Posts tagged construction
Unemployment rate steady as CT Labor Dept notes massive fraud
July 21, 2023 // The Connecticut Business and Industry Association, meanwhile, did not see many positives to the most recent report. “The June numbers point to the ongoing volatility in Connecticut’s job market while highlighting the challenges we face with resolving the labor shortage crisis,” CBIA CEO Chris DiPentima said in a statement. “Connecticut’s year-over-year job growth is now just 1.2%, well below the national average of 2.5%, and among the slowest of all states.” DiPentima also pointed to continued declines in the state’s overall workforce, something the organization highlighted last month. The number of people working in the state has declined since last year and while the CBIA does not know exactly why that is, they say it poses a concern for business leaders in the state who may not be able to fill open positions. All of this comes just one day after the Department of Labor issued an alert to Connecticut residents saying that they have found nearly 75% of unemployment claims to be the result of fraud. These fraudulent claims, they say, are the result of identity theft, and consumers in the state should be on alert for any changes to their credit reports. If you do notice fraud, you are urged to report it. You should also report to the department if you receive a tax form from them but did not file for unemployment benefits.
San Jose recycling drivers allege union busting
May 10, 2023 // With a staff of less than 100 people, the family-owned business has subcontracted with local governments and prolific developers to help bring major Bay Area developments to life, from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara to Santana Row and San Jose Mineta International Airport’s Terminal B. Castillo is one of up to 20 drivers for the company who haul construction materials from major development sites. The drivers voted to join the Teamsters Local 853 last year after allegations of payroll issues and unsafe working conditions were not addressed. In July, the drivers will have to vote again to keep their union.
Union announces deal to end weeklong strike that affected St. Louis-area construction projects
May 8, 2023 // The union’s prior agreement expired Monday and heavy equipment operators represented by the union walked off job sites for much of the week, affecting projects including a major investment in the Procter and Gamble plant in north St. Louis. Other strikers picketed the ongoing expansion of the America’s Center convention complex downtown.
Local unions worried about Bills stadium work going to out-of-town contractors, workers
February 23, 2023 // Supporters of the use of precast concrete panels say they help speed up construction, reduce site disruption and can trim project costs since they require fewer workers to install. Erie County and state officials have said they expect up to 10,000 people put to work on stadium construction. The precast concrete panels, placed by cranes, are likely being used as a result of a national labor shortage because they do not require the use of as many trades people, Williamson said. But with the help of apprentices, there would be enough local workers to complete hand-laid brick on the stadium's exterior, he added. “To try to design a building and build a schedule around what they think is a labor shortage is not right and missing the whole point of having local labor doing the work,” he said.
11 Plead Guilty in Construction Union Bribery Scheme
December 23, 2022 // Cahill was the ring leader of the scheme, accepting envelopes stuffed with cash in restaurant restrooms from a construction contractor whose name was not revealed by the attorney’s office. Cahill introduced the contractor to many of the 10 others who pleaded guilty. Some of the other union officials accepted anywhere from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars in illegal payments. Cahill also directed the contractor on how to win union favors yet not have to hire union workers. According to the attorney’s office, the contractor would pay the bribes to the union officials to win projects in the jurisdiction of Steamfitters Local 638 in New York City and Long Island and Plumbers Local Union 200 in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Sens. Braun, Burr, Thune, and Rep. Foxx Lead Republican Colleagues in Urging Department of Labor to Protect Independent Contractor Classification
December 19, 2022 // Senators Braun, Burr and Thune are leading a bicameral letter with Rep. Foxx (R-N.C.) urging the Department of Labor (DOL) not to move forward with its proposed rule for determining independent contractor classification due to the negative impact on workers and business, the test’s lack of clarity and the devastating consequences for the U.S. economy. They are joined by Sens. Hagerty, Romney, T. Scott, Cramer, Johnson, Barrasso, Cassidy, Lankford, Marshall, Hoeven, Blackburn, Boozman, Tuberville, Young, Lummis, Lee, R. Scott, Inhofe, Graham, Fischer, Ernst, Shelby, and Rounds as well as Reps. Wilson, Thompson, Walberg, Grothman, Stefanik, Allen, Banks, Comer, Fulcher, Keller, Miller-Meeks, Owens, Good, McClain, Harshbarger, Miller, Spartz, Fitzgerald, Steel, and Pete Sessions.
Railroad workers aren’t the only Americans without paid sick days
December 2, 2022 // While the vast majority of union members have paid sick days, the freight railroad workers do not. Among other demands, they have been threatening to strike in order to get paid sick days that are not in the current contracts. The railroads say that workers can use personal time if they need a sick day. But the unions argue that with current staffing levels and scheduling rules, it’s difficult for workers to have personal days approved, and they are likely to be penalized or even fired if they call in sick anyway.
Construction and Taxpayer Coalitions Opposes Biden’s Pro-Project Labor Agreement Proposal
October 21, 2022 // “The proposal will injure competition and increase costs on taxpayer-funded construction contracts included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 and other measures passed by Congress that fund public works contracts without government-mandated PLA requirements or PLA preferences. The coalition’s website, BuildAmericaLocal.com, features a grassroots campaign and a number of educational resources such as studies, op-eds, letters, talking points and a social media kit exposing problems with government-mandated PLAs and the Biden administration’s policies promoting anti-competitive and inflationary PLA schemes. The letter was signed by the following organizations: American Concrete Pumping Association American Fire Sprinkler Association American Pipeline Contractors Association American Road & Transportation Builders Association Associated Builders and Contractors Business Coalition for Fair Competition Construction Industry Round Table HR Policy Association Independent Electrical Contractors National Association of Home Builders National Black Chamber of Commerce National Federation of Independent Business National Precast Concrete Association National Ready Mixed Concrete Association National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association National Utility Contractors Association Plastics Pipe Institute Power and Communication Contractors Association Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute Security Industry Association Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Shakeup Of Teamsters Local 492 In New Mexico Continues As Hollywood’s Teamsters Local 399 Takes Over Its Film Jurisdiction
August 31, 2022 // Their resignations come in the wake of last week’s announcement, first reported by Deadline, that following an investigation and audit of Local 492’s financial records, the executive board of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters had transferred Local 492’s jurisdiction over film and TV production in the state to Hollywood’s Teamsters Local 399. Sources tell Deadline that prior to the takeover, Local 492’s movie division had been run like a “dictatorship” in a state that has become a major production hub thanks to its generous tax incentives program. Local 399 has long preserved its jurisdiction over film and television work in the 13 Western States through its “Black Book” agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
Construction strike ends after unanimous vote; road projects may restart soon
July 28, 2022 // Several members of Local 150 had an in-person vote at noon Tuesday. A tentative agreement was reached and it ended the strike. It is unknown when several road projects may start up again. The strike began on June 7 when about 300 heavy equipment operators, who are members of Local 150 and who work in Chicago area quarries went on strike claiming unfair labor practices against three companies that produce construction material. heavy equipment operators