Our union was very successful in last night's election for the Boston City Council as all candidates endorsed by SENA were victorious.  At Large candidates Felix Arroyo, John Connolly and City Council President Stephen Murphy retained their seats along with former SENA member and District 2 Councillor Bill Linehan and District 7 Councillor Tito Jackson.  In addition, SENA was the first public sector union to endorse the candidacy in the primary election of District 3 candidate Frank Baker.  Frank was also victorious and appreciative of the work and backing performed by SENA to assist in his longshot campaign.  We are extremely happy with the outcome and look forward to working closely with all members of the Boston City Council over the next two years.  Congratualtions to all. 

Tonight we gather to celebrate an accomplishment, one not born of one man or one woman, but by a group of dedicated city employees who stood up in 1985 and said "enough is enough".  Tonight we honor those members in addition to our membership, retirees and our Officers and Stewards.

Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen - SENA members and their Guests

I am pleased to recognize several individuals who graciously agreed to join us at tonight's banquet.  First, former Worcester Mayor who by all accounts had a great working relationship with his City unions, and now serves as the Lt. Governor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and quite possibly our next Governor; Lt. Gov. Tim Murray.  A long time friend who worked behind the scenes to provide protection for city unions to craft a reasonable and beneficial health care proposal with the City; City Council President Stephen Murphy.  I wish to recognize our partners in the USW; International Vice President Fred Redmond, Outgoing District 4 Director Bill Pienta and Incoming District 4 Director John Shinn.  One additional guest extended his regrets due to a scheduling conflict, but on Wednesday I received a text from his scheduler in which he extended his contratulatory wishes to the membership, it was from the former President of the United States Bill Clinton.

Tonight we are honored to have these officials participate in our celebration, but an event of this magnitude could not have been accomplished without the hard work and dedication of our Officers and Stewards along with the Committee members.  I respectfully ask that all Officers and Stewards along with the Committee members to stand and be recognized by the membership.  My friends, I would be remiss in not stating that collectively we are in the midst of a backlash against the
public sector.  While it's been a bit quiet, make no mistake that our union continues to fight the fight virtually every day whether at City Hall, at the State House or at the Federal level.  Most of us have seen our pay checks shrink.  Last January our federal withholding tax was increased unexpectedly and indications are that it could happen again.  We have also taken a wage freeze and two hits to our health care cost and yet we still continue to be placed on the defensive.  While we have come far in 25 years, our union along with others must  send a message as loud and as strong as the one back in 1985 that "enough is enough", public sector employees are not looking for handouts, what we are looking for is fairness, equity and respect.  So whether as SENA members you work for the Boston PoliceDepartment, Assessing, Auditing, BCYF, Public Health Commission, Budget, Purchasing , Fire, Inspectional Services, DoIt, Retirement, City Clerk, OHR, Parks, Election, Property Management, DPW,  Elderly, Transportation, Treasury, Collecting, and any other department, counter their negative statements with the positives; that what we do on a daily basis makes this City and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts a better place to live.  As the banner states, SENA 9158, a division of the United Steelworkers are the workers who successfully manage cities and towns, 24/7 365 days of the year.

Among the eleven retirees in attendance are two long serving stewards; Bob Silvey of the DPW and Jane Green of the BFD, they along with their fellow retirees total over 300 years of service to the City of Boston.  A lot of years, a lot of dedication to their departments and a lot of thanks from the over 400 attendeees here at the Seaport.  So enjoy the night, enjoy the company of your friends and colleagues, celebrate with the retirees and take heart, under no circumstance will we bring back a contract that is not worthy of our membership.  After two health care increases and a wage freeze, the city's offer of zero percent with no retroactive pay is NOT an option.  I repeat, the city's offer of zero percent with no retroactive pay is NOT an option.  Thank you for attending tonight, thank you for your support of this union and thank you for allowing me to be your President.   John Zuccaro Jr. President