Contract Negotiations Update

Informed sources say that the District Council of Carpenters and the Contractors Associations have tentatively agreed to a new five-year contract that calls for a 5-percent reduction in wage and benefits in the first year.

Currently union carpenters earn $85.03 per hour in wages and benefits, after giving back a $2.13 contractual raise on January 1, 2011.

The tentative agreement calls for an immediate $4.25 per hour give-back, on top of the $2.13 give-back, totaling 7.5 percent or $6.38 in wage reductions.

The "huge give-backs will set wage and benefit levels back to approximately 2008 if the agreement is ratified by the council delegates," the source said. 

Negotiations for the carpenters are being led by Frank Spencer, who was appointed in 2009 by the general president of United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America to oversee the district council after several of its officials were indicted for bribery. He's negotiating new deals with a half dozen contractor associations. Current rules forbid the 25,000 members of the carpenters union from ratifying their contract.

On April 21, 2011 Spencer said “that the District Council will not consider any proposal that includes a reduction in wages." 

A source familiar with the negotiations says the tentative agreement also calls for returning the $2.13 per hour give-back, with increases of $0.42 cents per hour each year, over the five year contract.

On Friday afternoon, several rank-and-file members I spoke with said the District Council should listen to the membership and reject the agreement reached with the Contractors Associations.

"If our wages are cut and stay the same for the next 5 years, while prices go up, that means our purchasing power is steadily going down. If we can’t buy as much 5 years from now as we can today, then our standard of living has gone down, the union should reject it. When they say, "give back," I say fight back," said an angry carpenter who wanted to remain anonymous.

"Re-up the negotiations till next June 30th - when the EST, President, VP, Delegates and newly created RO positions are filled and all are seated and in place; or does the UBC International fear having the men lead their own affairs under the Council Local system, a member posted.

There has been no official word on the contract agreement, a message posted on the councils website says "the District Council and Contractors Associations have agreed to extend the current terms and conditions of our contracts until Friday August 12, 2011."

(John's note: I suggest you speak with your delegates and call the District Council Monday, tell them you reject any contract that includes a reduction in wages.)