Breaking Ground

OE3 House Counsel Gening Liao, Esq. and OE3 Political Director Chris Snyder join the Breaking Ground podcast to discuss the impact that presidential elections have on working people’s legal rights and the ability of unions like Operating Engineers Local 3 to defend or promote their memberships’ rights and privileges.

Did you know Local 3 represents close to 10,000 Public Employee members throughout Northern California and Northern Nevada, and this representation includes a 90 percent success rate when it comes to handling grievances, pay issues and disciplinary actions? Learn about the many benefits of Local 3 representation for our Public Employee members and how to get organized, if you’re not!

Hear straight from the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Legislative and Political Director Jeff Soth, as he discusses Labor’s gains during the current administration and what’s at stake during this critical Election Year. He works hard in Washington to lobby for major infrastructure investments at the federal level that put Operating Engineers to work. OE3’s own Political Director Chris Snyder also weighs-in about Local 3’s specific goals for this election cycle and which previous political gains have created massive projects for us.

Please enjoy the Election Season Kick-Off podcast from Local 3’s Political Department, which includes Political Director Chris Snyder and Deputy Political Director Patrick Boileau. Learn how the political process works, from how union endorsements are made, where funding for projects you work on comes from and important races to pay attention to this year.

Local 3 Stockton Business Agent Michelle Gianelli has asked questions her whole life, and it’s this curiosity that has helped her succeed in her career, in the field, as an instructor at the CA Training Center, as a dispatcher in Stockton District 30 and now as a Stockton business agent. Listen and watch as she shares her story and helps provide correct information to the members she represents.

Learn about the almost 30-year Local 3 member’s early days working in the pit in Utah, as well as his climb to becoming the Utah District Rep. and Union Trustee today. Utah district Rep. Brandon Dew is also an active member of coalitions, has helped strengthen the membership and apprenticeship opportunities in the Utah District Office, is actively engaged in union politics and is proudest of his family. Listen to his story now!
 

1. Brandon’s story of how he became a union member and joined staff
2. Explaining the coalitions he is part of
3. What it’s like to be a district rep in Utah today, how the union is doing and what challenges Local 3 and other unions face in the state
4. Politics
5. Things he is most proud of

Local 3 Burlingame District Rep. / Trustee Charley Lavery has built a lifetime around union activism. The Irish immigrant recalls how becoming a Local 3 member revolutionized his life and the life of his family. He has used his story of unionism to change the lives of apprentices, members and more, while making sure Labor’s issues are at the forefront of San Francisco politics.

NorCal Construction Industry Compliance (NCIC) Executive Director Dina Morsi discusses the NCIC's role in protecting workers from wage theft, holding non-compliant contractors accountable and ensuring a level playing field for contractors bidding on the public works projects that OE3 members rely on for employment.

Sacramento District 80 Political Action Committee (PAC) members Frank Fuller, Travis Damiani and Miguel Gonzalez explain how the PAC works, how members can participate in their PAC and how these committees determine which local candidates do or don’t get a Local 3 recommendation. If you ever wondered how the union determines endorsements, listen now. Also available to watch on YouTube here.

An in-depth interview with Local 3 member, County Employees Management (CEMA) president and Hollister City Council Member Dolores Morales, who discusses what the union movement means to her, how engagement in politics is a necessity and how caring about and involvement in your community is all you need to make a difference.