COVID-19 Vaccination Information

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Please see below as this information is available to all our IBEW 1212 members. 

The Actors Fund is proud to support members of the performing arts and entertainment community in ongoing vaccination efforts in New York City.

The Actors Fund can now help schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments at ATC’s Broadway Vaccination Site (ATC Vaccination Times Square, located at 47th Street & 7th Avenue), for members of the performing arts & entertainment community who are working, living or attending school in New York City.

Please call 917-281-5937 or email vaccines@actorsfund.org with your name & phone number to speak with someone who can then help you schedule an appointment. When you get your vaccine, feel free to share on social media using #BwayVax #NYCVaccineForAll and #IGotTheShotNYC.

Individuals can also make appointments at vaccine sites throughout the city at vaccinefinder.nyc.gov or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692).

Fraternally,

Ralph Avigliano
Business Manager
IBEW LU 1212
Office (212)354-6770
Cell (917)991-0011

We Remember Marc Scott

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I regret to inform you that Brother and long-time WPIX-11 Engineer Marc Scott has passed away. Born June 20, 1948 – Marc Scott joined the local in April of 1980.

A University of Wisconsin graduate, class of 1976 – Marc earned a B.A. degree in Television and Film Production. With his vast knowledge in the industry, Marc would go on to work 34 years eventually retiring from Channel 11 on April 8, 2014.

Please keep him and his family in your prayers during this difficult time.

Fraternally,

Ralph Avigliano

Business Manager

IBEW Local 1212

For more details or to leave a memory in your way in your own time you may click here. https://www-hughesfuneralalternatives-com.filesusr.com/html/28eddb_98c122ab7f52fcb7facbfa42b976abf3.html?name=marc-scott

We remember Chris Tobin

Brothers and Sisters,

It is with deep regret that I inform you our Brother Chris Tobin has passed away from a heart attack over the weekend.

A native New Yorker, Chris had a passion for radio early on. This passion led him to work at the ABC Radio Network as a Data Systems Manager, crossing over to CBS Radio (1010 WINS) and Westwood One. He became an IBEW 1212 member in 2003 working as an Engineer for WNEW Radio. WNEW changed its format twice in 2003. First promoting the station as Blink 102.7 FM and then Mix 102.7 FM later that year. Chris would go on to serve 8 years as a member, eventually leaving the Union in 2011. 

One of Chris’s last stops was at WBGO (a public radio station in Newark, New Jersey). There he served as Chief Engineer in March of 2015. “A consummate professional who took pride in his work,” recalls longtime host Rhonda Hamilton. “I never knew him to say an unkind word or complain about the many challenges he faced in keeping the station running as smoothly as possible.” Even during the pandemic, Chris helped keep the station running with his ingenuity and experience. “He was a wonderful person to work with – cheerful, positive, energetic and always generous with his time,” says Bob Ottenhoff, Interim President & CEO of WBGO. 

Chris was never one to say “no” to anything.  The bigger the challenge the more Chris loved the project.  However, he was never too busy to give countless hours of time to mentor young and upcoming radio broadcasters and engineers. It is impossible to know how many lives Chris touched in so many ways. His reach wrapped around the globe through his TWiRT (This Week in Radio Tech) podcasts. To say he will be missed is an understatement. Chris was 59 years old.

Chris Tobin is survived by his wife Lisa, his brother, and mother. At this time, we have no information on services being held, but we will share that information with you if it is made available. God Bless Chris and his family during this difficult time.

Fraternally,

Ralph Avigliano
Business Manager
Local 1212, IBEW
225 West 34th Street, Suite 1120
New York, NY 10122
Office: 212-354-6770
Cell: 917-991-0011

We mourn Victor Arnone

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

It is with deep sadness that I inform you our Brother Victor Arnone has passed away. Victor was a graduate of City College of New York class of 1976. Originally initiated into IBEW 1212 in 1977, he went on to a five decade career in television as an ENG/ RF Engineer at WPIX-11 eventually retiring in 2016. 

We mourn his loss and pray for his family during these difficult times, Victor was 67 years young. God bless Victor, RIP Brother.

Here is a link indicated here to pay tribute to Victor as well as a viewing and services to pay respects below. 

https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/ny/eastchester/victor-arnone-11934999

Viewing and Funeral Services:


Westchester Funeral Home

190 Main St, Eastchester, NY 10707 – 

Date: (Monday – December 21, 2020)

Time: (4:00-8:00pm)

Mass Service at Immaculate Conception Church

53 Winter Hill Rd, Tuckahoe, NY 10707  

Date: (Tuesday – December 22, 2020)

Time: (10:30am)

Fraternally,

Ralph Avigliano

Business Manager

Local 1212, IBEW

225 West 34th Street, Suite 1120

New York, NY 10122

Office: 212-354-6770

Cell: 917-991-0011

Veterans Day


“To those in uniform serving today and to those who have served in the past, we honor you today and every day.” – Unknown

Shame on CBS News

CBS News has continued to violate our collective bargaining agreement on a weekly basis. We demand respect. Hour your commitments and let us do our jobs!!!!

9/11 Memorial

We should never forget that today marks the 19th anniversary of the terrorist attack against our country on September 11, 2001. Many lives were lost on that day including members of IBEW Local 1212 and IBEW Local 3. Their names are listed below. Please keep in your prayers all whose health and mental well-being continue to be adversely impacted to this day.

May God Bless the IBEW and may God Bless America.

