Jennifer Rice photo
ATMI Precast workers and supporters march to the home of ATMI CEO Jim Armbruster on West Downer Place, the home that ATMI workers helped get through their hard work at the factory.

By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
The statement ATMI Precast workers and their supporters wanted to make during their march last Sunday was to have a voice and an opinion at their work — without being fired.
To make their point, they marched to the home of ATMI Precast CEO Jim Armbruster, congregating on the sidewalk in front of his home on West Downer Place and asked him to respect his workers’ rights.
Tomorrow, Feb. 17, ATMI workers will decide their future by having the opportunity to vote for union representation by Laborers’ Local 681.
Last November, ATMI employees, represented by Teamsters Local 673, rejected the company’s last and final contract offer after the company offered to return only 5 percent of the 20 percent pay it cut years before, resulting in ATMI locking out its employees for several weeks.
After being returned to their jobs, four employees were promptly fired, resulting in Unfair Labor Practices to be filed against ATMI. Tomorrow, they will decide by voting, if they want to be represented by Laborers’ Local 681. In what labor officials call an intimidation tactic, ATMI has fired another four workers, resulting in more Unfair Labor Practices to be filed against ATMI.
Prior to the Feb. 11 march, Chicago Workers’ Collaborative Executive Director Leone Jose Bicchieri said the issue at Aurora’s ATMI Precast is not an issue of Latinos, whites, African-Americans or any ethnic group. It’s an issue about the right in this country to have an opinion at work.
“Mr. Armbruster: Please respect your workers’ voice this Friday,” Bicchieri pleaded.
John Laesch, a Northern Illinois Jobs with Justice (NINwJ) member and union carpenter said Aurora is a union town. By coming together and fighting together, everyone’s lives are better.
“There has been a grave injustice to the ATMI workers. Several of my neighbors work at ATMI. When these workers started to organize, Jim Armbruster started to retaliate. He cut wages by 17 percent. He started firing workers,” Laesch explained.
“We’re here to back the workers, to demand justice and a fair contract, equality and democracy in the workplace,” he added.
Outside the home of Armbruster, fired ATMI Precast worker Jose Ruben Meraz, through an interrupter, noted that Armbruster’s home was bigger than his, but that Armbruster got his home through the hard work of his employees.
Talking through a bullhorn, Meraz shouted, “We know you don’t want us to have a union, but we have the right to make that decision and we are going to have a union at our workplace.”
Meraz knows ATMI Precast will fight their efforts to unionize, but he said they will not give up. “That is our right,” he said.
NIJwJ member Mary Shesgreen said what is happening to the ATMI Precast workers is happening all over the country. “Workers are getting their wages severely cut and are being replaced by temp workers — working at a much lower rate,” Shesgreen said.
“This is an assault on all of us. This fight is for all of us,” she added.
Bicchieri said the majority of the workers at ATMI Precast want union representation and ability to collectively bargain. “These are simply the laws of this country. ATMI workers don’t want to be treated special, just fairly and according to the laws of this country,” he added.
Though someone was present at the Armbruster home, they did not respond to the marchers.

Jennifer Rice’s e-mail address is Jen@foxvalleylabornews.com.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
An Aurora pro-veteran council formed in 1998 is getting revitalized under a new mayoral initiative.
The city of Aurora is expanding the Veterans Advisory Council to help address issues impacting local military personnel who have served the United States. The Aurora City Council recently approved Mayor Tom Weisner’s proposal to expand and invigorate the Veterans Advisory Council to 15 people, and new members are currently being sought.
“Aurora is home to hundreds of veterans of our military services and a new generation of veterans is returning from Iraq and Afghanistan,” Mayor Weisner said. “It’s important that we identify and work to serve the needs of our veterans, and the best way to do that is to get their direct input.”
At least eight Veterans Advisory Council members shall be in good standing of an active veteran’s organization in the Aurora community. Five members may be non-affiliated veterans who have been honorably discharged from the military, and the remaining two seats may be filled by immediate family members of a living or deceased veteran.
The council will be composed of Aurora residents from all branches of the military.
The initial advisory council members will serve staggered terms – ranging from one to three years – as determined by a drawing at their first regular meeting. As each initial term expires, appointments will be made for the full three years. Members cannot be appointed for more than two full consecutive terms.
This won’t serve as the first time Aurora has put the country’s veterans and their needs first.
The city has worked closely with a number of veteran organizations in Aurora, which has led to the honorary naming of the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge on Illinois Avenue, collaborating with the Aurora Navy League in their efforts to have the U.S. Navy commission a ship after the City of Aurora, and establishing a covenant with all military branches. The City also partnered with the Roosevelt-Aurora American Legion Post 84 to co-sponsor the Independence Day Parade last year.
Residents interested in serving on Aurora’s Veteran’s Advisory Council are encouraged to write a letter of interest to Mayor Weisner. Letters can be mailed to the City of Aurora, Mayor’s Office, 44 E. Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60507.

