The union representatives in our community are making it sound like this PLA is good for everyone, but that isn't true. If you read it carefully, you'll realize that it cuts most local construction workers out of this project by limiting the number of non-union workers on any project to 7 at the most, 5 for most open-shop (non-union) companies. Those companies must then hire unknown union workers to staff the rest of the project while their employees sit home.
At the harbor district meeting tonight, friends and neighbors will be forced to line up against each other, with union members fighting for this PLA and non-union workers just asking for fair and equal opportunity to participate in this project.
There is a better way. The State Building and Construction Trades Council of California President Chris Hannan can ask the Harbor District to pull this PLA and let the community—union, non-union, tribal members, workforce development folks and more develop a version that is fair for ALL construction and trade workers in Humboldt County. And he can promise his union will continue to support the Harbor District’s grant funding requests while they do it. They are afraid if they don't pass this PLA tonight, the union will go out against their funding request.
Chris Hannan doesn't have to live with what happens at the Harbor District's meeting tonight. But we do.
Re: “Harbor District to Talk Labor Agreement Amid Request for Delay”
The union representatives in our community are making it sound like this PLA is good for everyone, but that isn't true. If you read it carefully, you'll realize that it cuts most local construction workers out of this project by limiting the number of non-union workers on any project to 7 at the most, 5 for most open-shop (non-union) companies. Those companies must then hire unknown union workers to staff the rest of the project while their employees sit home.
At the harbor district meeting tonight, friends and neighbors will be forced to line up against each other, with union members fighting for this PLA and non-union workers just asking for fair and equal opportunity to participate in this project.
There is a better way. The State Building and Construction Trades Council of California President Chris Hannan can ask the Harbor District to pull this PLA and let the community—union, non-union, tribal members, workforce development folks and more develop a version that is fair for ALL construction and trade workers in Humboldt County. And he can promise his union will continue to support the Harbor District’s grant funding requests while they do it. They are afraid if they don't pass this PLA tonight, the union will go out against their funding request.
Chris Hannan doesn't have to live with what happens at the Harbor District's meeting tonight. But we do.