153.”

Jeff Bott

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Local 153 News • Page 7

OPEIU Members HelpSuperstorm Sandy Victims

PEIU members nationwide stepped up to the plateto assist victims of Superstorm Sandy in the NewYork/New Jersey area by contributing to the OPEIU

Relief Fund. Following a plea from the International Union, OPEIU

members contributed over $60,000 to help ease the pain ofthe economic destruction inflicted by the storm. Many mem-bers lost their homes, cars and possessions. Over 100 members of Local 153 filed for assistance from

the relief fund, and everyone who applied was approvedfor a check of up to $595 each. Many have sent expressionsof appreciation to the Union. Additional contributions can be made by sending your

check to: OPEIU Relief Fund, 80 Eighth Avenue, Suite 610,New York, NY 10011. Attention: Secretary-Treasurer MaryMahoney.You can be assured that all monies received will be dis-

tributed promptly to victims. Here is a list of the Local 153 groups where members

received checks from the OPEIU Relief Fund. The numberin parenthesis tells how many members received assistance:32 BJ (1), Adelphi (6), AFSCME DC 37 (8), Emblem Health(18), Federation of Catholic Teachers (36), Hofstra (8), LongIsland University (11), Municipal Credit Union (1), PreferredHealth Partners (1), Staten Island Physician Practice (10),Local 153 (2).

Contract Reached with PSE&GAcontract agreement has been reached with PSE&G,

Local 153 Assistant Business Manager John Edmondshas announced. It is a four-year agreement that takes

effect on May 1. On that date, members will receive a 1.5percent increase in base pay and a lump sum payment equalto 1.5 percent. There will be three subsequent increases inmembers’ base pay of 2 percent, 2 percent and 2.25 percenton May 1 of 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. The company also agreed to increase contributions to the

Seen here with Local 153 Assistant Business Manager John Edmondsare members of the PSE&G Bargaining Committee. From left to right,are Voshell “Rusty” Smith, Shop Steward, Mobile Construction FifthDivision, Helen Salkowski, Shop Steward, Southern Division, EugeneTaylor, Chief Shop Steward, Palisades Division, and Ciro Benati, ShopSteward, Metro Division. Missing from this photo is Michael Brady,Assistant Chief Steward, Central Division.

NAACP Gala

At the recent gala for the NAACP, Local 153 Secretary-TreasurerRichard Lanigan and Business Manager Michael Goodwin met upwith Randy Tucker, Jr. the new President of the New York Chapter.The ties between Local 153 and the NAACP have always been strong.We should note that the late Dr. Annie B. Martin, a Local 153 mem-ber, served for many years as the President of the New York Chapter.

voluntary employee benefit account (VEBA), effectiveJanuary 1, 2014, and retiree healthcare at a discounted ratethrough this account. The contract also strengthens language regarding job secu-

rity, contracting of work, grievance procedure and training. Local 153 represents more than 200 members employed

at PSE&G, and the new agreement was ratified over-whelmingly. The new contract’s expiration date is April30, 2017.

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Page 8 • Local 153 News

For the past two-plus years, Local 153 members atDowling College have shared similar struggles withmany other workers impacted by our nation’s slug-

gish economy. Due to declining enrollment at the SuffolkCounty liberal arts college, all employees there are current-ly engaged in protracted battles to preserve the rights andbenefits won over decades of successful collective bargain-ing. This is particularly true of Local 153 members employedat the college.Despite enduring substantial setbacks, members have

begun to gain back strength through successful grievanceand arbitration settlements. Along with showing significantresolve in recent arbitration cases, Local 153 members haveoften displayed an agile ability to skillfully articulate griev-ance arguments. As an example, Dowling shop stewardswere successful in quickly settling a case in which theemployer incorrectly calculated a formula relating to aMemorandum of Agreement between the Union and theCollege. The settlement resulted in an immediate paymentthat was applied to Local 153 members’ paychecks for moneythat was improperly deducted. Stewards had prepared forthe settlement by creating a spreadsheet of data with thespecific dollar amount that each bargaining unit memberwas to receive. These types of victories have also ignitedmomentum toward the completion of settlement talks overother long-standing grievances.

