Apr
2013 29
2013 29
UA Local 669 Loses Member Who Was First Responder in West, TX Explosion
Sad news came down labor’s mountain this morning when the Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD) of the AFL-CIO announced the death of United Association (UA) Local 669 member Morris Bridges in a statement by President Sean McGarvey. Bridges, a sprinklerfitter, was a volunteer first responder on the scene of the horrifying West,...
Apr
2013 29
2013 29
MD Casino Not Only Being Built Under PLA, Will Employ Unionized Workers in Permanent Jobs
Nearly a month after the announcement that the new Horseshoe Casino in Maryland would be built under a worker-friendly Project Labor Agreement (PLA), cause for celebratation doubled down with the announcement that a deal brokered by UNITE HERE to unionize jobs at the casino is nearing completion. The $375 million dollar casino, which will be ...
Apr
2013 26
2013 26
IUPAT DC 35 Reaches Out for Support for 18-Year Old Girl Injured in Boston Bombings
The International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 35 family is coming together to help a brother whose family was directly affected by the Boston Marathon bombings: Celeste and Sydney Corcoran, were badly injured in the blasts at the Boston Marathon on 4/15/13. Sydney, 18, suffered severe injuries and deep arterial...
Apr
2013 26
2013 26
Pair of Assembly Bills to Protect the Prevailing Wage Move Through California Committee
In California, two bills that would protect and expand the state’s prevailing wage law have been approved by their House committees. Both bills were sponsored by the State Building and Construction Trades Council and moved through along party lines with all Democrats in favor and all Republicans opposed. The two bills are: Assembly Bill 302,...
Apr
2013 24
2013 24
ABC Waterproofer and Contractor With History of Violations Responsible for Death of Two in Tennessee
Two workers were killed and another injured when a 25-foot wall collapsed in Hendersonville, TN on April 18th. The Tennessee Division of Occupational Safety and Health is now investigating the incident which The Tennessean describes: The accident killed Joel Pineda Muniz, 24, of Nashville, and Bethpage resident Jose P. Velasco-Sanagustin, 37. A...
Apr
2013 22
2013 22
Highlights from BCTD President Sean McGarvey’s Opening Remarks at National Legislative Conference
Today marked the beginning of the 2013 Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD) National Legislative Conference in Washington, DC. The conference brings together construction trades union leaders and members from around the country to participate in workshops and hear guest speakers. This year’s speakers include Senators Michael...
Apr
2013 22
2013 22
Teamsters to Form Human Shield Around Boston Bombing Victim’s Funeral Keeping Westboro Baptist Out
A heartwarming action taking place in Medford, MA this morning. Via Teamster Nation: Hundreds of Boston Teamsters from Local 25 are answering the call to protect Krystle Campbell’s funeral from a possible protest by Westboro Baptist church members. Campbell, 29, was killed in the Boston Marathon bombings. Hundreds of Teamsters formed a solid...
Apr
2013 19
2013 19
MO Building Trades Elect First Female President; KY Building Trades Pres. Named State Secretary of Labor
MISSOURI State Senator Gina Walsh has been unanimously elected the new President of the Missouri State Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO. She becomes the first women to hold the position. She currently also serves as the Minority Caucus Secretary in the state senate. Missouri has recently become a hotbed in the war on workers ...
Apr
2013 19
2013 19
AFT Report Highlights Hedge Fund Managers Who Secretely Work to Undermine Pensions
A new report from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) lists 34 executives at hedge funds and investment firms who help make contributions to or are leaders of organizations with a negative view on traditional pensions. In naming these executives the union is hoping to persuade other unions to stop investing the flow of pension ...
Apr
2013 17
2013 17
Washington State Coal Export Facility PLA Will Create 1,350 Jobs, $70M in Wages, $5M in Tax Revenue
Construction of a new coal export facility in Washington state will be done under a community-friendly Project Labor Agreement (PLA) entered into between the Australian-based Millennium Bulk Terminals and the Longview/Kelso Building and Construction Trades Council (BCTC). The new facility is expected to support 1,350 direct jobs, create $70...
Apr
2013 16
2013 16
Insulators are Among Seven Unions Pulling $1B in Pension Funds from Royal Bank of Canada Over Outsourcing Scandal
Seven unions in Canada have announced that they will pull over $1 billion in pension funds from Royal Bank of Canada Investor Services if their parent company proceeds with a plan to outsource information technology jobs. In a letter sent to Royal Bank of Canada, representatives of the B.C. Insulators Union announced their intentions. The ...
Apr
2013 16
2013 16
CEO Supplies Resounding Endorsement of California’s SB7, the Pro-Prevailing Wage Bill
In California, Senate Bill 7 looks to end the practice of charter cities skirting prevailing wage requirements by making funds for public works projects available only if a city has a policy of requiring contractors to comply with the state’s prevailing wage law. The common wisdom might indicate that labor would support the measure and ...
