The Carpenters and Cement Masons approved new contracts Wednesday, providing the first significant break in the largest job dispute involving Twin Cities building trades in 20 years.

Three other unions - the Laborers, Lathers and Operating Engineers - were voting on tentative agreements Thursday, May 24.

As many as 8,000 construction workers have been off the job at various points this month since contracts expired April 30 between 10 unions, Associated General Contractors and a variety of specialized contractor associations. Only one contract was ratified before April 30; it covered only 100 Operating Engineers who do highway work.

Many of the unions have continued working without a contract or under interim agreements, but Painters Locals 61 and 386, Iron Workers Local 512 and Bricklayers Local 1 all remain off the job.

Cement Masons Local 633 walked off the job May 7 but returned to work May 17 after reaching the tentative agreements that members ratified this week.

The Laborers also had walked off the job May 7, but resumed work May 14 after reaching a tentative agreement that members voted on May 17 and May 24.

Financial package falls short
For the first three weeks, the dispute has remained relatively invisible, with picketing taking place only at contractors' shops and selected job sites. On many jobs, the striking unions were 'withholding services,' which means their members don't work but don't picket, either. That allows other trades to remain on the job. In addition, workers covered by project-labor agreements continued working.

Union business representatives say their members basically were holding out for better financial packages.

Several unions rejected initial proposals that offered increases of $1.60 per year for four years. In the building trades, such increases typically are carved up among hourly wages, health insurance, pension and other benefits.

Recent proposals from contractors have increased the financial packages by about 25 cents. For example, the Carpenters approved a three-year commercial, residential and drywall contract that provides increases of $1.85, $1.85 and $1.80. The Cement Masons approved a three-year commercial contract with the same amounts, and a four-year highway/heavy contract with increases of $1.85, $1.85, $1.80 and $1.80.

The job actions are the first widespread strikes among building trades since 1981. That spring, strikes by the Bricklayers and Iron Workers, among others, idled construction for a month. Later, a Carpenters strike shut down job sites for two-and-a-half weeks in July.

A status report :

Bricklayers Local 1. Members rejected a contract proposal April 30, and currently are 'withholding services.' Negotiators met May 14 and 'we're making progress,' said business representative Michael Cook.

Carpenters Locals 87, 851 and 1644 and Pile Drivers Local 1847. Approved the three-year contract covering commercial, residential and drywall work by a vote of 1,631-972 on May 23. Pay increases are retroactive. Carpenters leadership said that if the contract had been rejected, a strike was authorized to begin May 29.

In addition, Carpenters will vote statewide on a highway/heavy contract May 31. An earlier vote May 17 was inconclusive. That four-year proposal offered increases of $1.85, $1.85, $1.80 and $1.80.

Elsewhere in the state, the Carpenters have ratified separate four-year contracts for Rochester and surrounding counties, St. Cloud, Mankato, and western Minnesota. Increases range from $4.55 to $5.60 over the life of the contracts.

Cement Masons Local 633. Ratified the commercial contract May 21 and the highway/heavy contract May 23. Pay is retroactive. Business manager Larry Vee said the contracts also offered language improvements that pay overtime after 8 hours instead of 10, and pay time-and-a-half for Saturday work.

Iron Workers Local 512. On strike as of May 5. The last negotiating session was held May 18. Business representative Rich Frahm said: 'We were not able to get a settlement. In the meantime, it's status quo. We're picketing some projects and withholding services on others.'

Laborers Local 132 and 563. On the job pending the membership vote May 24 in Local 563. Unofficial results showed Local 132 ratified the proposed agreement May 17. That three-year deal offered general increases of $1.65, $1.65 and $1.60.

Lathers Local 190. On the job pending the membership vote May 24. The three-year proposal offers general increases of $1.85, $1.85 and $1.80, said business representative Larry Anderson.

Millwrights Local 548. Members remain on the job.

Operating Engineers Local 49. Members were voting May 24 on a builders contract, on which details were not available. Members rejected a contract with builders on May 5, but they remain on the job, said business manager Fred Dereschuk.

Painters Locals 61 and 386. On strike as of May 1 after members rejected a four-year contract proposal April 25 and 26. However, several rounds of negotiations took place this week, and the locals have scheduled a vote on a painters contract for June 1 and a drywall and sanders contract for June 2. In addition to general increases, disputes have centered on blending contracts so the same language covers St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Business manager Mike Gavanda said members are conducting selective picketing 'wherever they're trying to do our work.'

Plasterers Local 265. The contract expires May 31; the first negotiating session was held May 15.

Michael Kuchta is editor of The Union Advocate, the official publication of the St. Paul Trades and Labor Assembly. This article is updated from one written for the May 23 issue. Used by permission. E-mail The Advocate at: advocate@mtn.org

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