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NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Labor Labor 1! NO DECISION YET FHWA DENIES MARYLAND RIGHT TO ON CARPENTERS USE LABOR PACT ON WILSON BRIDGE THE 24th biennial ARXHO CONVEN- tion is over. The gathering in Las Vegas IN THE LATEST TWIST IN Dec. 3-6 may be remembered more for the battle over labor re­ quirements for federally funded construction proj­ I what didn’t happen than for what did: The anticipated reconciliation with the carpenters’ union did not occur. ects, the Federal Highway As expected, the 1,000 delegates un­ Administration has denied animously re-elected AFL-CIO President J. Sweeney to another four-year Maryland’s request to man­ date a union-supported 1 John term. Sweeney was first elected in 1995 project labor agreement and re-elected in 1997. The delegates also on the biggest contract for approved a resolution requiring each the $2.5-billion Woodrow union to allocate 30% of its revenue to Wilson bridge and inter­ internal oiganizing efforts. Members also change project, near Wash­ struck a new position on immigration, ington, D.C. endorsing for the first time amnesty for On Dec. 7 FHWA ruled } 1».> millions of illegal immigrants. It was only

I that state officials did not 1 T- IW last year that the labor federation started prove that the labor pact reaching out to immigrants in an effort “would provide the bene­ » to revit^ize lagging membership rolls. fits claimed in Maryland’s I;’ But months ago, AFL-CIO leaders said the December meeting was the dead­ submissions.” The govern­ ment’s action further k' ’ line for a final decision on whether the clouds an already uncer- 525,000-member carpenters’ union would tain situation. On Nov. 7, a federal judge ruled Presi- M a reaffiliate. In March, the carpenters with­ drew from the federation, a move which dent George W. Bush over- g also required the union to cease all activ­ stepped his authority in ities with the AFLCIO’s Building and Con­ FelS^y when he is^ed ■i struction Trades Dept Carpenters Presi­ an executive order pro- t'J- , i dent Douglas McCarron cited differences hibiting project labor with federation leadership as a key reason agreements on federally for the union’s departure. funded construction work. The withdrawal was a blow to the AFL- The U.S. Justice Dept says CIO, particularly its treasury, which loses it will appeal. an estimated $4 million in annual dues. Maryland officials are ' In May, BCTD President Edward C. Sulli­ reviewing the 38-page L,'. ' van held out an olive branch of sorts to FHWA opinion and^sess- McCarron, creating a task force to hold mg their options, ^ere wgr h talks aimed at reuniting the carpenters pretty much in a holding BEs’ [f with the labor federation. McCarron and pattern,” says a state DOT WOBHHB Foundations continue while labor pact stalls. Sweeney both said they would partici­ spokesman. pate in the talks that were set to culmi­ Congress has authorized $1.6 billion open-shop Associated Builders and Con- nate at the December convention (ENR in federal aid for the project, on which tractors. ABC President and GEO Kirk 5/14 p. 12). construction has begun. Maryland and Pickerel contends that “Maryland’s ratio- Instead, a decision has been put off Virginia have pledged $200 million each nale was weak” and it was “aimed at pleas­ until midJanuary. Union sources say that and will cover additional costs incurred ing labor unions.” Sweeney requested the delay after some I on their portions of the job. Maryland is But construction unions blasted the scheduled meetings with McCarron nev­ responsible for contracts for the bridge decision. It is “completely phony and er took place because of Sept 11 events. itself, plus two major interchange up- politicized,” says AFL-CIO Building and Others say the carpenters are not expect­

JI grades on its side of the Potomac River. Construction Trades Dept. President ed to rejoin and Sweeney did not want to Virginia is in charge of contracts for two Edward C. Sullivan. “The so-called ‘re­ be embarrassed at a national conven­ interchanges on its side of the river. view’ of the agreement was driven by the tion. Even before FHWA’s decision was administration’s friends in the anti-labor Building trades leaders say they are issued, the superstructure contract’s bid construction community. We don’t be- encoun^^ that the discussions are con­ & opening already had been rescheduled lieve the Bush administration had any tinuing, but most say they don’t expect twice, from Oct 18 to Nov. 29, and then right to review the agreement in the first the imion to reaffiliate. A spokesman for to Dec. 13. At press time that deadline place.” Sullivan says die unions are Took- the carpenters would only confirm that was still scheduled. ing at our legal and political options.” □ talks are still taking place. □ I FHWA’s ruling was welcomed by the By Sherie VVinston and Tom Ichniowski

12 ENR/DECEMBER 17, 2001

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