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
The 2012 Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) scholarships are currently available. The scholarships are aimed at giving a financial boost to CISCO affiliated union and contractor employees, members and families.
Two are available: one for two-year continuing education for those currently working, and the four-year scholarship for high school students entering college next year. The deadline for turning in applications is March 9, extended from the previous deadline of Feb. 17 last year.
“We wanted to give people more time this year,” said Gary Karafiat, public relations director for CISCO. “We heard that in years past some people weren’t aware of the scholarship, so we’re giving people plenty of time this year.”
The scholarship was established in 1994 in order to provide educational support for CISCO members and their families. In the past, there are usually about 150 applicants.
“The need is definitely out there,” said Karafiat. “Every little bit helps these families. Tuition is about the highest it’s ever been.”
The four-year scholarships are valued at $2,000 per year for a maximum of $8,000. The two-year continuing education scholarships are valued at $1,000 for a maximum of $2,000.
To apply, click on www.cisco.org/scholarships or call CISCO at 630-472-9411. All applications and accompanying documents must be postmarked by March 9, 2012 to be eligible for consideration.
Winners will be notified in March and awards will be presented at CISCO’s Annual Luncheon in April 2012. For judging criteria, application information, and eligibility requirements, please refer to the application forms.

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
They’ve done a 5K race. They’ve done a motorcycle ride. Now it’s that time of year to jump into a frozen pond, all to benefit the Illinois Special Olympics.
Aurora police, as well as other area departments will take the plunge March 4 at the 9th annual Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge Silver Springs State Park in Yorkville.
Aurora Sargent Doug Podschweit organizes all the Special Olympics department fundraisers and gave some tips for first timers.
“It’s going to be cold, prepare for the shock,” he said. “After the initial numbness, it feels like bathwater. It’s great.”
He’s done the event about three other times, and said in past years, they had to use chainsaws to cut a hole in the ice near the shore. This year, with the warmer than normal weather, they may get lucky and just be able to wade right in.
“We’re fortunate this year, we might not need to cut a hole. We’ll see,” he said. “Some people love it, they jump in and out three or four times. You can stay in as long as you want, but most people just dunk themselves and get right out.”
The water is about four feet deep. There are divers in the water for safety, with male and female warming tents about 100 feet away from the pond.
Last year, the Aurora Police Department raised just over $15,000 for Illinois Special Olympics, with another $15,000 goal set for this year.
“Hopefully we can surpass that,” said Podschweit.
The goal of the plunge is to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics Illinois so the organization can continue to provide year-round training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Podschweit said the department hopes to raise about $2,500 through the event this year.
The cost to take the plunge is $75, with a food and beverage tent set up afterwards for those brave souls who do the jump. Additional food tickets can be purchased for family members at a cost of $5 each.
Additional donations for the Aurora Police team known as the “Cops and Convicts” are being taken by Sgt. Doug Podschweit who can be reached at 630-256-5772 or emailed at podschwd@apd.aurora.il.us.
The plunge will take place at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 4. Interested spectators can show up at the Kendall County Fairgrounds on Rt. 71 and East Highpoint Rd., Yorkville, where they will be bussed to Loon Lake beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
The Illinois Tollway has awarded more than $60 million in construction and construction management contracts for the 2012 season. This is the start of the $12 billion, 15 year long Move Illinois Capital plan, which is being funded by the toll increases implemented at the first of the year.
The project, which could provide more than 120,000 jobs to the area, contained a stipulation that area contractors be favored in getting bids awarded to them over out-of-state companies.
The Illinois Tollway awarded five new construction contracts and three new construction management contracts including $55.4 million for construction and management for roadway and bridge improvements on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), $3.5 million for construction management services for the Illinois Route 47 Interchange Project on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), and $1.6 million in construction and management services for bridge rehabilitation and landscaping improvements on the TriState Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80).
“The Illinois Tollway has been busy gearing up for a productive 2012 season by reviewing bids and evaluating proposals from more than 200 construction, landscaping and engineering companies,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “The contracts awarded today will provide much-needed work for these firms and we look forward to seeing these roadway improvement projects begin this spring.”
The contract awards include 7 prime contractors and 28 subcontractors with minority- and women-owned firms and disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) participation commitments ranging from 17 percent to nearly 97 percent per contract. Of the $60.5 million in awarded contracts, $15 million or 25 percent is committed to these firms.
The specific contracts awarded are as follows:
Five 2012 construction contracts for roadway and bridge rehabilitation on the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), as well as system wide landscaping improvements.
—$561,821 award to Herlihy Mid Continent Company for bridge rehabilitation on I-294/I-80 between Illinois Route 394 and 167th Street and at Atkinson Road.
—$23.6 million award to William Charles Construction/Curran Contracting Company Inc. for roadway and bridge rehabilitation on I-88 between Illinois Route 251 and Annie Glidden Road.
—$30.7 million award to William Charles Construction/Curran Contracting Company Inc. for roadway and bridge rehabilitation on I-88 between Annie Glidden Road and Illinois Route 56.
—$432,071 award to Allied Landscaping Corporation for landscaping and improvements on I-94/I-294 between Roosevelt Road and Sanders Road and between Lake Cook Road and the Wisconsin state line.
—$347,325 award to Copenhaver Construction Inc. for landscaping and improvements on I-294 between Cicero Avenue and the Cermak Toll Plaza. Additional work is planned on I-88 between Locust Road and Highland Avenue.
Three 2012 construction management contracts for interchange construction, bridge rehabilitation and roadway reconstruction and widening on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-294/I-80) and the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88).
—$3.5 million award to Omega & Associates Inc. for construction management for the Illinois Route.
47 Interchange Project on I-90.
—$244,717 award to IE Consultants Inc. for construction management for bridge rehabilitation work from Illinois Route 394 to 167th Street on I-294/I-80.
—$1.1 million award to ESI Consultants Ltd. for construction management for roadway reconstruction and widening between Illinois Route 56 and Deerpath Road on I-88.
The Move Illinois project aims to create jobs, improve mobility, relieve congestion, reduce pollution, and link economies across the Midwest region.

