The Illinois Heavy Machinery union has decided to go on strike, they say because employers refused to bargain fairly.
"The employers have not engaged in a cooperative spirit for the last two or three years," Ed Maher, Communications Director for Local 150 toldConstruction Dive.
The union is looking to solve problems stemming from COVID-19 protocols and restrictions, with PTO and unpaid time off because of COVID testing being a major concern for which the union submitted a formal unfair labor practice complaint.
“The unfair labor practice complaints have no merit,” Emily MacMillan, a spokesperson for CAAPA told Construction Dive. “They are moving through the Labor Board process and we will make our case at the appropriate time.”
CAAPA also alleged unfair labor practices by Local 150, saying they refused to meet for a new contract, ignoring requests until the contract expired on April 30. CAAPA said the union is “currently refusing to put a proposal on the table regarding wages and benefits,” but the union maintained the strike is not about those issues.
CAAPA also denied busing in replacement workers, which the union has alleged.
The strike certainly will affect other construction companies in the area, that will have no say in the matter, and will just have to wait the work stoppage to be resolved.
“It’s not in our interest to delay the construction or delay projects like this,” Maher told Construction Dive. “We’re doing everything we can to work to a resolution here.”
