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President James J. Claffey, Jr. was given the honor of nominating International President Thomas C. Short for the Office of I.A. President. President Claffey’s speech was given a standing ovation. Recording-Corresponding Secretary Robert Score had the honor of nominating I.A. General Secretary-Treasurer James B. Wood for the Office of I.A. General Secretary-Treasurer. Secretary Score’s speech was heartfelt and was also given a standing ovation. Then, Theatre Business Manager Michael Wekselblatt had the honor of seconding the nomination of I.A. 4th Vice President J. Walter Cahill. Business Manager Wekselblatt’s speech was well given and was one of only three seconded speeches that received a standing ovation. Delegate to the Convention Brother Edward McConway was given the honor of nominating 7th International Vice President of the I.A. and Local One Brother Anthony M. DePaulo. Brother McConway’s speech was humorous and he also received a standing ovation after which Brother DePaulo received a standing ovation.
Local One appeared to be the Delegation leading the other I.A. Delegations. The I.A. knew this and that is why the top four of the fifteen I.A. Officers asked the Local One Delegation to nominate them.
Some members of the Local One Delegation attended television, stage and wardrobe caucuses in support of our Brother and Sister Locals.
Television Business Manager Robert Nimmo was on the television caucus panel with several I.A. Officers who looked to Local One for guidance on several topics ranging from jurisdiction rights to safety issues. I attended this caucus, as well as the stage caucus. Business Manager Robert Nimmo was the most knowledgeable member on the panel and handled all questions and issues with the utmost professionalism. He received a standing ovation from all of the delegates who attended.
I.A.13th Vice President Dan DiTolla and I.A. Representative Sandra England asked the delegates to contact the I.A. and advise them as to how they (the locals) handle safety issues so that the information can be shared.
The stage caucus was Co-Chaired by I.A. 7th Vice President, Local One Brother Anthony DePaulo and I.A. 10th Vice President Brian Lawlor. The major issue was safety and Vice President Lawler stated that Local One had recently won an award from NYCOSH for its safety program. He then introduced me and I explained to the delegates how we handle safety issues in New York. I was asked to assist several small locals and provided them with our email address and told them where to download information on the Internet. I also provided the New York locals with information on NYCOSH.
Local One had members representing it on all of the Committees of the Convention including the Resolutions, Constitution, Special, Grievance, Audit, Finance, Rules and the President’s Report Committee. The Grievance Committee was chaired by I.A. Vice President Anthony DePaulo. This Committee had to respond to many grievances all which were approved by the Delegation with several floor debates and challenges to the discussions and decisions.
The Audit and Finance Committee voted to increase I.A. per capita stamps $1 a year.
The three resolutions that Local One placed in were acted on and passed.
I was appointed to the Election Committee and served at the election of the three trustees.
I, along with other members of the Local One Delegation, attended the District 10 meeting, which is the meeting of all the Locals in New York and New Jersey. District 10 is the political arm of the I.A. They choose which State candidates of New York and New Jersey to support.
I requested the attendees of the District 10 meeting to write to state government officials regarding the OSHA Laws that were just passed in July. These Locals advised that they would pass this information on to their members and request their support in writing letters on this initiative.
On Tuesday night, July 19, Local One held its hospitality party on the 30th Floor of the Sheraton Waikiki. The restaurant, the room and the view were truly magnificent. The Local One Delegation all served as hosts by serving drinks and food and in greeting the other delegates into the restaurant. Everyone in attendance was amazed and honored by the treatment they received from Local One. The Delegates who could not make it to the party said they were sorry they missed it. If you calculate what it would cost us in public relations work over a period of four years, you would find that it would cost so much more than what we were able to achieve in just one evening in this hospitality suite.
Local One walked away from the Convention as the leading Local. From having the honor of nominating four of the top officers of the I.A. to the standing ovations that we received, Local One proved to all in attendance how strong, efficient and professional we remain. We treated all the other Locals as equals no matter how big or how small. We provided guidance and assistance to all those present. The small Locals were honored at the treatment they received from us and thankful to know that they could come to us anytime for assistance.
Local One Delegate and Replacement Room Chairman Brother Paul F. Dean, Sr. received the President’s Award from I.A President Thomas C. Short for all his hard work.
In summary, I could not have been prouder of all my fellow delegates whose knowledge and expertise stood out and proved that Local One stands strong. I applaud them all. It is truly an honor to be an Officer and member of the #1 Local in the United States.
Fraternally,
John M. Diaz, Sr.
Chairman, Board of Trustees
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