The (4) Brothers of IBEW Local 1212 who died on September 11, 2001 are listed here.

1. Steven Jacobson – Became a member of IBEW 1212 in 1979. Steven was an engineer for WPIX- TV and worked in a room on the 110th floor of 1 World Trade Center tending to the station’s transmitter on that fateful day. Steven was also present for the World Trade Center bombing in 1993. Steven was 53.

2. Isaias Rivera – Became a member of IBEW 1212 in 1985. As a technician, Isaias worked the 110th-floor television transmission center atop the north tower. He was a maintenance engineer at the CBS transmitter of One World Trade Center. He was employed by CBS for 30 years and was also present for 1993 World Trade Center bombing. He had been there on Feb. 26, 1993, when a bomb went off in the basement desperately trying to keep WCBS on the air. Isaias was 51 years old. 

3. Gerard “Rod” Coppola of New Providence – Became a member in 1985. He attended Brookdale Community College in Lincroft. He worked on the 101st floor of One World Trade Center. Mr. Coppola and was a broadcast engineer for WNET. Gerard died inside the World Trade Center following the Sept. 11 terrorists’ attacks. Gerard was only 46.

4. Robert Edward Pattison, of New York City was employed by CBS. Robert was only a member of 1212 for a little over a year when 9/11 struck. Rob was on the 110th floor of the World Trade Center’s North Tower tending transmitters for WCBS-TV. Robert was 40 years old when he died. 

Our Brothers of IBEW Local 3 that perished on 9/11 are listed here. 

Forest Electric on the 105th floor:

Robert Caufield, 49, Harvey Hermer, 59, Lester Marino, 58, Jeffrey Shaw, 42, Glenn Travers, Sr., 53 and Thomas Ashton, 21.

 Telecommunications Crew from Kleinknecht Electric: 

Salvatore Fiumefreddo, 45, Joseph Romagnolo, 37, Kenneth White, 50.

South Tower on the 105th floor:

James Cartier, 26, Ralph Licciardi, 30, and Charles Lucania, 35.

South Tower on the 90th floor:

Jose “Joe” Martinez, 50, Joseph DiPilato, 57, Steven Strauss, 51 and Michael Lowe, 48.

*A 17th member from Local 3, Anthony Segarra, died November 28, 2001, from injuries sustained in the attack that were later identified as the cause of death. We remember our IBEW Brothers who gave their lives on September 11, 2001.  Please keep these 21 men and their families in your prayers today.

FLEX PLAN UPDATE!!!!!!

Notice:

COVID-19 Exception for Making or Changing Pre-tax Elections through 12/2020. The Trustees of the Entertainment Industry Flex Plan recognize the importance of your health benefits during these unprecedented times.

Therefore, they have amended the Plan in accordance with recent IRS guidance, which provides you with additional flexibility due to COVID-19.

Effective September 1, 2020, you may make a new pre-tax election, even if you did not make an election during Open Enrollment.

You may also modify a pre-tax election, the percentage, the maximum, or both.  If you made elections with more than one employer, all percentages must be the same.

Pre-tax election changes must be made prospectively; therefore, you may adjust your elections only for the remaining months in 2020.

To make or change a pre-tax election, you must call Member Services at 323/993-8888 or 888/FLEX-401k, Option 1, between the hours of 07:30 am -05:00 pm PT (Monday through Friday).

The exceptions outlined in this notice expire on December 31, 2020.  If you wish to have pre-tax withholdings for 2021, you must make an election between December 5, 2020, and December 31, 2020.  

In Memoriam

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of Brother John Binninger. John died on Friday, February 7th.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Binninger Family.

We have listed information for the services to pay respects below.

Visitation

Tuesday, February 11, 2020
(Afternoon) 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Evening) 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Freeman Funeral Home Manalapan-Marlboro
344 Route 9 North
Manalapan, NJ 07726

Funeral Liturgy

Wednesday, February 12, 2020
10:00 am
St. Thomas More RC Church
186 Gordons Corner Road
Manalapan, NJ 07726

Interment

Old Tennent Cemetery
454 Tennent Road
Tennent, NJ 07763

The Family has requested, In Lieu of flowers please send donations to the link below:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/vgx7h-mary039s-college-fund

In Memoriam

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I regret to inform the membership of the passing of Brother Eugene Kelly on Friday, January 3, 2020.

Born September 4, 1960 in New Jersey, Gene attended the University of Scranton, where he honed his skills in the broadcasting field, eventually being recognized for excellence in his camera and post production work.

Eugene became a member of IBEW 1212 in 1987 working for the News division at the CBS Broadcast Center as a freelancer. He also worked for MSG Networks, CBS Sports and Fox Sports in the field over the course of his career.

Eugene is survived by his wife Kristine, his mother Audrey, as well as siblings, nieces and nephews.

Our prayers go out to the Kelly Family. Information on the arrangements are listed below.

Fraternally,

Ralph Avigliano
Business Manager
IBEW Local 1212

Visitation:

Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Chas. Peter Nagel Funeral Directors,
352 East 87th Street, New York, NY 10128.
from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Funeral Service:

Thursday, January 9, 2020
Mass of Christian Burial
Holy Cross RC Church,
30 Ward Ave, Rumson, NJ 07760.
10:00 AM

Committal Service will follow at:

Mt Olivet Cemetery,
100 Chapel Hill Rd, Red Bank, NJ 07701
11:00 AM