Word went out Monday morning: The workers who operate New
York City's cranes might be going on strike.
“Our last meeting before our agreement expires [Monday] at
midnight ended today without an agreement,” Paul O’Brien, managing director of
the Building Contractors Association, wrote in an email to members that was
acquired by Capital. “Each union's members are therefore free to strike
tomorrow, and you should be prepared for that possibility.”
The B.C.A. represents more than 300 construction companies,
including some of the biggest in the city, like Skanska, Tishman, Structuretone
and Gotham. While the unions they were negotiating with have settled contracts
with other groups, including the General Contractors Association, the contract
Locals 14 and 15 have with the B.C.A. expires Monday at midnight.
O’Brien had no further comment, but industry sources say
negotiations broke down Monday morning.
The unions represent operators of cranes, construction site
elevators called hoists, excavators and other heavy equipment.
Neither union responded to requests for comment.
Not only do the unions want changes to their about-to-expire
2011 contract but, according to an industry source with knowledge of the talks,
they “want to roll back 2011 changes.”
More precisely, the unions want to create more “master
mechanic” jobs, which the Daily News described in 2011 as, "at best,"
little more than a "union shop steward," one that got a base salary
of $135,000 a year (without overtime).
And the unions want to retain control of elevator operations
in buildings where construction is ongoing, rather than allow contractors to
work with elevator operators represented by union 32BJ, whose workers get paid
a more moderate salary.
If the unions strike, sources say construction work would
slow down at sites like the World Trade Center (where there are union hoist
operators) and 30 Park Place (formerly known as 99 Church), where Larry
Silverstein is building a Four Seasons Hotel and condos.
Neither Silverstein Properties nor Tishman Construction,
which is managing construction for those sites, had any comment.
The unions’ stance on cost-saving efforts could,
theoretically, have repercussions beyond the handful of sites where work
slow-downs would begin.
They control a good portion of the crane operating licenses
in New York City (the source involved in the negotiations said they have a
majority). Building and Construction Trades Council president Gary LaBarbera
“is trying to negotiate a deal for the mayor's affordable housing package and
these guys are the one union that's not cooperating with him,” said one real
estate industry source.
LaBarbera had no comment. Nor did Mayor Bill de Blasio's
office.
Source: Capital
New York
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