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The Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters supports Operating Engineers Locals 302 and 612.
Despite Operating Engineers Local 302's efforts to raise standards for Concrete Pump Truck Operators the Washington and Northern Idaho District Council of Laborers have decided to interject themselves into the conflict. The Carpenters rebuffed these companies overtures to sign agreements with them at rates below the area standard. We will never forget all that the Operating Engineers have done in solidarity with other trades. It is extremely unsettling that the Laborer's agreement is reputed to have replaced a defined benefit pension with an inadequate 401-K. How long will it be before employers come after every craft's pension in negotiations? If they do, we will have the Laborers District Council leadership to thank. How many rank and file Laborers know that their leadership has quietly undermined their own pensions? Why weren't the Pump Truck Operators allowed to vote on their own contract? Was the agreement created with no input from the Pumpers? Shame on the Laborers for stooping to this level. There are many fine people represented by the Laborers. They deserve better leadership than this. There are many fine people that work for LIUNA in Western Washington. They deserve better leadership than this. They should stop and consider what they are doing before it is too late. They are about to set in motion events that they cannot hope to control and that will have nationwide implications for Building Trades unions, their members and contractors.
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