Laborers, contractors reach contract

Union members of Laborers' Local 309 are back to work at construction projects across the Quad-Cities after a short strike ended with a six-year labor agreement. 

The Laborers reached an agreement a week ago with the Quad-City Builders, which represents dozens of construction companies. The contract includes about a 3.4 percent wage increase, said Brad Long, business manager of Local 309, Rock Island. 

"It's not exactly what we wanted, but it was pretty close," he said Tuesday. "Both sides met in the middle."

The new contract affects about 300 union laborers in the building industry. Two weeks ago, the union staged a five-day strike — its first since 1988. Laborers picketed at area construction jobs and contractor headquarters, creating work stoppages at more than 40 job sites, Long said.

The previous contract expired April 30.

Long said the contractors wanted a longer contract "because there is going to be a lot of construction jobs in the next five years. Now they will understand the cost factor" as they negotiate for lengthy contracts, he added.

Steve Tondi, the president and CEO of Quad-City Builders and of Associated General Contractors, said a six-year agreement also is key with the upcoming construction of a new Interstate 74 bridge. "We're interested in some labor harmony through the new bridge," he said what will be a $1 billion project. 

Due to the type and scope of the work, he expects the bridge job to go to an out-of-town contractor. But it also will create work for all the local trades.

"It will be good for the trades," Tondi added. "What's good for construction is good for the community."

According to Long, the labor agreement includes a $1.40 an hour increase in the first two years and $1.35 an hour for the remaining four years.

Long said the union was on strike "for five long days."

"It's never good to go on strike for either party. Owners don't like it because it puts egg on the contractors' face, which we don't like to do," he said.

Tondi added that a strike " ... affects the owner who is trying to build something at the time and the contractor who is trying to build it for them. But ultimately, who it hurts the most is the guy who didn't get a paycheck for five days ..."

Source: Quad City Times