The contracts for the following trades have been extended until Wednesday, May 5th, 12:00 midnight:

Metropolitan Regional Council of Carpenters

Operating Engineers

Cement Masons

At this time bargaining teams are continuing to meet. There are currently no settlements with any of the trades that the GBCA bargains with. Negotiation meetings have been scheduled for tomorrow.

Check Labor Link frequently for updates.

This information is for PA contractors working in New Jersey. These are the updated settlements for that region.

The Building Contractors Association of NJ (BCANJ) has been successful in deferring scheduled increases, modifying some of the collective bargaining agreements and developing special “market recovery” agreements for specific types of projects and markets.  Details of agreements below.

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The GBCA Labor Policy committee met on April 28th to discuss the status of labor negotiations. At this time all negotiating teams are meeting and are bargaining in good faith.

Updates on negotiations will be posted on the LaborLink site at regular intervals.

Contracts Not Settled:

Carpenters  – No settlement as of April 28, 2010

Cement Masons – No settlement as of April 28, 2010

Laborers – No settlement as of April 28, 2010

Operating Engineers – No settlement as of April 28, 2010

Rodsetters – No settlement as of April 28, 2010 (contract end on June 30)

Common Questions for GBCA members in the event of a strike:

Q. Will a sub-contractor (non-member) who signed retroactive be able to work on my project and not be in violation of the GBCA bylaws?

A. Yes the non-member sub-contractor can work on a member site but is encouraged not to.

Q. What about members who are working carpenters under an international agreement are they permitted to continue to work?

A. Yes they can work only if their local is not on strike.  For example, New Jersey carpenters are not on strike.

April 28, 2010

To             Active, Associate & Independent Contractors

From       Walter P. Palmer, 3^rd President & CEO

Subject:            LABOR NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

At this time negotiations are ongoing, productive and progress is being made towards an agreement.  Although April 30^th is still several days away and many outcomes are possible, it is vital that all GBCA Members and Independent Contractors are clear on the status of negotiations and the conduct as a member of the Bargaining Unit.

Still unresolved are the Carpenters, Cement Masons, Operating Engineers, and Laborers which contracts terminate April 30, 2010 and the Rodsetters, whose contract terminates on June 30, 2010. All of these teams are meeting and have dates set to meet throughout the week, with the exception to the Rodsetters which will commence negotiations at a later date.

The Labor Policy Committee discussed many scenarios as this deadline of April 30^th approaches. If there is a work stoppage, by one or more trades, the GBCA is encouraging all projects that can safely open to do so. The GBCA is recommending separate gates so trades with agreements can continue to work while others continue to bargain. The Association is asking all signatory contractors who have sub contractors who have signed retroactive not to permit them to work on these projects. Remind those who have signed retroactive that our bargaining teams are working to protect their interest as well.  Failure of any signatory contractor not following these recommendations erodes the bargaining position of the GBCA and ultimately hurts future efforts in the industry.  Of course this is only if there is a work stoppage.

GBCA is prepared to speak to any owner, architect or contractor who is concerned about their job and its progress. Our decisions and agreements today have a long lasting affect on owner’s ability to build in the future. It is important that the industry works in concert for the most effective and efficient contracts in the industry.

WPP3/rr

According to the Philadelphia Business Journal, a tentative four-year agreement was reached Tuesday night between Temple University Hospital and striking employees from the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, according to union and hospital officials.

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April 7, 2010

Carpenters Metropolitan District Council
1803 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19130

Dear Ed:

We remain deeply concerned about the current state of the economy and the dwindling market share of union construction in our region.  We are also concerned about customer fears of a possible work stoppage that further deteriorate the image of union construction and grow increasingly worse as we bargain without resolution right up to the deadline. With this in mind and as a group, we have discussed the issues that are of vital importance to our current negotiations.

We are requesting a two year freeze in wage and fringe payments.

We are ready to address all concerns through active and productive negotiations that are in the best interest of our industry.   In an effort to further promote industry harmony and positive public perception between labor and management, we would hope that we can reach an early settlement, prior to the April 30, 2010 contract expiration date.  We are willing and available to negotiate anytime between now and the final day of this agreement on April 30, 2010.

GBCA – Patrick Pasquariello, Mack Stulb, Mark Spadaccino

IFCA – Tom Clerkin, Frank Lutter, Gary Blaszczyk

click above to view Letter

download PDF

April 7, 2010

Laborers District Council of the Metropolitan Area of Philadelphia and Vicinity
665 North Broad Street, 3rd Floor
Philadelphia, Pa 19123

Dear Mr. Boyer:
We remain deeply concerned about the current state of the economy and the dwindling market share of union construction in our region.  We are also concerned about customer fears of a possible work stoppage that further deteriorate the image of union construction and grow increasingly worse as we bargain without resolution right up to the deadline. With this in mind and as a group, we have discussed the issues that are of vital importance to our current negotiations.

We are requesting:

• A two year freeze in wage and fringe payments.
• A new Drug Policy & Program.
• A competitive adjustment in the counties and other proposed language changes as discussed in previous meetings.

We are ready to address all concerns through active and productive negotiations that are in the best interest of our industry.   In an effort to further promote industry harmony and positive public perception between labor and management, we would hope that we can reach an early settlement, prior to the April 30, 2010 contract expiration date.  We are willing and available to negotiate anytime between now and the final day of this agreement on April 30, 2010.

GBCA – David Panichi and Jim Dolente

EBA – Freddie Chiarlanza

click above to view Letter

download PDF

According to the Inquirer, New Jersey’s public employee labor unions, long seen as a potent political force and often depicted as an 800-pound gorilla looming over the Statehouse, are running short of friends in Trenton.

Gone is Gov. Jon S. Corzine, who regularly sided with unions. In his place stands Gov. Christie, a Republican who has sharply criticized labor’s influence, leadership, and benefits.

Public labor unions have found no refuge among Democrats, their traditional allies. Democratic labor leaders in the Legislature have been among the most vocal supporters of cuts to government benefits, saying taxpayers can no longer afford the perks.

… Read More