Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Strike Heats Up

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Strike Heats Up: Samsung 16GB Galaxy Tab 2 Wi-Fi Tablet - GT-P5113TSYXAR Speck Iphone 4/4S Pixel Fitted Hard Case Workers Protest Con Ed Lockout (Photos ...

Strike Heats Up

Samsung 16GB Galaxy Tab 2 Wi-Fi Tablet - GT-P5113TSYXARSpeck Iphone 4/4S Pixel Fitted Hard Case

Workers Protest Con Ed Lockout

(Photos by David Greene)

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 3- More than 8,500 union employees of Consolidated Edison were locked out at plants across the city, as contract negotiations broke down after a midnight deadline on June 30.

The workers, who repair and maintain the electric power grid that keeps our computers, televisions and air-conditioners running are now picketing outside plants across the city, as some 5,000 managers are now performing the emergency repairs needed to keep the power flowing.

One worker outside the Van Nest plant, that employed about 500

workers, claimed workers were fighting for maintaining their pension and medical benefits that he claimed management wanted to eliminate completely.

The worker, who would only give his first name, "Henry," continued, "They want to eliminate our benefits completely, so that's one of the sticking points."

Henry claimed that management wanted to change the federal mandate of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), allowing injured workers to be fired when the compensation runs out, explaining, "They want to fire your ass when your FMLA is over."

"It's going to be a very hot summer for the people of New York," Henry continued, "Management can't do the job that we do. They can supervise the job, but the qualified people are the people in the field and with 8,500 less people, there's no way they can handle the job."

Members of Local 1-2 of the Utility Workers Union of America claim that Con Edison CEO Craig Ivy was brought in from Virginia two-years ago after cutting benefits to union worker's in that state.

One Van Nest resident stated, "It's about time for the unions to start showing some muscle. The company is obviously making a lot of people money, let’s be honest. New York State and New York City residents pay a lot of money for something that everybody else gets for half-price or less. I don't think these guys are getting the money, but the shareholder's and the CEO are."

According to Con Edison's website, "All company personnel have been preparing for the possibility of a union work stoppage for months."

Con Edison's walk-in payment centers are now closed and normal meter readings have also been suspended for the immediate future.

Both the offices of Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor Andrew Cuomo continue to monitor the situation.

Con Edison currently serves 3.2 million customers that represent

nearly 9 million people in the New York City's five boroughs and Westchester County.

Workers at Con Edison last went on strike in the summer of 1983, when the company had 16,500 workers. That strike lasted nine-weeks.

Yanks Honor Old Timers with Win Over Sox

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 2- The Yankees and their fans celebrated and commemorated the organization’s glorious history at the 66th annual Old Timers’ Day on Sunday afternoon. Yankee heroes from the past 65 years were on the field prior to the regularly scheduled game between the Yankees and Chicago White Sox.

After the introduction of the more than four dozen former Yankees and the widows of Elston Howard, Catfish Hunter, Bilrly Martin, Thurman Munson and Bobby Murcer, the former players took part in a two inning “game”. The annual festivities entertained those in attendance and brought back heartfelt memories to several generations of Yankees fans.

The continuity between the generations of Yankees players remains to the present as the current Yankees and those of the past meet and get to know one another at the yearly ceremony.

At 2:07 pm, the scheduled contest began, Yankees starter Phil Hughes gave up two runs in the first inning as singles by Kevin Youkilis and Alex Rios each drove in a run.

Those two were the only runs scored by the Sox on Sunday. Hughes blanked Chicago during the seven other innings he pitched. He surrendered only six hits and one walk while fanning seven during his stint on the mound.

Manager Joe Girardi was especially pleased by the performance of Hughes in such an unbearably hot and humid day, “I thought he made some mistakes with location [in the first] and then he was able to make some adjustments. He was effective all day. To pitch eight innings on this kind of day is amazing.”

The win was the eighth for Hughes in his last ten decisions.

The long ball by the Yankees hitters, as it has throughout 2012, made an immediate impact. Raúl Ibañez led off the second with a single and scored on a two-run homer by Eric Chavez, at third base in place of Alex Rodriguez. The four-bagger tied the game at two.

Another two-run homer, this hit by Robinson Cano on a 3-2 count in the third put the Yankees ahead, 4-2.

The homer was Cano’s ninth in his last 14 games. The Yankees second sacker has driven in at least one run in each of his last 11 games against Chicago.

