The ironworkers union agrees to a 15% pay and benefits cut (to remain competitive with nonunion)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ironworkers-union-agrees-a-15-pay-benefits-cut-article-1.1085467

Renegotiates contract in bid to remain competitive with nonunion workers

By Erin Durkin / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Sunday, May 27, 2012, 10:57 PM

Photo: http://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1085466.1338173540!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_635/image.jpg
Robert Sabo/New York Daily News

The rebuilding of the Tappan Zee Bridge, which connects Westchester and Rockland counties, is one of the projects on which ironworkers union hopes its members are used.


The ironworkers union has agreed to take a big cut to pay and benefits in a move that’s likely to shake up development projects around the city.

The Metallic Lathers and Reinforcing Ironworkers Local 46 voted to take a 15% compensation cut — or about $14 an hour less in wages and benefits. The deal was first reported by Crain’s New York.

The union was under pressure because an increasing number of developers are turning to nonunion labor to reduce costs. Union workers worried that major projects, including the Hudson Yards and the rebuilding of the Tappan Zee Bridge, could move to slice them out.

“If we don’t do something, we’re the ones cutting our own throats,” Local 46 business manager Terry Moore told the Daily News. “It’s very difficult to go to the rank and file and say we’re cutting your wages, we’re cutting your benefits. There’s got to be a good reason.”

FULL story at link.