The Laborers’ District Council recently issued the attached letter as a friendly, though very serious, warning to any contractor who might consider signing any contract (Utility or Road) with Operating Engineers, Local 324 (OE 324). The letter was initially addressed to MITA, but will also be sent directly to ALL contractors across the state with whom the Laborers’ have a Utility or Road contract.
OE 324 has recently been sending out “self-authored” contracts that were developed internally by the leadership of the union and without any negotiations whatsoever with the industry. This “bait and switch” scam effort makes the contract look very similar to the recently expired MITA Utility and Road Agreements, and it includes a cover letter requesting that contractors “sign and return immediately”. In both agreements (Utility and Road), OE 324 has expanded its own jurisdiction by claiming work categories that is currently in the Laborers’ Agreements (as well as Teamsters’ Agreements), thus the reason for the Laborers’ Contribution Obligation Liability Notice.
The warning from the Laborers’ is valid and should be considered seriously by any contractor who may be reviewing any proposed contract with the OE 324. The Laborers’ threat to pursue “double paid” contributions is real and has been upheld in numerous court rulings.
Click hereto read the Laborers’ letter.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mike Nystrom, Executive Vice President, at mikenystrom@thinkmita.org or by calling 517-896-1493.
