Lake Champlain Bridge Project Labor Agreement Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Jeff Potvin
President
Vermont Building and Construction Trades Council
(802) 864-4042, ext. 11
jeff@ualocal693.org

John Donoghue, Jr.
President
Plattsburgh-Saranac Lake Building and Construction Trades of New York
(518) 561-3240
jondon2@hotmail.com

CONSTRUCTION UNIONS, CONTRACTOR AGREE ON PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT FOR LAKE CHAMPLAIN BRIDGE

Chimney Point, Vt./Crown Point, N.Y. – (July 16, 2010) – A coalition of building trade unions from Vermont and upstate New York ratified a private Project Labor Agreement (PLA) with Flatiron Construction, the Colorado-based general contractor that will rebuild the Lake Champlain Bridge.

The first-ever PLA in the North Country will create many construction jobs and comes after months of contentious political debate, particularly in Vermont. Ultimately, Gov. James Douglas (R-Vt.) killed a proposed public PLA that had already been approved by the State of New York and the federal government, respectively, and was awaiting Douglas’ signature. After it became clear Douglas would not budge, unions from both states approached Flatiron about an independent agreement, which was finalized June 18.

“The PLA will accomplish what Gov. Douglas was sadly unwilling to do – guarantee local residents an opportunity to land a job on this $70 million project,” said Vermont Building and Construction Trades Council President Jeff Potvin. “Labor will not be imported from elsewhere to build one of the largest infrastructure projects in our region’s history. The general contractor stands to save up to $3 million because of a PLA – cost savings that could have been realized by taxpayers if our Governor had done the right thing.”

A pact between the general contractor, subcontractors and the building trade unions, the PLA defines acceptable pre-hire terms and conditions of employment on the job. Wages, benefits, schedules, safety expectations and work rules are standardized up front to facilitate the smooth completion of the initiative on time, on budget and without strikes or lockouts. PLAs are common throughout the country and foster a positive community impact by containing hire-local provisions, training and outreach programs.

Flatiron will self-perform a large portion of the project with its own employees, some in-house and some who will be hired through the applicable union hiring hall. Under the terms of the PLA, the individual trade unions are responsible for making employment referrals to the project as needed. Applicants, who will be provided a contact list by Flatiron when inquiring about a job, do not need to be affiliated with any union to be placed on the referral list. Flatiron will request referrals – primarily for the carpentry, ironwork, equipment operation, masonry and general construction specialties – and determine the applicant’s qualifications for employment.

John Donoghue, Jr., president of the Plattsburgh-Saranac Lake Building and Construction Trades of New York, praised the agreement.

“Flatiron clearly recognizes the value of a PLA that will get them the uninterrupted supply of trained, local workers they need and jumpstart the regional economy,” he said. “Because of this socially responsible PLA, motorists will soon drive over the new bridge knowing it was built by their neighbors.”

Demolished in December 2009, the Lake Champlain Bridge connected Chimney Point, Vt., and Crown Point, N.Y. Flatiron expects to complete construction by September 2011.

ABOUT THE VERMONT BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL

Based in South Burlington, the Vermont Building and Construction Trades Council is a coalition of 15 labor unions that collectively represent several thousand construction workers. Its affiliates include UA Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 693, Teamsters Local 597, Carpenters Local 1996, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 300, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 2, and Ironworkers Local 7. The Council promotes a “high road” approach to building that values family-sustaining wages, good benefits, commitment to safety, following the law and equitable treatment of workers.

For more information, contact President Jeff Potvin at (802) 864-4042, ext. 11, or jeff@ualocal693.org.

ABOUT THE PLATTSBURGH-SARANAC LAKE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES OF NEW YORK

Based in Plattsburgh, the Plattsburgh-Saranac Lake Building and Construction Trades Council represents more than 3,000 skilled construction trades workers in Clinton, Essex and Franklin Counties. Its affiliates include Boilermakers Local 5, Bricklayers Local 2 NY/VT, Carpenters Local 1042, Electricians Local 910, Operating Engineers Local 106, Insulators Local 40, Ironworkers Local 12, Laborers Locals 186 and 322, Millwrights Local 1163, Painters District Council 9, Sprinklerfitters Local 669, Roofers Local 241 Sheetmetal Workers Local 83 and Teamsters Local 687.

For more information, contact President John Donoghue, Jr., at (518) 561-3240 or jondon2@hotmail.com.