Pursuant to a Voluntary Compliance Agreement signed on March 27, 2023, the GCC-IBT Local 406C will conduct a new election and installation for the office of President under the Secretary of Labor’s supervision in July 2023. The Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) of the U.S. Department of Labor is responsible for assuring the election is conducted in accordance with Title IV of the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (LMRDA). Under the OLMS General Rules of the supervised rerun election for Local 406 president, incumbent President Mike LaSpina and challenger Mr. Ted Phillips can email members through the Local 406 website.

A letter of support for Mike LaSpina from Barry Hooghkirk, Vice chairman EPR

To the Local Membership of 406

                  I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself first. My name is Barry Hooghkirk and i am the current Vice President in the EPR Unit. I have been at Newsday now almost37 years and have seen and been involved with many changes and policies over time. I have been a member of this local since 1994 when EPR was created and soon unionized. In that time I have been involved in some capacity or another in learning and becoming an active officer, learning from experienced leaders who have always looked out for the membership and have had vast experience in presiding over the local. One such individual is Mike LaSpina. I was introduced to Mike approximately 20 years ago. From that point forward I have always known Mike to be a proven leader and representative for our members. He has always looked out after the local first and its members, whether upholding the contracts and negotiating contracts than eventually as our president, leading contract negotiations. We have always had some of the best contracts that were used as industry models. Mike brings to the table a vast knowledge and experience in leadership skills, in the local and in the international. Mike has vast friendships and contacts throughout the unions and affiliates that have proven to be an asset to our local. These relationships and contacts have always been an asset to us as well as the exchange of ideas and information. Mike has been heavily involved in every department and each and every union member of that department when and if needed. Mikes knowledge and proven experience in negotiating contracts,  legal matters, issues concerning policy, departmental issues, joint standings, union protocal are assets that can not be dismissed or developed overnight, it takes years. Mike also has a working relationship and the respect of Newsday counterparts, making problems and concerns easier to settle in a fair resolve. I have in my years witnessed a lot of  changes in officers in this local, some who wanted to be involved, and some who never had any experience and who have never shown any interest in being involved from the “bottom up to learn and want to know every level of being a leader in all of these vital components. I just know at this point in time, we need a president who is experienced in leading and navigating the many changes that we face in an ever changing industry. I want to know that the president we elect will have the time, the experience, the knowledge of all that is required to hold and lead us into the future. I know, and I believe that Mike LaSpina is that individual. Please, look at the history of the 2 candidates and look at the accomplishments and the results that they have delivered for the members of this local. I fully endorse Mike LaSpina for president to lead and guide us through these challenging times and a president who i know will keep delivering.

Barry Hooghkirk,
Vice Chairman EPR