Ha‘aheo 675

Business Manager's Message

Valentino B. Ceria

Aloha Members,

I'm pleased to share some positive updates with you. Our Pension Fund is 100% fully funded and remains in the green zone. Both our Health and Welfare Fund and our Annuity Fund are also strong and well-funded.

I'm glad to report that MC Group Hawaii Inc. has completed the 2024 financial audit with no significant findings. Year after year, our audits have come back clean, reflecting the careful stewardship of your funds.

As this year's legislative session wraps up, our work continues. We remain committed to standing up for our members by working closely with the Honolulu City Council and other county councils across the state. We're making sure new projects honor their commitments to Union labor, and we continue to push for strong Project Labor Agreements that protect fair wages, good benefits, and safe working conditions. Whether at the Capitol or the county level, our mission remains the same: to secure opportunities that allow our members to build Hawai'i's future with dignity, stability, and pride.

In line with that mission, we recently signed a preliminary Project Labor Agreement with contractors bidding on federal work at Tripler Army Medical Center— an effort that, if awarded, will ensure the project is completed primarily with Union labor.

On Sunday, August 30th, we held our annual Labor Unity Picnic, bringing together our members and fellow Unions for a day of fellowship and fun. Local 675 joined in by passing out Samurai Ice Cake and Ju-Mui, while Training hosted the always-popular toilet toss game for families to win prizes and swag. The picnic featured live music, free food, giveaways, and games for all to enjoy, and it was great to see such a strong turnout. A big mahalo to our Union Office and Training for all their hard work in making this event a success, and a special shout-out to our retirees who volunteered their time. They showed up early, helped set up, worked at our tent, and stayed until the very end.

And finally, Brothers and Sisters of Local 675, this is my final message to you as I retire after 46 years with the Union. From my first days as a Pipefitter Welder to serving as Business Manager, it has been an honor to stand alongside you as brothers and sisters in solidarity. Together, we have strengthened our training programs, protected our benefits, and kept our Union financially strong. None of this would have been possible without your support and hard work.

As I close this chapter, I encourage you to carry forward the values of honesty, dedication, and service to one another. Thank you for entrusting me with the privilege of serving you, our members. I have no doubt Local 675 will continue to stand strong for generations to come.