Members at Dowling Show CollectiveStrength . . . for a Good Cause

Among the many community activities Local 153 members at Dowling College have supported over the last two years was the October, 2012, Walkto Fight Breast Cancer. Included with members and family in this photo are Dowling shop stewards, Deborah Wynne, second from left, Mary Donoghue,fourth from left, Gail Scherz, fifth from the left, and Chief Steward Maryellen Bridgewood.

While Local 153 members at Dowling College are active-ly engaged in dispute resolution, it is the members’ charitablework in the Suffolk County community that has definedtheir commitment to the school, their neighbors and eachother. Since November, 2011, Local 153 members have sup-ported a variety of socially responsible organizations. Forexample, members participated in a walk for the AmericanCancer Society in October, and sent donations to the St.Lawrence Food Pantry in memory of past Local 153 mem-ber Karen Greco. Also, members have made donations aspart of a collective effort to the Long Island LighthouseMission and Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund. For the past twoyears the “Dowling College Holiday Children’s Fund”, cre-ated by Local 153 members, has provided positive commu-nity outreach for the school while promoting cohesion with-in the bargaining unit during tough times. At a membershipmeeting held in the Fall of 2012, Dowling employees votedto explore the possibility of sponsoring a child for the holi-day season. In spite of difficult financial times, the mem-bers at Dowling ended up sponsoring two children.“The members at Dowling are a inspiring group,” Local

153 Business Representative Nick Galipeau said. “Theyapply the beneficial lessons of collective bargaining notonly to negotiating and enforcing a union contract, butalso to worthwhile community causes. They deserve a bigsalute for their efforts.”

Local 153 News • Page 9

SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORTFOR LOCAL 153 HEALTH FUND

This is a summary of the annual report of the LOCAL153 HEALTH FUND, EIN 13-6110088, Plan No. 501, forperiod March 01, 2011 through February 28, 2012. Theannual report has been filed with the Employee BenefitsSecurity Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, asrequired under the Employee Retirement Income SecurityAct of 1974 (ERISA).

Insurance InformationThe plan has contracts with Hip An Emblem Health

Company, Hip An Emblem Health Company, The UnionLabor Life Insurance Co., The Union Labor Life InsuranceCo., Hip An Emblem Health Company, Hip An EmblemHealth Company, Empire Health Choice Assurance, Inc.,Empire Health Choice Assurance, Inc., ConnecticutGeneral Life Insurance Company And Affiliates, Hip AnEmblem Health Company, Hip An Emblem HealthCompany and Emblem Health to pay health, dental, lifeinsurance, temporary disability, stop loss, HMO, PPOand indemnity claims incurred under the terms of theplan. The total premiums paid for the plan year endingFebruary 28, 2012 were $6,627,943.Because they are so called "experience-rated" contracts,

the premium costs are affected by, among other things,the number and size of claims. Of the total insurance pre-miums paid for the plan year ending February 28, 2012,the premiums paid under such "experience-rated" con-tracts were $433,763 and the total of all benefit claimspaid under these contracts during the plan year was$407,131.

Basic Financial StatementThe value of plan assets, after subtracting liabilities of

the plan, was $8,344,072 as of February 28, 2012, comparedto $8,014,333 as of March 01, 2011. During the plan yearthe plan experienced an increase in its net assets of $329,739.This increase includes unrealized appreciation and depre-ciation in the value of plan assets; that is, the differencebetween the value of the plan's assets at the end of the yearand the value of the assets at the beginning of the year orthe cost of assets acquired during the year. During the planyear, the plan had total income of $19,914,216, includingemployer contributions of $19,861,648, employee contri-

butions of $157,421, realized losses of ($1,250) from the saleof assets, and earnings from investments of ($103,603).Plan expenses were $19,584,477. These expenses includ-

ed $1,485,903 in administrative expenses, and $18,098,574in benefits paid to participants and beneficiaries.

