Meet Our Team

Molly Sage, LMHC​
​​​Molly Sage is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in New York State. She received her Master’s Degree in Counselor Education from CUNY Queens College and her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from SUNY New Paltz. She has worked for Local 28 as the Members Assistance Program (MAP) Counselor for three years. Prior to joining the Local 28 MAP, she had experience working at an outpatient substance abuse treatment center and an inpatient psychiatric center. She has worked to help individuals cope with, and overcome, a wide range of issues, including anxiety, stress, depression, communication, substance use, and self-esteem. She takes on an eclectic approach to counseling, utilizing various theories and techniques, to ensure that each member has their specific needs met to assist them in being successful in meeting their apprentice school training and on-the-job performance responsibilities. 

Bill Salvatore​
​Bill Salvatore started his career as a sheet metal worker with Local 28 in 1971 at age 19. In 1992, Bill left the trade to become a counselor in the Beth Israel Stuyvesant Square program. Bill returned to Local 28 in 1997 and volunteered in the Local’s Peer Counseling Program and was certified by the Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO. Although the program faded away years later, Bill continued as a Peer Counselor and was known as someone whom you could call if you had a problem with drugs or alcohol. Bill retired in 2009 and after six years of retirement, he returned to Local 28 after learning that the Sheet Metal Air Rail Transit (SMART) International was setting up a Peer to Peer SMART Members Assistance Program (MAP) to address the growing mental health and substance use disorder problems in our industry. Bill attended SMART MAP training and presented the program to the Local’s leadership. In 2016, the Trustees of the Local 28 Welfare Fund hired Bill to set up a full time Peer to Peer program in Local 28. Since then, Bill has been working tirelessly to get the message to our members that you don’t have to suffer alone anymore. Bill is available to all Local 28 members and their families.

Santiago Idlet​
​Santiago Idlet joined Local 28 as a sheet metal worker in 1986, beginning his 34 year career that has led him to not only understand the hard work and dedication needed in this trade, but the importance of advocacy and support in order to be successful. During this time, Santiago became involved as the Brooklyn representative of the political action league, working with the Union and politicians to make construction work fair and safe. This advocacy would become a passion, furthering his need to remain involved. He has volunteered for the Union’s picnics and is a certified shop steward as well as a member of the Exit Committee. His decades of working alongside his brothers and sisters of Local 28 has shown him firsthand the urgent need for assistance and support with both addiction and mental health issues.  Often, the stress that goes along with the job and/or home, has many turning to drug and alcohol use/abuse. Santiago’s open, friendly, and compassionate nature lets co-workers know that they could share with him, on a personal level, anything about their lives. With decades of experience working two important parts of Local 28, physical construction and advocating through leadership and delegation, Santiago knew the next step, and in 2020 he took it.  This year Santiago attended the SMART MAP training program, which is now affording him the opportunity to be a part of the Local 28 Peer to Peer program, supporting our members and their families as they take steps towards change. Santiago believes in the strength of the Union, the MAP program, and what they have to offer for all members and their families.

Beacon Wellbeing MAP

The integrated Beacon Member Assistance Program (MAP) includes the following benefits for member, dependents and household members below and can be accessed twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.  
 
Member Assistance Program (MAP)
Counseling Services
Talk with a licensed counselor for support with issues such as managing stress, strengthening relationships, work/life balance, and grief and loss.
 
Legal and Financial Services
Talk to a financial or legal expert for consultations and discounts on services provided for divorce, real estate issues, debt management, and budgeting.
 
Work/Life Services
Obtain professional resource and referral services related to child and eldercare, education, growing families, consumer resources, home maintenance and repair, and daily living resources.

Please check the portal for all forms
​related to the Funds Office.

UNION FUSION PORTAL