Contemporary Labor Issues

Project Labor Agreement Signed for $1.8 Billion in LAX Improvements

John See — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:10:37 -0400

The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners voted July 7 to include some $1.8 billion in projects related to the first phase of Los Angeles International Airport Capital Improvement Program under Los Angeles World Airports' (LAWA) existing project labor agreement, LAWA announced.

Judge approves rules that fight misclassification of independent contractors

John See — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:49:29 -0400

An administrative law judge has given Minnesota the green light to pursue its crackdown on the fraudulent misclassification of workers in the construction industry.

Bricklayer takes helm at Minneapolis Building Trades

John See — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:39:41 -0400

Mike Hawthorne will be the new business manager for the Minneapolis Building and Construction Trades Council, effective July 1, following the resignation of David Ybarra II. Hawthorne is a 25-year member of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 Minnesota/North Dakota. Ybarra announced his resignation after winning election June 10 as business manager of Sprinkler Fitters Local 417.

Carpenters needed on "Homes for Our Troops" project

John See — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:34:16 -0400

SGT Marcus Kuboy joined the Minnesota National Guard 3 years ago and since joining has been on active duty for most of that time. In March, 2007, Marcus was wounded in a humvee explosion while serving in Iraq. Now, the Homes for Our Troops program, in conjunction with Minnesota Building Trades unions and Reiling Construction, is building SGT Kuboy a house in Woodbury. Carpenters are needed during the weekend of June 27-29 for the framing, roofing, and windows installation.

Commentary: Prevailing wage benefits workers, contractors and taxpayers

John See — Tue, 20 May 2008 12:32:50 -0400

It is a policy that places value on a highly skilled and productive workforce. It is a policy that promotes safe, high-quality construction projects. It is a policy that promotes the use of local contractors and local workers. Prevailing Wage does all this while making sure the state doesn't pay more than the typical rate on construction projects. By Dick Anfang and Gary Thaden

Every $1 Billion Spent on Rebuilding Infrastructure Creates 42,000 Jobs

John See — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:27:03 -0400

Too often, the only time lawmakers think seriously about rebuilding our nation's aging and crumbling infrastructure is after a disaster like the collapse of a bridge in Minneapolis or the destruction of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. Then a few months later, the issue is pushed back to make way for less-expensive priorities.

Conference focuses on the 'crisis of disinvestment'

John See — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:23:20 -0400

Rising unemployment and health care costs, struggling schools and communities, broken levees and falling bridges – as the U.S. and Minnesota fail to invest in the future, the quality of life declines.

The University of Minnesota Labor Education Service is sponsoring a conference to analyze this problem – and discuss strategies for building a movement to reinvest.

Governor vetoed jobs and opportunity, labor leaders say

John See — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:38:12 -0400

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty announced line item vetoes cutting $208 million from the $925 million bonding bill passed by the state Legislature, cuts that labor leaders say also vetoed jobs and opportunity. The bonding bill authorizes the state to borrow funds for capital improvements to public infrastructure throughout the state.

Dick Anfang, president of the Minnesota State Building & Construction Trades Council, said he was "very disappointed" in the governor's announced list of line-item vetoes. "This will negatively affect Minnesota's ability to come back from the recession," he said. "This negatively affects Building Trades workers from the northern border to the southern border and the eastern border to the western border."

"Construction Chart Book: The U.S. Construction Industry and its Workers" available April 1

John See — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:45:11 -0400

Published by The Center for Construction Research and Training, "The Construction Chart Book," now in its fourth edition, marks the 10th year since it was first published in 1997. This fourth edition uses updated statistics to characterize the changing construction industry and its workers in the United States, monitor the impact of such changes on worker safety and health, and identify priorities for safety and health interventions in the future. It can ordered as a hard copy for $15, or it can be downloaded for free.

Appeal Allows Lawsuits by Ground Zero Workers

John See — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:18:27 -0400

A federal appeals court’s ruling appears to have cleared the way for thousands of lawsuits filed against New York City and its contractors by ground zero workers to move closer to trial or settlement.