Your Rights to Additional InformationYou have the right to receive a copy of the full annual

report, or any part thereof, on request. The items listedbelow are included in that report:• an accountant's report; • financial information; • assets held for investment; • transactions in excess of 5% of the plan assets; • insurance information, including sales commissions

paid by insurance carriers; To obtain a copy of the full annual report, or any part

thereof, write or call the office of BOARD OF TRUSTEELOCAL 153 HEALTH FUND at 265 WEST 14TH STREET,NEW YORK, NY 10011, or by telephone at (212) 741-8260.The charge to cover copying costs will be $3.00 for thefull annual report, or $0.10 per page for any part thereof.You also have the right to receive from the plan admin-

istrator, on request and at no charge, a statement of the assetsand liabilities of the plan and accompanying notes, or astatement of income and expenses of the plan and accom-panying notes, or both. If you request a copy of the full annu-al report from the plan administrator, these two statementsand accompanying notes will be included as part of thatreport. The charge to cover copying costs given above doesnot include a charge for the copying of these portions of thereport because these portions are furnished without charge.You also have the legally protected right to examine the

annual report at the main office of the plan (BOARD OFTRUSTEE LOCAL 153 HEALTH FUND, 265 WEST 14THSTREET, NEW YORK, NY 10011) and at the U.S. Departmentof Labor in Washington, D.C., or to obtain a copy from theU.S. Department of Labor upon payment of copying costs.Requests to the Department should be addressed to: PublicDisclosure Room, Room N1513, Employee Benefits SecurityAdministration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 ConstitutionAvenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210.

Deal Reached for Aramark Employees at Citi Field

Local 153 has more than 400 members employed byAramark, a concessionaire at the Mets’ Citi Field, andthey have a new contract, announced Secretary-

Treasurer Richard Lanigan.It’s a three-year agreement, retroactive to February 1,

2012. Members will receive a 1.5% increase, retroactive toFebruary 1, 2012, and they received an increase of 2.25%on February 1 of this year. On February 1, 2014, the mem-bers will receive an additional increase of 2 percent.

The contract also contains an increase in the bonus forall eligible hourly employees who were hired after 1993,and an increase in the “super bonus” for all eligible com-mission employees. The agreement cleans up several areas of contract lan-

guage, and daily rated employees went to hourly, withguarantees. There were also improvements in the griev-ance procedure. The agreement was ratified over-whelmingly.

Page 10 • Local 153 News

Mr. Richard Lanigan, Secretary-TreasurerOffice and Professional Employees International Union, Local 153265 West 14th Street, New York, NY 10011

Dear Mr. Lanigan,We compiled the statements of activities — cash basis of Office and Professional Employees International Union — Local 153 for the

six months ended December 31, 2012 in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

GENERAL FUNDCash balance and investments—July 1, 2012 $ 198,278

Revenue ReceivedDues $ 3,453,844Initiations 41,149Welfare and Pension Funds—Reimbursed Administrative Expenses 54,649O.P.E.I.U.—Reimbursed Administrative Expenses 123,858Interest Income 20Sale of Discounted Movie Tickets and Great Adventure Tickets (Membership Benefit) 14,857Disability 4,118Reimbursement—Renovations 367,475Sale of Automobile 7,000Cancel Old Outstanding Checks 12,200

Total Revenue Received …………………………………………………………………………………………………4,079,170

Expenses PaidSalaries 735,213Officer's and Business Agents' Expenses 18,745Automobile Expenses 99,464Per Capita Taxes –Office and Professional Employees International Union 894,043O.P.E.I.U. Strike Benefit and Defense Fund 178,142Hotel Trades Council 194,347Long Island Federation of Labor 2,520New York City Central Labor Council 18,809Dues to Affiliated Organizations 3,520

