Members of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 unanimously reelected Business Manager Greg Lalevee and his slate of 18 officers this week to three-year terms.
Lalevee, first elected in 2010, said he has honored to have the opportunity to serve a fifth term.
“On behalf of our entire executive team, I am grateful for our members’ renewed faith in the Local 825 leadership,” he said. “We work hard every day for our members, making sure they are the best trained and most professional workers in some of the most important infrastructure projects in New Jersey and New York, all the while striving to ensure a quality of life our members have earned.”
Under Lalevee, the local’s membership has increased by over 15%, to more than 7,500 operating engineers.
Local 825 has invested millions of dollars in training and equipment to ensure the heavy equipment operators remain top-of-class in their field, especially with the nation’s largest infrastructure project — the Gateway train tunnel under the Hudson River — soon to begin.
Local 825 also is working to recruit a diverse membership and create an inclusive environment.
By facilitating the training needs of its members, it maximizes their employability and prepares them for changes in the industry, Lalevee said.
Lalevee said the goal is to enable members to acquire new skills and remain competitive in the industry, while remaining fiscally responsible to the beneficiaries of the fund.