WURTSBORO - Many say that the hands of labor union workers built America, men and women who passionately devoted time and energy to making their communities better. And on Tuesday evening, Local 445 asked the town board of Mamakating to not forget the area's local highway department's contract negotiations.

Local 445, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, represents over 3,000 workers throughout seven counties, including Orange, Ulster, and Sullivan. The town has over a dozen employees tasked with covering over 130 miles of town roads using an array of vehicles and machinery.

Presently, employees of the highway department are in the third year of contract discussions with the town.

According to Ray Stainishia, a business agent representing the employees, lengthy negotiations are “not uncommon” as there are a few “hurdles” that the union is working on overcoming. However, he was not willing to disclose the specifics of such matters at this point in the discussions. The purpose of his visit that evening was to “remind the public and everyone here of the nature of the work that they do.”

Stainishia also mentioned that workers had not received a pay-raise for some years. “They continue to provide the service to the town,” and regardless of the weather or season, workers ensure that “the operations of the town can still go on,” he explained.

Stainishia acknowledged that workers are privy to the type of work that is required of them to complete.

However, he urged the board to look at the nearly dozen men who were present at the meeting saying, “These are the guys that are doing it and making sure that everything is done. That everything goes according to plan.”

Stainishia is hopeful that contract discussions will be completed by the summer. “I think we are taking steps in the right directions now.”