Posts tagged International Union of Operating Engineers
Editorial: We shouldn’t have to subsidize union jobs with higher utility bills. A terrible idea surfaces in Springfield.
April 11, 2024 // This bill, though, could open the door to unions or utilities (or both) mounting court challenges to ICC rulings not to their liking on the basis of the effect on the jobs of utility contractors. The requirement would be triggered if the commission or any participant in a rate-hike proceeding estimates 50 or more more union jobs hang in the balance of a rate-hike request. This would be terrible policy. Trade unions have no “right” to a set number of permanent jobs provided by regulated monopolies. The utility revenues on which those union jobs depend come not from government but from you, us and everyone else with homes or businesses that need power and heat. Utility bills aren’t taxes technically, but they might as well be. State government plays a crucial role in what heights those bills reach. And we hardly need to point out how difficult it is for so many Illinoisans to pay those monthly costs.
Philly workers got organized in 2023. Look back on this year’s strikes, walkouts, and union campaigns.
December 30, 2023 // As worker organizing activity heated up toward the end of 2022, with new unions and strikes grabbing headlines through the fall, labor leaders predicted 2023 would be an even bigger year for employees seizing on their leverage.
Ex-employee files charges with labor board against Pleasanton company, union
November 16, 2023 // A Pleasanton-based construction company and the union representing a majority of its employees are each facing charges brought by a former, non-union employee alleging that she had membership dues deducted from her paycheck against her will and was effectively terminated from her position for refusing to join the union. Alexandra Le filed the charges with the National Labor Relations Board on Oct. 4 against Construction Training Services and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 3, with Virginia-based attorney Byron Andrus of the National Right to Work Foundation providing legal counsel.
Federal Charge: East Bay-Area Construction Materials Worker Illegally Fired for Refusing to Join Union
October 17, 2023 // The charges state IUOE bosses illegally demanded she join the union as a condition of keeping her job and instigated her firing by CTS when she refused to join. Additionally, Le’s charges maintain that company and union officials violated the law by deducting union dues directly from her paycheck without her permission. Le, a firestop inspector, filed the charges at National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Region 32 in Oakland, CA, with free legal aid from the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation. She notes in her charges that IUOE officials not only failed to inform her of her right to abstain from union membership, but also never notified her of her right to pay a reduced amount of union dues as a nonmember. Because California lacks Right to Work protections for its private sector workers, Le and her coworkers can be forced to pay some dues to the union as a condition of keeping their jobs, even if they’ve abstained from formal union membership. However, as per the Foundation-won CWA v. Beck Supreme Court decision, even in non-Right to Work states union officials can’t force nonmember employees to pay for union expenses beyond what the union claims goes to bargaining, such as union politics
Who will control New Jersey’s ports now that the state has withdrawn from Waterfront Commission?
August 17, 2023 // The commission’s death was a triumph for Gov. Phil Murphy, whose administration took the fight to the U.S. Supreme Court, and his allies in the International Longshoremen’s Association, the maritime labor union that has controlled hiring at the port for decades. In late July, Murphy traveled to the union’s international convention in Hollywood, Fl. to celebrate the victory and salute the man he calls a “dear friend” and “partner in growing the New Jersey economy,” ILA President Harold J. Daggett. “I am happy to report that as of last Monday, the commission has been officially dissolved,” said Murphy, addressing more than 1,000 cheering union members assembled in the grand ballroom of The Diplomat Beach Resort. “Now we can finally begin to turn the page, and together, I look forward to starting a new chapter at our ports.” Murphy’s speech came a day after a profanity-laced address by Daggett, who promised a “painful” comeuppance for union foes and companies that would attempt to replace workers with automation. He vowed to cripple port commerce next year if the union’s contract demands aren’t met. “Mark my words! There’s going to be an explosion,” Daggett said. “Someone must take the bull by the horns, and that’s me… Don’t f–k with the maritime unions around the world. We will shut you down!”
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.
Unions exert sway in Wisconsin Supreme Court election
April 7, 2023 // The Wisconsin Supreme Court race became the most-expensive state court election in U.S. history, with total spending at around $45 million, nearly three times the amount spent in the previous state judicial race. Protasiewicz’s campaign and her supporters spent at least $24 million on the non-partisan judicial election, compared to her opponent, Dan Kelly, whose campaign and supporters spent $19 million. The reason behind the large fundraising gap may be the influence of labor unions, like the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). A news report noted that labor unions inside and outside of Wisconsin spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to back Protasiewicz. “A Better Wisconsin Together Political Fund, a coalition of labor unions and progressive social advocacy groups, has spent more than $5 million on ad buys,” the report said, “… Major national unions like American Federation of Teachers have contributed $500,000, while the International Union of Operating Engineers PAC has forked over $300,000 to A Better Wisconsin Together.” Labor unions allegedly circumvented the state’s $18,000 direct contributions limit to Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates by pooling funds together as a coalition.
Delaware GFP Mobile Mix Supply driver attacked for opposing the IUOE Local 542 Union
March 21, 2023 // In the charges, Bradigan stated that IUOE union officials threatened to physically attack every worker who opposed union control in a December union meeting. According to the charge, some of the Mobile Mix workers, including Bradigan, went to the union meeting in an attempt to learn more about what union officials were claiming it could obtain for employees at the bargaining table. When they stated that they would not be supporting the union, IUOE union officials became aggressive and began screaming at Bradigan and his coworkers, threatening to fight anyone who refused to support the union.
Equipment maintenance crew votes against unionizing at Ascension St. Vincent
February 24, 2023 // Equipment maintenance workers at Ascension St. Vincent Indianapolis voted against forming a union Friday, the latest failed effort for unions to break into the increasingly consolidated health care industry in Indianapolis.
Chicago union pushes progressive politics
December 19, 2022 // Chicago Local 150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) recently announced that it will financially back mayoral candidate Jesus “Chuy” Garcia – instead of incumbent mayor Lori Lightfoot – with a $1 million commitment. This pledge will triple Garcia’s campaign fund up to about $1.6 million. IUOE Local 150 is the tenth-largest union associated with AFL-CIO. IUOE Local 150 spokesman Ed Maher told local media that the union’s political backing is due to the out-of-control “lawlessness” in the Windy City.