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| POOL OF QUALIFIED CRAFTSMEN/WOMEN
- When a contractor obtains labor from the Union,
he can request craftsmen/women in the numbers required
for a specific project or situation. He will get
qualified, trained people that are capable of performing
any aspect of the craft. When that project is completed
or circumstances dictate a reduction in the labor
force, he can lay off the necessary number of workers
and they can return to the hall and be placed on
the referral list. He would also have the ability
to recall workers by name within 30 days providing
those workers have not accepted other employment.
PREVAILING WAGE ECONOMIC BENEFITS – The
Union provides a state certified training facility
(Apprenticeship Program). All apprentices are
indentured by the State of Pennsylvania and their
rates are therefore recognized as legitimate on
prevailing wage projects. That means that instead
of paying the posted journeyperson’s rate
for every worker on a project, the contractor
would have the ability to utilize apprentices
on those projects at a recognized lesser rate
which equates to the ability to realize savings
on labor and to bid those projects accordingly.
This allows the contractor to be more competitive
in the bidding process that yields more contract
awards.
BID ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS – The Union has
in place programs that can assist signatory contractors
to be competitive on specific projects. There
is flexibility, in certain situations, to allow
journeyperson/apprentice ratios to be adjusted
to aid in an overall reduction in labor costs
that would allow the contractor to be more competitive.
Project targeting can be used in certain circumstances
to aid the contractor in procuring contract awards.
Various approaches can be used for this purpose.
Market recovery funding can also be utilized to
attain the same goals.
ADMINISTRATIVE COST REDUCTION - Signatory Union
contractors pay fringe contributions on their
employees to a single location monthly. This single
payment structure eliminates the need for multiple
payments to various locations that could save
the contractor time and money.
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| Q. |
If I were to become a signatory
Union contractor, would I be able to retain my current
work force or would the Union insist on providing
me with employees of their choosing? |
| A. |
Any employer who decides to become
a Union contractor would retain their current employees
for as long as they desire. Those employees would
become members of the Union and would enjoy all
of the benefits that the existing members have.
If that employer determines that there is a need
for additional employees, there are certified and
trained craftsmen/women available from the Union.
Conversely, if the employer needs to downsize the
number of people they employ, then they can send
them to the Union for referral to other employment. |
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| Q. |
How much control would the Union
exert in the way I run by business if I were to
become signatory? |
| A. |
None! The function of the Union
is to refer craftsmen/women to the contractor
when they request them. The Union has absolutely
no control in how a contractor runs his or her business,
nor does it want any. The collective bargaining
agreement between the contractor and the Union is
a tool to protect the rights of both the worker
and the employer with regard to terms and conditions
of employment. |
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| Q. |
How can I remain successful and
profitable when I will have to pay the higher Union
wage and benefits to my employees? |
| A. |
It is true that in most cases a
newly signed contractor will experience higher labor
costs than before. The fact is Union craftsmen/women
are well trained and more productive. The quality
of work will be much better than was experienced
before. These facts equate to becoming more competitive
in the marketplace and more profitability. The Union
also has programs in place that aid the contractor
in securing awards and helping them achieve success. |
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| Q. |
As a signatory Union contractor,
what do I have to pay the Union? |
| A. |
Signatory contractors pay nothing
to the Union! As a Union contractor, your responsibilities
are to pay the wages and benefits in effect in the
collective bargaining agreement for your employees.
Your employees, who are Union members, will be required
to pay dues to the Union, not you. |
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| Q. |
Do I have to get the permission
of the Union to work overtime and does the Union
tell me who I have to put on overtime work? |
| A. |
No, as a signatory contractor, you
make those decisions the way you want. The Union
does not interfere with your management rights. |
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Union Contacts:
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Bill McGee, Local 23 Business Manager |
| Union Address: |
8926 Jonestown Road, Grantville, PA 17028 |
| Union Phone: |
(717) 930-0922 |
| Union Fax: |
(717) 930-0925 |
| Office Hours: |
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
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