Legal and Arbitration 91,234Organizing Expenses 13,515Negotiation Expenses 3,832Lost Time Wages 1,651Shop Stewards' Expenses 23,586Consultants 6,385Renovations 10,596Rent and Electric 276,063Telephone 13,141Auditing and Accounting 19,252Office Machine Maintenance and Rentals 40,218Stationery and Office Supplies 13,551General Office 5,690Postage and Mailing 33,903Insurance (7,537)Computer Maintenance and Support 24,920Flowers 992Temporary Help 231Holiday Expenses 3,880Data Processing 1,998Staff 401K Administrative Fees 800Conferences and Conventions 26,441Meeting Hall Rents 4,040

Office and Professional Employees International Union, Local 153Statements of Activities — Cash Basis

For the six months ended December 31, 2012

Local 153 News • Page 11

Executive Board and Trustee's Meetings 14,136Local 153 Health Fund and O.P.E.I.U. Disability 409,395Employee Pension Trust Funds 206,016Union Support Services 480Movie and Great Adventure Tickets (Membership Benefit) 11,345Tickets, Ads, Contributions, etc. 23,778Educational and Publicity 10,827O.P.E.I.U. Local 153 Newsletter 41,906Relocation expenses 6,000Transfers to Local 153 Defense Fund 211,943Returned Checks 7,959Member Awards 399Retiree Activities & Expenses 7,024Interest 186Loan Repayments—O.P.E.I.U. 20,833Employee Withholding Taxes 167,392U.S. Government and NYS Payroll Taxes 56,067Expenses Paid before Withholding Taxes 3,948,871Less: Employees’ Withholding Tax Deductions 167,117

Total Expenses Paid………………………………………………………………………………………………………3,781,754Increase in cash and investments……………………………………………………………………………………… 297,416

Cash balance and investments—December 31, 2012 ……………………………………………………………………$ 495,694

Disposition of FundsHSBC:Checking Account 324,681Settlement Account 24,089Retirees Account 16,299

Banco Popular 49,069Amalgamated Bank of New York:Money Market Account $ 80,356 494,494

Petty Cash 700State of Israel Bond (at cost) 500Total $ 495,694

DEFENSE FUNDCash balance—July 1, 2012 $ 880,073

Revenue ReceivedTransfers from Local 153 General Fund $ 211,943Interest income 1,359Cancel Old Outstanding Checks 1,400Total Revenue Received………………………………………………………………………………………………………214,702

Expenses PaidMembership Benefits:Disability Benefits 28,625Life Insurance (Death Benefits) 56,673Member Identity Theft Program 21,694

Payments to affiliated organizations 61,714Labor Day Expenses 3,777Rally Expenses 1,452Total Expenses Paid …………………………………………………………………………………………………………173,935

Increase in cash ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 40,767Cash balance — December 31, 2012 …………………………………………………………………………………………$920,840Disposition of FundsAmalgamated Bank – Checking Account $ 587,444Amalgamated Bank – Savings Account 3,105Chase Bank – Savings Account 222,438 812,987Amalgamated Bank – Letter of Credit Account 81,775Amalgamated Bank – Letter of Credit Account 26,078Total $920,840

Local 153 NewsOffice and Professional Employees International Union, AFL-CIO265 West 14th Street • New York, NY 10011

Presorted StandardU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDNEW YORK, NY

