In his continuing effort to keep members up-to-date on what is happening at the Local and labor activities at the city, state and national levels, President Carl Haynes sat down with members at three Housing worksites last month to discuss members' concerns and other issues, including those relating to upcoming contract talks with the city and Housing Authority.

Haynes, accompanied by Trustee Abbey Pabon and Business Agent Remilda Ferguson, visited members at Wagner Houses in Manhattan on July 15; he joined Business Agent Leroy Ferguson for a meeting with members at Martin Luther King Towers in Manhattan the following day.

The team headed out to Brooklyn with Bernard McSorley, director of health and safety, on July 17 for a sit down with members at the Marlboro Houses.

"Much of our efforts last year was focused on securing a decent contract with job security for members," Haynes said. "We expect to begin negotiations for a new contract in the next month or two, and I know some of our members have issues they would like the union to put on the table. Also, we know there is great concern about the current state of the city's economy and the impact that may have on public sector jobs down the road. The Mayor has been rattling his saber and scaring the workforce recently with threats of layoffs; but he, like everyone else, understands that laying off productive, taxpaying city employees does not help the city's bottom line in any way.

"It's important that members understand what is going on, what to expect and how they can help shape the outcome. There is clearly a need for many more such meetings on these and other issues that affect our union directly.

"It's time to redirect our energies to focusing on members' concerns at the worksite."

The meetings, Haynes said, will be repeated with Citywide members as soon as possible.