ROCKFORD, Mich. - If the delays caused by all the road projects aren't frustrating enough, there is a chance those projects might come to a screeching halt.
The contract negotiated back in 2013 between unionized road builders and and the companies who hire them expires on Friday, June 1.
13 ON YOUR SIDE verified: Are West Michigan's road projects at risk?
The Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association represents hundreds of contractors, and Operating Engineers Local 324 is a labor union of 14,000 workers you see at the controls of heavy equipment.
The road contract between them is critical, and failure to reach a new deal could bring a sudden stop to some state and federally funded projects.
“And that’s almost all these projects,” said Marick Masters, a business professor at Wayne State University.
You guessed it, I-96 and US-131 are on the list. And time is ticking.
"As the contractor side, the employer side, we're doing everything possible to avoid any type of work stoppage," said Mike Nystrom, the executive vice president of MITA.
MITA sent a proposal, which included about a 3 percent raise each year over five years, but the union said they were not interested in negotiating, according to Nystrom.
"This is the first time we've ever encountered a union that just refuses to meet for negotiations with a contract expiring," Nystrom said. "The industry, which means the contractors, the employers, are quite baffled by this tactic."
The union would prefer to negotiate with individual union contractors, but the association represents both union and non-union companies, according to Masters.
“This is a very significant issue in your area as well as across the state,” Masters said.
So we can verify, yes, West Michigan’s road projects are at risk.
"Come Friday we are most certainly going to offer up a contract extension in an attempt to keep conversations going between us and the union, or at least get some conversations going," Nystrom said.
Masters said he thinks the two groups will eventually come to an agreement for the interim.
"If they want to negotiate on an individual contractor basis that’s more of a longer term proposition,” Masters said.
In an emailed statement, Michigan Department of Transportation spokesman Jeff Cranson said the department is unable to comment on the ongoing negotiations.
"Contractors are obligated to maintain a safe work zone for motorists… even during a delay caused by a labor dispute," Cranson said.
Masters says for now, road workers will likely continue to operate under the existing contract for as long as the parties allow.
13 ON YOUR SIDE contacted the union, and we have not heard back.
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