RECYCLING & GENERAL INDUSTRIAL LABORERS’ LOCAL 108

A MESSAGE ON THE 2020 ELECTIONS FROM Local 108 Business Manager Frederick “Fritz” Schneider

Dear Members,

This is certainly one of the strangest times I’ve ever been through, and I’m sure the same can be said for most of you. Along with the downturn in business, we have to try to figure out—and be part of the solutions—for when the pandemic ends. Our industry has obviously been flipped on its head. With stay-at-home orders in place and retail establishments closed throughout most of our jurisdiction, there are vast amounts of trash to be removed by municipal sanitation operations from residences and little to be removed from commercial establishments. And when Governor Cuomo’s PAUSE Act is lifted, business will not be the same.

Some estimates say that as many as 10% to 20% of restaurants and bars may not survive the shutdown. Further, due to social distancing regulations, many restaurants will be forced to leave more than 50% of their seats unfilled. Unfilled seats means less commercial trash to haul. And as more and more Americans get used to purchasing everything from groceries to cleaning products to clothing and electronics online, there will be less and less commercial refuse at retail establishments.

As we’re dealing with all these changes, we can’t forget that some things stay the same. Today I’m communicating with you regarding one of those, the upcoming State and Federal elections. Under the endorsement page of mtdcpac.com you’ll find a list of candidates from all over the state that were vetted through both an interview and questionnaire process by LIUNA-NY over the last six months. LIUNA-NY is a partnership between the Mason Tenders’ PAC and the NYS Laborers’ PAC. Former Local 108 Business Manager Mike Hellstrom, Jr. is our representative in those organizations.

We need to elect good, strong, labor-friendly candidates to the Assembly and Senate to keep our members working in decent, middle class jobs. But I urge you to do so safely and sanely by following these procedures:

1.       VOTE ABSENTEE! All registered voters in NYS should have received an Absentee Ballot Application in the mail. Note that this is merely an application for an absentee ballot, not the ballot itself. You must complete and return the form, after which you will receive your ballot in the mail along with a postage paid return-mail envelope. You can fill it out in the comfort of your home and simply mail it back. Just remember, it must be postmarked by June 16. If you did not receive an application, and you live in New York City, you can call the Board of Elections at 1-866-VOTE-NYC (1-866-868-3692) or go the website at https://vote.nyc/page/absentee-voting. If you don’t live in the five boroughs, you have to apply to your local county board of elections. You can find information on the homepage on how to reach your local board of elections for your application.

2.       VOTE EARLY! If you choose to vote in person, please take advantage of the new NYS laws regarding early voting. You should be receiving a notice from the Board of Elections telling you where your early voting site is located. It will be in your neighborhood, but it won’t necessarily be your regular polling place. Early voting is scheduled to begin on June 13, 10 days before Election Day (June 23). Undoubtedly, polling places will be less crowded during early voting because crowds won’t be as dense. Additionally, on Election Day itself, when most people will cast their in-person votes, social distancing rules will be in place, surely causing long lines and delays at the polls.

3.       OBEY SAFETY PROTOCOLS! If you do choose to go to the polls on Election Day, Tuesday, June 23 (Polls in New York will be open from 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM) please do so safely! Wear a face covering and obey the standard social-distancing rule of remaining at least 6 feet apart when standing in line and entering the poll site.

As Business Manager of your Local, my number one priority is making sure our brothers and sisters remain as safe and healthy as possible. This current crisis will undoubtedly, for the most part, pass. But our union, our members and their families, and our industry, must also survive so we can continue to provide for our loved ones with good, safe, well-paying union jobs. So I urge you to do your civic duty and vote in this year’s elections, but to do so in a safe and sane manner.

Thank you in advance, and remember: when Laborers vote. Laborers win!

Stay safe, my brothers and sisters!

 Fritz Schneider

LOCAL 108 GEOGRAPHIC JURISDICTION ENDORSEMENTS

For endorsements in other New York Counties outside of New York City, please click HERE.