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.

Jennifer Rice photo
With the sound of AC/DC’s “T.N.T.” playing, guests counted down the seconds to the plunging of a mock TNT detonator, symbolizing the end of the century-old Downer bridges.

By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
It seems almost fitting that the year the City of Aurora turns 175, it takes on the task of rebuilding the century-old Downer Place bridges, symbolizing a metaphor for progressing into the future.
“It’s a historical moment and time, in more than one way,” Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner said. “As we celebrate today, not only will they once again connect the two sides of our city, but they will connect our city and our downtown for our future,” he added.
With demolition on the bridges started this week, the city bid the bridges farewell Feb. 3 in the Last Blast on the Bridge ceremony where guests, business owners and dignitaries were surprised with a flash mob by local students and a fireworks display.
Weisner reminded residents the bridges are more than just pathways across the Fox River — they’ve held countless passings of parades and bared witness to Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower and John Kennedy.
Construction is expected to take nine months, a significantly shorter time than was needed to complete the Benton Street bridges — which took two full construction seasons.
Aurora City Engineer and Director of Public Works Ken Schroth said D Construction of Coal City, Ill., will be handling the deconstruction and re-building of the Downer Street bridges, while HR Green of Aurora is handling its design.
D Construction was awarded a contract through the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) in November 2011 for $6.8 million. Eighty percent of that cost is paid through federal funds. The city’s share is $1.4 million, but $500,000 of the amount will be offset by a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
The bridges were deemed structurally deficient by IDOT.
The concrete bridges were last constructed between 1906 and 1908. Before that, the bridges were wooden and several times they were destroyed from the rising Fox River. The first bridge was constructed in 1845.
Aurora Historical Society Executive Director John Jaros explained that with the early wooden bridges, $5 fines were given for driving more than 10 head of cattle at a time across the bridge.
Juany Garza, who’s 2nd Ward is home to the Downer Place bridges, was proud that the memory of the bridge will continue, as the bricks from the bridge will be re-used for La Salle Street.
As Weisner was going to expound upon the re-useable bricks, members of the Aurora Central Catholic High School Dance Team broke through the crowd for a flash mob dance to tidbits of songs, which included, “We Built This City,” “Sledgehammer” and “Blow.”
The Last Blast ceremony ended, fittingly enough; with AC/DC’s song “T.N.T.” with Weisner using a mock TNT detonator, which (almost) corresponded to the ignition of fireworks in the background.
Residents interested in learning how construction is proceeding are welcome to attend meetings at 9 a.m., every third Thursday on the second floor above The River’s Edge Café, 18 W. Downer Place.

Jennifer Rice’s e-mail address is Jen@foxvalleylabornews.com.

