Red River Floodway Master Labour Agreement

[tibear]

Check this out from a local radio station news item today:


Head of Heavy Construction livid

The Head of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association is livid at the securing of a Master Labour Agreement for construction of the floodway expansion project.

Chris Lorenc is out of the country, but he told CJOB for the Floodway Authority to claim everyone is on-side is a stretch to say the least.

He says the Association is upset with the government implying in its release that the Assocation was consulted. He says they were turned away from the negotiating tables as far back as October 18th.

Lorenc says the agreement will cost Manitobans millions of dollars, and will take money out of the pockets of workers to satisfy a quest by the NDP government to pay its union friends, union dues.
It turns out that the "Floodway Authority" unilaterally imposed a Master Labour agreement that included a clause that said all workers where unionized or not would have to pay dues to various unions.

I think the people of Manitoba are getting screwed here and the government is "stealing" money from the pockets of people who have chosen not to join unions and handing it over to their unions friends.

 

[Jay]

"I think the people of Manitoba are getting screwed here and the government is "stealing" money from the pockets of people who have chosen not to join unions and handing it over to their unions friends."

That's an NDP government right?

 

[tibear]

Come on RB & Vanni, its your NDP government behind this. Surely, you have something to say on the matter!!!

 

[Reverend Blair]

RE: Red River Floodway Ma

I'd like to say that I fully support the master agreement governing the floodway agreement. It is the best way to ensure that the project is not delayed due to work stoppages, that all employees are paid equal wages for equal work, that safety standards are met across the board, and that all companies are bidding on an equal job. In short it makes sure that all involved know what they are getting and where they stand.

Master agreements like this aren't unusal on large projects, by the way.

 

[Vanni Fucci]

Yeah...Rev pretty much summed up my thoughts on the matter...

 

[tibear]

Your right master agreements are not unusual for a project of this magnitude. However, what about the part that forces workers who have chosen not to be part of unions to pay dues to various unions.

This is going to add millions to the cost of the project and it is going directly to various unions for workers they don't represent.

If this isn't a direct payoff by the NDP government I don't know what is!!

 

[Jay]

"This is going to add millions to the cost of the project and it is going directly to various unions for workers they don't represent."


Isn't socialism fun?

 

[tibear]

I find it laughable that the left can even TRY to justify this obvious pay-off of unions. It is stealing money from the public purse to directly pay their union buddies.

Exact same situation as the sponsorship scandal. But in this case there isn't even the attempt to hide the fact. They have come out and said that everyone will have to pay union dues regardless of whether they get any representation or not.

Of course these union dues will be added to the cost of construction which is a bill paid by the tax payer!!!

If this was a thread about the government loaning money to big business the NDP'ers on this site would be banging the drums and stomping their feet because they would say that big business should stand on their own two feet. But because it is government money going towards unions they don't have a problem with it, regardless of the fact that these workers don't have a choice and don't get representation.

Typical two-faced situation. They cry when money is going to something they don't agree with but are silent when a situation arises that supports their pet causes.

 

[Reverend Blair]

However, what about the part that forces workers who have chosen not to be part of unions to pay dues to various unions.

They are being represented by those unions for the duration of the project. That representation isn't free. They have a choice, they can choose not to work on the project.

This is going to add millions to the cost of the project and it is going directly to various unions for workers they don't represent.

There is no proof of that. The estimates for non-union work make some assumptions, such as using lesser-trained and untrained employees that would most likely cause work slowdowns, a lack of enforcement of safety regulations, etc. The non-unionized portion of the heavy construction industry in this province has a dismal safety record. How many deaths have there been in the last few years? They also have a long history of coming in way over budget because everbody and his dog has a nephew who wants to drive a cat and public projects allow more easily for cost over-runs.

The master agreement forcing everybody to meet union standards addresses those standards. I solves the nepotism problem, at least as much as is possible, because on the job training is organized. It also guarantees that any union workers on the project will not go out on strike for the duration of the contract.

It also allows the government to deal with one panel representing the project instead of trying to chase down dozens of private contractors, sub-contractors, and yahoos with pick-up trucks.

 

[EagleSmack]

As a former Union Member I can see how a project must have what we call a prevailing wage. That means all contractors do not have to be Union BUT they must pay their people Union wages during that project.

What happens a lot is the Non-Union Contractor will say to his men

"Look guys this is a big job. If we don't get it I may have to lay people off. Are you willing to work below the wage that I am required to pay you and not say anything?"

Most guys will do it because they don't want to lose their job, the guys that don't agree will be fired for "other" reasons.

Then he bids at the prevailing wage rate... shaves off enough to win the job... and pockets the rest.

BUT .... I've never heard of making them pay into the Local Union... that is odd.

 

[Jay]

They are being represented by those unions for the duration of the project. That representation isn't free. They have a choice, they can choose not to work on the project."

And this makes it even more fun....

Of course these union dues will be added to the cost of construction which is a bill paid by the tax payer!!!

And this makes it worth it...

 

[EagleSmack]

They are being represented by those unions for the duration of the project. That representation isn't free. They have a choice, they can choose not to work on the project."

And this makes it even more fun....

Of course these union dues will be added to the cost of construction which is a bill paid by the tax payer!!!

And this makes it worth it...

:lol:

I like your post. You have a sense of humor, unlike some.

 

[Jay]

Thanks

 

[Reverend Blair]

What happens a lot is the Non-Union Contractor will say to his men

"Look guys this is a big job. If we don't get it I may have to lay people off. Are you willing to work below the wage that I am required to pay you and not say anything?"

Careful or tibear will report you for promoting illegal activity.

 

[mrmom2]

Hey Rev they still got that tow rope ski mountain on the floodway in the winter?

 

[EagleSmack]

What happens a lot is the Non-Union Contractor will say to his men

"Look guys this is a big job. If we don't get it I may have to lay people off. Are you willing to work below the wage that I am required to pay you and not say anything?"

Careful or tibear will report you for promoting illegal activity.

:?:

Would you like to clue the world in on what you mean?

 

[Reverend Blair]

Would you like to clue the world in on what you mean?

No.

Hey Rev they still got that tow rope ski mountain on the floodway in the winter?

I'm not sure.

 

[EagleSmack]

Would you like to clue the world in on what you mean?

No.

Hey Rev they still got that tow rope ski mountain on the floodway in the winter?

I'm not sure.

No big surprise there... you seem to lack one.

 

[Reverend Blair]

:roll: Do you even know where Winnipeg is, Eaglesmack? Do you know what the floodway is? Do you know anything at all? Back under your bridge, troll.

 

[tibear]

Its called Spring Hill and is still open. I know a number of young people who go there to snowboard.

What happens a lot is the Non-Union Contractor will say to his men

"Look guys this is a big job. If we don't get it I may have to lay people off. Are you willing to work below the wage that I am required to pay you and not say anything?"


Careful or tibear will report you for promoting illegal activity.

:roll: Nobody's promoting anything here. Just saying what might happen. Unlike the favorite pasttime of many on this forum which is illegal and has been promoted since day one.