Carpenters union goes on strike

Carpenters Dave Coyer of Uncasville, left, Mike Mileski of Jewett City and Chris Davis of Lisbon picket Monday outside the Intermodel Transportation Center construction site in downtown Norwich.

By JAMES MOSHER

Norwich, Conn. —Three carpenters union locals went on strike Monday, including at sites in Norwich, seeking greater health care benefits, according to picketers.

Members of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America were walking picket lines at a transportation center being built on Norwich’s waterfront as well as at Norwich Free Academy, where a $7.7 million atrium is being constructed. The groups on strike are New London-based Local 24, Hartford-based Local 43, and Fairfield-based Local 210.

A one-year contract recently expired and carpenters are hoping to sign a three-year pact that boosts health benefits, said Ted Szarzynski, a Lisbon resident who is Local 24’s shop steward.

The union is negotiating with an association of contractors, picketers said Monday.

“We took a one-year contract last time because the economy was so bad,” Szarzynski said. “This time we’d like a greater commitment.”

The $22 million transit project is not being delayed because of the walkout, said Bob Mills, executive director of Norwich Community Development Corp., which is overseeing construction. Crews were at work Monday morning although strikers said some steel workers and crane personnel were “honoring” the strike.

“They (the carpenters) are not very active on the site right now,” Mills said. “We expect no delay.”

Carpenters are hoping the strike ends soon.

“Nobody can afford this,” Mike Mileski of Jewett City said while walking the line in front of the transit center.