Winter 2023

My Fellow Brothers and Sisters,

Thankfully, fall is treating us well this year and pushing the work a little deeper than past Novembers. The warmer weather is leaving us and our contractors with a longer season to help get projects closed-in and or completed.

This year, instead of the Local 5’s drive-thru that we’ve been doing the past few years, Local 5’s Executive Board wanted to welcome members back with open doors before the holidays start. So, this year we will be holding a Holiday Open House Walk Thru, on December 5th from 12:00pm to 7:00pm here at our Local 5 membership hall. This is only for Local 5 members in good standing. Please come and say hello!

Spread the joy and bring a toy! For those of you that are in the holiday spirit and want donate a new unwrapped toy for a child for the Local 5 toy drive, there will be a collection area at the event.

In other news, projects throughout Chicagoland are still going strong for all the building trades. As always, roadwork is making its final push to get jobs finished. Local 5’s Out-of-Work list has fluctuated throughout the year from 12 to 30 members seeking work and is currently sitting at 27 members.

On the horizon, LiUNA (Laborers) is targeting solar energy and has teamed up with the Operating Engineers and IBEW to sign a Tri -Trade agreement to position us at the forefront of forthcoming solar energy projects. Federal & state money has already been allocated to these projects. For those interested in this line of work the Training Center is now offering classes in this growing field.

While some of you may be coming into some down-time this winter, don’t forget to utilize our Training Center for your certifications that our signatory contractors require for employment. These classes rapidly fill up throughout the winter months, so make sure to register now. Starting December 10th, here at our local, there will be another OHSA 30 hour class. OHSA certifications are becoming MANDATORY on most of the call outs this year. Even when Indiana locals have reached out for assistance, there 1st requirement is an OSHA certification. Call Kim to get registered for it.

With all that being said, the end of 2023 is rapidly approaching and hopefully everyone has a strong push to close out the season! I hope you and your families are all in good health. I, and everyone here at Local 5, wish you and your families a safe joyous holiday season!

Fraternally yours,

Frank Taffora

President/Business Manager