Click here for the complete current
Pipelines in PDF Format

The grants were $4,000 per student, totaling $200,000. It was the 44th year of the Joseph P. Mazzola Scholarship Fund, which has distributed more than $6.5 million in scholarships since its inception.

"I want to express just how proud I am of the achievements of our scholarship recipients," said Local 38 Business Manager Larry Mazzola, in announcing the awards. "Our children are our future, and it is gratifying to see the sons and daughters of Local 38 working hard to build a brighter future."

This is the 43rd year of the Local 38 Scholarship Program. Scholarships are available to the sons and daughters of Local 38 building trades members who have worked the required number of hours for contributing employers.

"This program is one of our proudest achievements," continued Mazzola. "Through this scholarship grant program we have been able to make the dream of higher education a reality for thousands of Local 38 families.

"For years, a college education was simply out of the reach of many working families," he said. "Or they were limited to affordable colleges. This program has opened the doors to thousands of working families. I am proud that we have been able to make that a reality for hundreds of Local 38 members."

When the scholarship program began in 1967 the distribution totaled $4,000 – four $1,000 grants.

The Scholarship Program was the brainchild of former Local 38 Business Manager Joe Mazzola. Forced to leave school in the middle of the fourth grade, Brother Mazzola was dedicated to seeing that the sons and daughters of Local 38’s members had the opportunities for higher education that were traditionally out of reach for working families. When it was instituted almost 40 years ago it was a unique program throughout the labor movement.

The Local 38 Scholarship Program has proved to be one of the union’s most successful and popular benefits, and one which illustrates one of Joe Mazzola’s core beliefs, that workers banding together in a union can achieve more than any individual working can on his or her own.

Much of the success of the Scholarship Program over the years is directly attributable to the hard work of those who review all the scholarship applications and decide on the final grant distributions. This year that was done by Robert Varni, a past member of the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Community College District.

We talk a lot in the labor movement about those who came before us. Why? Because their struggles have resulted in the wages, benefits and working condition we enjoy today.

It’s not just that their hard work made t hings better on the job. They fought for Camp Konocti, so our kids could learn about and enjoy the outdoors. They fought for college scholarships so our kids can have a better future.

They fought for healthcare, pensions, supplementary unemployment, jury duty pay and numerous other benefits we enjoy.

I know many people—including some of our members—believe we won those benefits years ago, that we have won the battle for a decent standard of living for workers. Some even argue that unions are no longer needed.

But the truth is your union fights every day to maintain the life we enjoy. Every morning there are new headlines about attacks on public workers, or anti-union campaigns in Congress or in statehouses throughout the country.

Just look at the story on page 3 of this issue about President Obama’s appointments to the National Labor Relations Board. The President was forced to make these appointments while Congress was in recess. Was that because his nominees were so "liberal" or "radical" that they didn’t represent mainstream America?

Not at all. He was forced to make recess appointments because anti-union Republicans and Democrats hoped that with only two active members on a five-member board, the NLRB wouldn’t be able to do any business. You know, business like hearing unfair labor practices, holding union elections, or holding employers responsible for the treatment of their workers.

What does this have to do with retiring offiers? Well, its people like Steve Jennings, Bill Olinger and Bill Kidd who continue to make sure our rights and benefits are protected and built upon.

A lot of times--particularly these days--this doesn’t mean dramatic victories. We’re not organizing factories with thousands of workers. What it does mean is sitting attending meetings, negotiating sessions, conferences, conventions, talking with members and employers, and making difficult decisions about what is best for the future of Local 38 and our membership.

Everyone of these retiring officers have devoted years of their lives to giving back to their trades and their union and they deserve our gratitude.

I want to say a personal thank you to each of them for their service. Throughout my time at Local 38 we have had an outstanding group of officers willing to go the extra mile for our members. Brothers Jennings, Olinger, and Kidd are no exception.

So I have mixed feelings when I think about these officers retiring. I am honored to have worked with them, and am proud of their dedication, loyalty and hard work. I’m sorry to see them retire.

At the same time I am looking forward to working with new officers who are looking to keep Local 38 strong through the upcoming years. I’m very proud of Local 38 and all we have accomplished, and am very grateful to all our officers for their contributions.

On to some other business. I want to call you attention to two articles about scholarships for Local 38 sons and daughters. First is the article on page 3 announcing the 2011-12 Joseph P. Mazzola Scholarship grants. This is one of those programs for which we have fought hard, and for which we can be justifiably proud.

I want to congratulate each of the students for their hard work and achievements. School is not easy.

I also want to congratulate each of their parents. It’s because of your hard work and your union that your sons and daughters can enjoy this remarkable opportunity.

I also want to call you attention to the application announcement for the California Pipe Trades Scholarship program on page 2. This is still another example of the UA working to better the future of our members and their families. Several Local 38 members have received Pipe Trade Scholarships in the past, receiving even more help to meet their educational goals. Its a great program, and one I hope you will take advantage of.

On page 1 of this issue you will find a picture of the presentation of a $20,000 check­­­­—the proceeds of the 2011 Local 38 Charity Golf Tournament—to the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.

Over the years we have been able to raise money for a wide range of charities, ranging from rebuilding Mission Dolores to fighting breast and colon cancer. None of these are more deserving then the struggle against childhood cancer. UCSF is a leader in this fight and we are proud to be able to contribute to their efforts. As always, I am struk by the generosity of labor and its supporters. Thanks.

Finally thanks to everyone who attended the Joe Mazzola Memorial Horse Race on Thanksgiving. Great day, great event!