MARBA Chair: Union Tactics Keep Projects On Hold
Wednesday, striking Laborers and Operating Engineers came to an agreement with the Chicago Area Independent Contractors Association on a three-year contract that will give Union members raises of 3.25 percent in each of the next three years. Meanwhile, the Mid-America Regional Bargaining Association and its 300 contractors of all sizes continue to seek an equitable agreement that reflects the economic climate and will return to the bargaining table Monday, July 19.
MARBA Chairman Tom Nordeen released a statement calling for Unions to "step out of the bubble they've been living in the last few years that has shielded them from the harsh realities of this recession. He cites extremely generous health benefits, in addition to pay increases significantly above the cost of living for Laborers and Operators over the last decade.
"It's unrealistic and unfair for the Unions to demand unreasonable increases to their wages and benefits when non-union employees in all sectors of the economy area making tremendous sacrifices just to stay afloat," he stated.
The July 12 bargaining session ended without an agreement after five hours, which served as the lead story in BNA.com's Construction Labor Report.