A Message from Business Manager Chris Erikson
Thank God that thousands of members of our Local Union go to work everyday, but yet unfortunately, too many are unemployed for too long. That is a hardship. The impact on our Welfare Fund has been devastating. The Union cannot create the work. But we are facing this hardship head on. We have had to modify our agreement when needed to be competitive on every job. New classifications, modifications on ratios, Target Fund money, and most recently the Market Expansion Program for the interior fit-out work have all been helpful in keeping over 85% of our construction membership working. The work-sharing program and the continuing medical coverage that our unemployed need and have are critical for when they are out of work
The organizing efforts and educational program that we have undertaken with our competition are also critical, and our rank and file need to continue to be productive on every job. Our wages and benefits are costly, but we earn them. However, if the job is not successful, the contractor might not be around for the next one.
We have serious challenges and can’t lose sight of the fact that we are a brotherhood and sisterhood, and we are all in this together. We have had cyclical unemployment in our industry throughout our history and have weathered the storms. New day, new challenges. Harry reminded us, “Be kind, everyone you meet is putting up a hard fight.” Stand up for our Local Union. Stick together, and we will weather this storm as well. I don’t even want to think about the alternative – $20 dollars an hour and no benefits – if we don’t.
