LOCAL 825 JOINS IN SAFETY DAY 2013 -- Members of Local 825 joined with fellow tradesmen (see photo at left) on Oct. 10 to take part in the annual safety day, sponsored by Building Contractors Association and Associated General Contractors of New Jersey. Hosted by the Railroad Construction Company in Edison, the event included workshops on various aspects of workplace and equipment safety. To hear a brief interview of Business Manager Greg Lalevee, click here.

New Jersey State Police tactical unit practices highrise rescues at Local 825

The State Police Tactical Unit dropped in on the Local 825 Dayton Training Center recently but it was more than just a social call. The unit was preparing for various scenarios that would require high-rise rescues or rappelling structures. Local 825's tower crane provided the perfect landing pad to simulate situations such as rescuing a distressed operator, building fire rescue and providing a way in and out for first responders. The exercise was in view of the NJ Turnpike and the entry road was lined with spectators taking photos of the operation. See more photos »

Governor Christie convenes New Jersey building trades leaders to join in "Helmets 2 Hardhats" program for returning vets.

Local 825's Business Manager Greg Lalevee (second from left) joined with Gov. Christie, Labor Commissioner Harold J. Wirths, NJ Building & Construction Trades Council president William T. Mullen and others to announce a state grant of $195,000 for the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development to partner with the New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council’s Helmets to Hardhats program.

The program is designed to honor military personnel, National Guardsmen and reservists by transitioning them into solid, family-sustaining careers in one of the state’s fifteen affiliated building and construction trades.

Helmets to Hardhats is a national program jointly created by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and the national Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO to help National Guard, reserve, retired and transitioning active-duty military members connect to quality career and training opportunities in the construction industry.

More than 275 military veterans have been placed into accredited apprenticeship programs in New Jersey since the program began.

Governor Christie convenes New Jersey building trades leaders to join in "Helmets 2 Hardhats" program for returning vets.

Local 825's Business Manager Greg Lalevee (second from left) joined with Gov. Christie, Labor Commissioner Harold J. Wirths, NJ Building & Construction Trades Council president William T. Mullen and others to announce a state grant of $195,000 for the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development to partner with the New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council's Helmets to Hardhats program.

The program is designed to honor military personnel, National Guardsmen and reservists by transitioning them into solid, family-sustaining careers in one of the state's fifteen affiliated building and construction trades.

Helmets to Hardhats is a national program jointly created by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and the national Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO to help National Guard, reserve, retired and transitioning active-duty military members connect to quality career and training opportunities in the construction industry.

More than 275 military veterans have been placed into accredited apprenticeship programs in New Jersey since the program began.

New jobs to come from expansion of Port Newark & Bayonne Bridge work

The Port Authority has approved $25 million to develop plans to raise the Bayonne Bridge to allow larger cargo ships to pass beneath it. The project will involve the reconstruction of the existing approaches, ramps and main span roadway.

Gov. Christie also authorized $500 million to expand Port Newark riverbanks and the container terminal.

Toll increase seen as necessary step toward growth in jobs & economy

Local 825 supports the Port Authority's proposed toll increase to fund much-needed capital improvements that will develop thousands of jobs and fuel the region's economy.

“With significant infrastructure improvements on the drawing boards, the Port Authority must be able to fund them,” said Greg Lalevee, business manager of Local 825, whose membership comprises more than 6,500 heavy equipment operators in New Jersey and five counties of New York state.

“These projects do more than hire workers,” Lalevee said.  “They preserve the region’s economic vitality for the future and lead to even more jobs down the road.” 

For example, the increases would pay to raise the Bayonne Bridge, which is too low to allow the larger ships that will come from Asia beginning in 2014, following completion of the Panama Canal expansion. If we were to lose this maritime traffic to competing ports, we would lose an economic engine that we have enjoyed for more than a hundred years, said Lalevee.

Other critically important projects for the region’s economy include:

• The expansion of Port Newark;
• The replacement of the Lincoln Tunnel helix to reduce congestion;
• The replacement of suspender cables on the George Washington Bridge;
• Replacement of the PATH’s 100-year old duct bank network;
• And security upgrades in area tunnels, airports and terminals.

“While nobody likes toll increases, we believe a “pay-as-you-go” approach funded by tolls is more responsible than a “spend-now, pay-later” approach, which only postpones progress and add millions of dollars in debt-load,” Lalevee said.