Pat Barcas photo
Bob Miodonski talked about how this year may be a turning point for local builders, who could actually see more profits after the miserable last few years of dwindling projects.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
OAK BROOK — It’s been awhile since the local construction industry has had good news, but an encouraging report was delivered at the PAMCANI luncheon in Oak Brook on Feb. 3. Yes, the industry is slowly recovering, and construction is forecast to go up in 2012.
“Well, there is some good news here,” said Bob Miodonski, who spoke to the crowd. Miodonski is the group publisher of BNP Media and editor of Plumbing and Mechanical Magazine.
Miodonski reported that the construction industry is expected to grow six percent in 2012. He delivered a report detailing each individual industry and what to expect.
“This is still a people business, and relationships with customers still matter. Fortunately, we didn’t see a double dip recession last summer as we had feared, but we are not going to see the strong numbers of 2005-2008 for a long time.”
He said in order to survive, contractors will have to operate leaner and much more efficiently, implementing practices like using pre-fab materials, integrated project deliveries, more training for employees, and more wholesale material buying.
“These are changing times. This is the ‘new normal,’” he said.
Residential growth should bounce back somewhat strong in 2012, with growth of 15 percent in the Midwest region. Commercial construction should be up three percent, with open air shopping centers and renovations of big box stores leading the charge. Green buildings that are more energy efficient and tenant friendly are trends to look out for.
“These numbers sound good, but remember, this is coming off the bottom, so it’s still not great,” he said.
Surprisingly, amusement and recreation construction should be up three percent, with stadium construction buoying that category. Miodonski said the funding is tricky with the municipal stadiums because taxpayer money has to be balanced with creating jobs. Casino construction has been a hard hit category, with numbers way down in the recession.
Education building is forecast to be up by four percent, with greener schools, pre-fab and modular buildings for schools a trend to watch. Manufacturing looks to be down three percent in the region in this year.
“Manufacturing was actually one of the hardest hit categories, with a 33 percent drop in 2010,” said Miodonski. Religious construction will also be down, with fewer people donating to the church.
Still, Miodonski was optimistic that the worst may be over, and better times are on the horizon for local builders.
“There will be work out there for contractors who are progressive,” he said.

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
It was a hard won fight, but union membership is up slightly in Illinois and across the nation. This comes after unions lost almost 1.4 million members over the previous two years.
According to new U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, Illinois gained 32,000 new union members over the course of 2011. Overall, union membership increased by 49,000 from 2010 to 2011, including 15,000 new 16- to 24-year-old members. The state’s total number of union members increased to 876,000, or 16.2 percent of the workforce.
The largest increases in union membership were in construction, health care services, retail trade, primary metals and fabricated metal products, hospitals, transportation and warehousing.
Nationally, an increase of 110,000 workers in the private sector was partially offset by a decline of 61,000 in the public sector, making the rate of union membership essentially unchanged at 11.8 percent, with some 14.8 million U.S. workers active in unions. Public sector employees faced dramatic layoffs across the country as state and local governments trimmed their workforce to help cope with budget deficits.
This is the lowest amount of national union membership since the Great Depression in the 1930s.
However, union membership in Illinois and across the country ticked up slightly despite a rash of attacks on working people and collective bargaining rights, including the fights in Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio and other parts of the country.
“Despite an unprecedented volley of partisan political attacks on workers’ rights and the continuing insecurity of our economic crisis, union membership increased slightly last year,” said AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. “Working men and women want to come together and improve their lives. It is telling that as our country begins to recover the jobs lost during the Great Recession, good union jobs are beginning to come back.”
Union membership has steadily declined since the 1950s, when roughly a third of all workers were unionized. The loss has been attributed to the loss of manufacturing jobs which are typically filled by union workers.
Future union growth could slow down even further as states and municipalities lay off tens of thousand of workers due to budget cuts during the recession.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, Florida has the biggest increase in union members in 2011, up 68,000. Michigan was next, bumped up 44,000 members by a recovering auto industry. New York lost the most members with a decrease of 53,000 people.