Cano was one of four Yankees named to the American League All-Star Team on Sunday. He will start at second, Derek Jeter will start at shortstop and Curtis Granderson will start in the outfield and CC Sabathia will be on the pitching staff.

The first place Yanks now embark on a seven game pre-All-Star game road trip, three games in Tampa and four games in Boston.

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

Paulie’s Back in Pinstripes: Yankee legends braved the heat and returned to the Bronx to be a part of Old Timer’s Day. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yankees Elder Statesman

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yankees Elder Statesman: By Howard Goldin BRONX, NEW YORK, July 2- The only franchise in Major League Baseball that recognizes and regular honors its hist...

Yankees Elder Statesman

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 2- The only franchise in Major League Baseball that recognizes and regular honors its history is the New York Yankees. More than four dozen Yankees were at Yankee Stadium on a brutally hot afternoon to take part in the 66th annual Old Timers’ Day ceremony on Sunday afternoon.

Sunday’s contingent of former stars included Hall of Famers Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Goose Gossage, Rickey Henderson and Reggie Jackson. The widows of Thurman Munson, Elston Howard, Catfish Hunter, Jill Martin and Bobby Murcer were there to visit with the teammates of their late husbands.

The eldest of the 2012 Yankees returnees was Jerry Coleman. The 87- year old, a regular at the annual Yankees reunion, flew cross-country from his native California to be in the Bronx for the event. The very good humored San Diego Padres broadcaster said of the flight, “They made the seats smaller. I had to sit like this.” He then imitated someone clinching his body to be as narrow as possible.

He spoke with sincere gratitude of the treatment the former Yankees received from the organization, “You wouldn’t believe all they do for us, the transportation arrangements, the hotel, the meals and the cruise last night.” Coleman’s description is valid as the Marketing department led by Senior Vice President Debbie Tymon arranges all such events with class and consideration.

Coleman humorously recalled his first game with the Yankees in 1949, “The first play of the game was a ground ball that went right between my legs. The next play was a one-hopper that came to me and resulted in a double play. After that I said, ‘I’m saved.’”

Coleman’s playing career was far better than he likes to joke. The second baseman’s first season was so good that the Associated Press chose him as American League Rookie of the Year. In his sophomore season, he received the Babe Ruth Award as World Series MVP.

When asked which of his teammates he was closest to, he pointed to the man sitting next to him in the dugout, Dr. Bobby Brown. Brown, one month younger than Coleman was a schoolmate of Coleman’s in San Francisco. Brown, after his playing days ended, became a renowned cardiologist and later President of the American League. Another teammate of the two, Charlie Silvera, back-up catcher to Yogi Berra, was a childhood friend as well.

Coleman’s baseball career was twice interrupted for military service. He was the only Major League player engaged in active combat duty during World War II and the Korean War. He values the wartime service to his country in much higher terms than he does his years in baseball.

The articulate Coleman spent seven years as a broadcaster with the Yankees after his playing career concluded where he again teamed with his double play partner, Phil Rizzuto.

After relocating to California, Coleman broadcast for the California Angels for two seasons. In 1972, Coleman began a position he still holds as a broadcaster for the Padres. He missed only one season as a broadcaster, 1980, when he managed the Padres.

His excellence as a broadcaster earned him the Ford C. Frick Award in 2005 and enshrinement in the broadcast win of the baseball Hall of Fame. Currently Coleman does not travel with the Padres. He works approximately 30 home games during the season.

Despite the difference in age, he appears close with the players on the team. While sitting in the White Sox dugout before the “Old Timers’  were introduced, the broadcaster engaged in very friendly conversation and humorous banter with former Padres, Jake Peavy and Orlando Hudson.

Anyone who gets the opportunity to converse with the octogenarian will be enlightened, entertained and uplifted as I was on Sunday.

One can also learn a great deal more of his interesting life by reading his 2008 autobiography, American Journey: My Life on the Field, in the Air and on the Air.

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

Paulie’s Back in Pinstripes: Yankee legends braved the heat and returned to the Bronx to be a part of Old Timer’s Day. 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yankee Old Timer’s Day

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Yankee Old Timer’s Day: (Photos by Gary Quintal) Paulie’s Back in Pinstripes:  Yankee legends braved the heat and returned to the Bronx to be a part o...

Yankee Old Timer’s Day

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

Paulie’s Back in Pinstripes: Yankee legends braved the heat and returned to the Bronx to be a part of Old Timer’s Day.