Union Rank-and-File Organized Rally to Protest the BTEA
Time: Tuesday, May 24 - 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: BTEA Leadership Dinner, Cipriani Wall Street
55 Wall Street (Between William St. and Hanover St.)
Map: http://goo.gl/Fx5Co
The Event
Our rally is scheduled for 5pm at 55 Wall Street.
Their gala begins at 6pm with a cocktail reception-- continues from 7pm - 8:30pm, featuring a $750 dollar a plate dinner, and awards program honoring real estate investor and developer Larry A. Silverstein-- then concludes 8:30 - 9:30pm with a dessert reception.
The BTEA represents the big bosses of New York City's building industry; the Building Construction Trades Council proclaims it "represents the interests of the unionized construction industry." Neither represent workers directly. Our rally is being organized by rank-and-file for the rank-and-file.
This is an opportunity for us to practice solidarity across craft lines, in response to United Brotherhood of Carpenters President Douglas J. McCarron's union raiding, while addressing the anti-worker agenda of Louis J. Coletti's BTEA, as a do-it-yourself organizational alternative to the failed union bureaucracy of BCTC President Gary LaBarbera.
Consider the outcome of recent NYC building trade contract negotiations:
The Association of Master Painters & Decorators of NY and the Painters D.C. #9 have reached a 4 year contract agreement. Below are some of the key details included in the agreement:
Contract Duration: May 1, 2011 – April 30, 2015
Wages & Benefits:
1 year wage freeze.
1.9% weighted average increase over 4 year period.
20% reduction in payroll costs of wages and benefits for non-Manhattan commercial work (similar reduction for residential work through previously negotiated PLA)
Currently seeking PLA with REBNY for Manhattan interior work to be enacted by May 2013 for 17% to 20% cost reduction through wage/benefits and work rule changes. Failure to execute the PLA will result in the employers to contribute an additional $.50 each for May 2013 and May 2014.
Overtime calculation reduced to straight time plus ½ the annuity plus ½ the vacation rate – estimated 20% reduction.
The union is required to reduce the current healthcare costs by 10% over the course of the 4 year contract - approximately $4.4 million.
No future employer contributions to health benefit funds from May 2012 to May 2014 funding a union responsibility.
No additional employer contributions into pension fund over 4 years.
Security checks will be at employers’ expense.
No overtime for shift work on Manhattan interior work
Contract Duration: May 1, 2011 – April 30, 2015
Wages & Benefits:
1 year wage freeze.
1.9% weighted average increase over 4 year period.
20% reduction in payroll costs of wages and benefits for non-Manhattan commercial work (similar reduction for residential work through previously negotiated PLA)
Currently seeking PLA with REBNY for Manhattan interior work to be enacted by May 2013 for 17% to 20% cost reduction through wage/benefits and work rule changes. Failure to execute the PLA will result in the employers to contribute an additional $.50 each for May 2013 and May 2014.
Overtime calculation reduced to straight time plus ½ the annuity plus ½ the vacation rate – estimated 20% reduction.
The union is required to reduce the current healthcare costs by 10% over the course of the 4 year contract - approximately $4.4 million.
No future employer contributions to health benefit funds from May 2012 to May 2014 funding a union responsibility.
No additional employer contributions into pension fund over 4 years.
Security checks will be at employers’ expense.
No overtime for shift work on Manhattan interior work
Work Rules & Related Issues:
Flexible starting times between 6 AM – 9 AM.
Elimination of hiring hall.
Free use of tools.
No restrictions on type of work apprentices can perform.
Security background checks.
Random drug and alcohol testing paid for by the employer.
Adoption of top work place performance plan to retrain unqualified or unproductive employees. After 3 bad evaluations the employee can be removed from the union.
Working Shop and Job Stewards must be qualified and productive. May be removed after 24 hour joint hearing.
With 22 collective bargaining agreements to be re-negotiated by June 30 2011, Louis J. Coletti's demands for concessions including a 20% reduction of employee benefits and wages threaten us all, union and non-union.
Please join us protesting the BTEA's anti-worker agenda!
For more info on the rally contact:
Call - (646) 321-3274
Email - rally524@yahoo.com
Website - http://cwrfo.blogspot.com/