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn delivered his annual State of the State address Feb.1, covering the bases on jobs, taxes, returning veterans, education and exports. The address received mixed reviews from lawmakers and industry leaders.
“The consensus is the speech was not good,” said Louie Giordano, executive vice president of the Illinois Mechanical & Specialty Contractors Association. “The governor has his head in the sand.”
Giordano said there was no recognition by the governor of Illinois’ real problems, like a lowered credit rating, the huge debt the state faces in paying off retirement services, and the increase in Medicaid costs.
Indeed, Quinn took a vague approach to summarizing his leadership, saying he has worked over the past three years to “to strengthen our economy and make Illinois a better place to do business.”
The jobless rate in Illinois when Quinn took office in January 2009 was 8.1 percent, rising to 11.2 percent in 2010, then settling to 9.8 percent in December 2011. This compares to the national rate of 7.8 percent in January 2009, and 8.5 percent in December.
Among the major points Quinn made in his address:
Education — He set a goal of higher education for 60 percent of Illinois adults by 2025. Right now the number is at 43 percent.
Utility taxes — He proposed eliminating a natural gas utility tax.
Technology — He announced a new technology center in Chicago’s Merchandise Mart for digital start ups.
Taxes — A proposal of a Child Tax Credit that would allow for a $100 tax credit for a family of four.
Veterans — A proposal of a Hiring Veterans Tax Credit to employ returning veterans.
Business — Navistar CEO Dan Ustian will lead a new Export Advisory Council. The goal is to double Illinois exports by 2014.
State Sen. Michael Noland of the 22nd district said he is in agreement with all of the proposed programs, but is unsure of where the funding will come from.
“It [the speech] was well delivered, it was on point, I think he shows he’s moved from being a consumer advocate to being a real steward of our state’s economy. I think he’s got great ideas, the question will be how to pay for these,” said Noland. “All great ideas, we have to understand how they’re going to affect the overall budget. I think that he’s hitting the mark when he’s talking about growing the economy. All of these ideas are designed to put people to work and to get money circulating in our communities, which is ultimately going to grow our economy.”

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.

Pat Barcas photo
William Strauss delivers his economic prediction for 2012. The economic adviser said it’s going to get better, just very slowly.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
As it turns out, the economy is not as terrible as everyone thinks it is. Clearing up current misconceptions and delivering his economic forecast for 2012, William Strauss spoke at Pipers Banquets last Wednesday at an Aurora Chamber of Commerce event. And his predictions weren’t all that bad.
Strauss is the Senior Economist and Economic Advisor for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. He predicts manufacturing output, vehicle sales and employment will rise in 2012, but at a disappointing rate.
There are many complex factors at play that are hampering the recovery.
“The great recession ended in 2009, but still, we’ve had a growth rate of just 1.6 percent in the past year,” he said. “The Arab Spring has contributed to more instability in the Middle East and higher oil prices, as well as the major calamity in Japan in March 2011. Japan is a major supplier to the auto industry. The floods in Thailand also choked electronics supplies.”
Strauss said after things bottom out, they have nowhere to go but up, and that’s what is happening now. But it takes a long time for consumer confidence to come back.
“There’s an excess supply of housing right now,” he said.
It’s this excess that is hindering recovery. Strauss said people are thinking of homes as just a place to live now, not an investment.
“Part of the reason the recovery is so slow is that the housing side of things has checked out. No one wants to make the biggest purchase of their life during this time, and you can’t imagine there’s going to be a lot of motivation for lending institutions to fund the building of new homes when there’s an excess supply,” he said. “Believe it or not, those companies want their money back when they secure a loan.”
Strauss said lending standards have begun to loosen, but mortgage loans remain relatively tight. Personal savings rates went up, but have begun to come down, indicating a stronger consumer confidence rating.
“The $64 trillion dollar (America’s GDP) question is, where is the personal savings rate going? My personal belief is, it could very likely go higher,” he said.
Although Mother Nature devastated Asia with earthquakes, tsunamis and flooding, she also helped with the mild winter in North America this season. Natural gas prices are way down, and gasoline prices are lower than people think.
“Gas is lower than it was 30 years ago, adjusted for inflation. People just think it’s high because it’s so visible,” he said. “Natural gas prices are very, very low, but you don’t know that because your energy bill is taken out automatically from your account. Fewer than 6 cents out of every dollar is spent on energy, and that’s historically low.”
Strauss also said it’s simply not true that inflation is out of control, or that all goods we buy in America are made in China.
“The view that we don’t make any goods in this country is nonsense. We produce goods of great value, not cheap consumer goods,” he said.
An example is the Caterpillar 787B, an earth moving machine that is used in quarries and mines. It weighs about one million pounds, is the largest machine of its type in the world, and is made in Peoria, Ill.
Consumers are also getting more for what they pay for today than ever before. A car costing $20,000 today gets far better gas mileage, is safer, and has more amenities than a car costing the equivalent price 10 years ago.
The same goes for electronics. A large flat screen television was reserved for the very wealthy a decade ago, but is now very affordable.
“The economy is going to continue to grow, but it’s more muddling along,” he said. “The growth is disappointing.”

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.