PERMIT NO. 7799

Address Service Requested

506ALLI ED PR I NTING

N E W Y O R K

TRADES COUNCILUNIONLABEL

• Towing/Service Call Benefit—All Local 153 members are eligibleto receive a towing/service call benefit through Nation Safe Drivers,providing up to two towing/service calls per year, per household, val-ued at up to $100 each. The benefit applies to all Local 153 members,as well as family members living in the same household. For fur-ther information, contact your Chief Steward or call Local 153 at212-741-8251.• Identity Theft Protection—A fully-managed identity theft

restoration program for Local 153 members and family members living in the same household. The program includes aprofessionally trained advocate assigned to all identity theft victims who will perform a fully managed identity restoration program. It also includes a monitoring program for identity information that is traded or sold. Members should go tohttp://promos.privacymaxx.com/opeiu153/ to learn more or toregister for this free benefit.• Death and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Benefits—A

$4,000 death benefit provided by Local 153 to members at no additionalcost. Members must be active, dues-paying and in good standing for12 months or more. An additional $4,000 benefit for accidental deathor dismemberment is also provided. For further information, contactyour Chief Steward or call Local 153 at (212) 741-8251.• Supplementary Disability/Workers’ Compensation Benefit—

A flat, once-a-year benefit of $300 will be paid to a member in goodstanding for 12 months or more after 6 weeks of such disability.Members must be current with payment of dues. In the event duesare not checked off by the employer while the member is on dis-ability, the member must send dues payments directly to Local 153.For more information, call (212) 741-8251.• PerksCard—Local 153 members receive a PerksCard, which is

their passport to one of the nation’s premier lifestyle discount pro-grams. PerksCard offers savings from a huge network of 15,000 localand national vendors, and the list is still growing. Members can pur-chase $25 dining certificates for $6 by phone, fax or e-mail, Mondaythrough Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. or visit www.perkscard.com tomake a purchase or register.• Dental Care—Top quality dental care at reasonable rates may be

obtained by members at the following Manhattan location—GroupHealth Dental Facility, 230 West 41st St. (between Seventh & EighthAvenues) Phone (212) 398-9690. (Emblem Health is accepted as pay-ment-in-full for most services.)

• Metrodent Dental Access Plan—Offers members a means ofreducing the high cost of dental care through a network of dentistsand specialists who provide substantial savings of up to 35% ondental care. If you have not received information or have questions,call Local 153 at (212) 741-8250.• Vision Care—Top quality vision services are available to Local

153 members at General Vision Services in all five boroughs,Westchester County, Long Island, and New Jersey. Members of theLocal 153 Health Fund receive varying benefits, depending on theplan. Non-members receive discounts, too. If you are a member ofthe Health Fund call (212) 292-4682 for details and locations. Allother union members should call (212) 741-8250.• Auto Insurance Discount—An Accident Prevention/Defensive

Driving class is available to members at no cost. Successful com-pletion of the class will allow members with New York State driv-ers’ licenses to get an immediate 10% rate reduction on liability andcollision premiums for three years, along with up to four pointsautomatically deducted from their record by the Department ofMotor Vehicles. In New Jersey the premium reduction is 5% andup to two points deducted. Unfortunately, Connecticut does not yethave such a program. For information, call Victoria Tirado-Romanat 212-675-3210.• Union Purchasing Plan—Furniture and household furnishings

at reduced prices. Plaza Furniture is located at 121 Front Street,Massapequa, NY 11762. Phone: (516) 799-3500.• Retirement Status—Retired members may continue mem-

bership in Local 153. Dues for retired members are $21 per year,and for $60 a year, retired members receive additional benefits,including a $2,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment bene-fit, the PerksCard retail discount program, the WellDyne Rx dis-count programs that include dental, prescription drugs, vision,hearing and a 24-hour doctor assistance line, and two (2) tow-ing/service calls per year valued up to $100 each. For furtherinformation, call (212) 741-8262.• Working Advantage Discounts—Provides discounts on movie

tickets, video rentals, shows, theme parks, sporting events, onlineshopping and more. To use this program, visit www.workingad-vantage.com and register as a Local 153 member by clicking on theright hand side of the home page and entering ID no. 924400144.• Union Support Services—For more information regarding alco-

hol and drug problems, please call 212-741-8250.

Local 153 Benefits and Services