LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Interna-
tional Union of Operating Engineers Local 409 in Buffalo, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to publicly acknowl-
edge those organizations whose endeavors serve the best interests of the
workforce in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 100th Anniversary of International Union of Operating Engi-
neers Local 409 in Buffalo, New York, to be celebrated on Saturday,
January 9, 2010, at the McKinley Banquet and Conference Center in Blas-
dell; and
WHEREAS, For the past 100 years, International Union of Operating
Engineers (I.U.O.E.) Local 409, The Buffalo School Engineers is the
oldest representative labor organization in the Buffalo Board of Educa-
tion, received its charter on December 24, 1909, as a branch of the
International Union of Steam Engineers; and
WHEREAS, Early on within the Buffalo schools, there was a need for
having a qualified stationary engineer in order to operate boilers and
equipment; there was also a need for someone to handle the custodial
duties of the school, thus creating the position of Janitor-Engineer;
this particular title in later years was changed to Custodian Engineer
and then to Engineer Custodian; and
WHEREAS, Wherever possible, a dwelling was provided for the engineer
and his family to live in on school grounds; these places were known as
cottages, with the last one closing in 1974; throughout their history,
the Buffalo School Engineers built a reputation for operating 24 hours
per day in an economical and quality manner in which they have cared for
the local schools; and
WHEREAS, Today, 100 years after the chartering of the Local 409, the
job remains the same, ensuring that each student in the Buffalo schools
is educated in a heated, clean and safe building; and
WHEREAS, History teaches us that in many parts of the world, including
our beloved Nation, craftsmen and journeymen in various trades and
disciplines united and joined voluntary associations to represent their
numbers; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of International Union of Operating
Engineers Local 409 in Buffalo, New York, fully confident that it will
continue to enjoy the sparkling success which has so characterized its
past; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Jeffrey C. Lathrop, President, I.U.O.E. Local 409.