Presidents Report:

This web site was designed to be user friendly for our members and their families, future members, contractors and anyone else interested in the cement masons and plasterers unions or the concrete or plastering industry.

First, let me explain if you are going to be a cement mason or plasterer the only way to go is to be a union cement mason or a union plasterer. As a matter of fact, this is true in the whole construction industry.

In all my years of being a cement mason, either working with my tools or as a union officer, every non-union cement mason I came across was overworked, underpaid, scared to death about losing their job, treated like dirt and dumped when they asked a question or maybe got hurt or a little too old. I feel bad for them and have helped many of them.

When these non-union workers come over to the good side they are shocked at how being a union member is like having hundreds of family members working along side of them.

While the work is still strenuous, we don't tolerate bums. The first thing a new 592 member notices is how much more money they are paid. Sometimes double of what they were getting before. They also see that they have a voice and they won't get fired or "sat down" because they stood up". We don't want trouble makers, but if you are right you will get a 100% backing from the other members and the union agents. They also notice the benefits . First the healthcare then the pension and annuities.

Have you noticed the vast number of non-union contractors always have young people or recently foreigners working on their jobs? Here's why. 99% of young workers don't think they are going to get old. I am 47 years old it feels like yesterday I was 21. When I was 21 it felt like I was going to be 21 forever. I never thought of being 47. It came fast. So the non-union worker exploits the invincible feelings of these young workers and by the time these young workers get older and begin to realize they are going to retire only on a social security check and nothing else, they are laid off and replaced with new invincible young people. Same thing with the foreigners. They don't know that the pensions exist and when they find out, there is already a new group of foreigners to replace them.

The average member in the Philadelphia area retires with about 2,500 dollars a month and about 250,000 dollars in their annuity. The people joining in the year 2000 will eventually retire with about 4,500 dollars per month and over 500,000 dollars in their annuity. Where on earth can cement masons and plasterers make that kind of money without hitting the lottery??? If that don't make you join the union, you must hate yourself!!! You owe it to your family. Print this out and show it to your co- workers. Remember "IN UNITY THERE IS STRENGTH."

As you can see there are advertisers on our Web site. This site is for anyone interested in the concrete or plastering industry. Now there is a home for you to travel to any Web site that's related to our industry. One stop shopping.

I hope you enjoy this site and find it useful. Stop back anytime and visit. Remember, anytime you need anything in the concrete and plastering industry, come to www.opcmia592.org first and then click to the many links for our trades.

Thank you,

Mike Fera