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Their work has no peer Contracting in, saving a bundle Across the state, CSEA members are showing they are a valuable resource when their employers are looking to make capital improvements to infrastructure and buildings. In the Town of Brookhaven, skilled members in the town’s Blue Collar Unit recently worked to rebuild the town’s piers, which were damaged by the harsh winter. Due to the severe cold last winter, parts of the town’s bay froze, locking the town’s marinas’ piers in ice. Rising and falling tides then worked the piers loose from their footings on the bay floor. “The town knows we’re a viable option that’s going to cost them less.” Plenty of work “We had 225 pilings that had to be set, which is a significant project,” said Ed Gregory, a unit activist and 15-year department supervisor who has worked for the town for 38 years. The town contracted out some of the work due to the scope of the project, but also used town workers to help save money. Gregory estimated the town saved $60,000 by contracting in most of the work, including the crane operator to lift, move and set the pilings. Part of the success comes from strong labor-management relations in the town, with mutual trust in the workers and managers to take on such large projects. “The town knows we’re a viable option that’s going to cost them less,” Gregory said. “The town hired the right people and trained them the right way. There’s no difference in the quality of work between our members and private contractors — I personally think our quality is better,” Gregory said. “They realize they’re not losing anything by going a less-costly route. It’s all about training people, training them well. That comes back to you.” “Any Walsh repairs that need to be done, we have qualified people,” said CSEA Suffolk County Local President Bill Walsh, who comes out of the Town of Brookhaven Blue Collar Unit. Walsh said CSEA members working for the town include licensed electricians and plumbers, carpenters and a dock builder. Their skills can save the town hundreds of thousands of dollars in new projects and maintenance From left, Chris Barton, Jay Rate, Jamie Koontz and Angelo Cassarino, all of the Town of Brookhaven Blue Collar Unit, prepare to reset pilings at a town pier. The town often turns to its own workers for skilled labor, saving money in the process. compared to private contractors. “When the town goes to get a bid for a job that needs to be done, then looks at what we can do, there is no comparison. More importantly, they know they can count on us,” Walsh said. — Lou Hmieleski Across the state, CSEA members are saving money for their employers by receiving training and doing work that would otherwise be contracted out. Learn more on pages 7, 8 and 9, and visit cseany.org/ contractinginsavings for more photos. June 2015 The Work Force 3


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