Road workers represented by Operating Engineers Union 324 were sent home from work Tuesday morning.
Road construction projects across the state of Michigan came to a halt due to a dispute between Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA) and Operating Engineers Union 324. MITA represents about 100 contractor groups who contract workers from Operating Engineers Union 324, and those contractors are behind some of the largest projects in the state, accounting for more than half of Michigan's road work.
"It's the largest contractors that are rebuilding Michigan's roads, the contractors involved in this contract probably do a minimum of 70 percent of the road work across the state," said Mike Nystrom, MITA's executive vice president.
MITA and Operating Engineers' Michigan branch cannot seem to agree on just about anything, including the amount of years the two have worked together. Operating Engineers made the decision not to renew a contract with MITA back in June, and instead, go straight to the individual contractor companies. In the three months since that decision, union workers have continued to work their jobs without a contract on the books up until several days ago. MITA said contractors decided this weekend to initiate a 'defensive lockout,' which prevents workers from working until the two groups reach an agreement.
"We are willing to sit down with Operators whenever they are willing to come to the table," Nystrom said.
Dan McKernan, a spokesperson for the union, said they have absolutely no interest in negotiating with MITA.
"Whenever a contract is at it's conclusion, we evaluate the relationship we have with whomever the contract is with," McKernan said. "We had been thinking for some time that the ongoing relationship we had with MITA was toxic and it was time to deal directly with contractors."
McKernan said they have had some contractors interested in signing a contract with the union, but that there is no reason for workers to have to sit out while those negotiations are made.
Michigan workers are out of work and a paycheck in the meantime. MITA's Nystrom said that union workers cannot file for unemployment under state law. However, Operating Engineers, who views the dispute as an involuntary layoff by MITA, encouraged their members to file for unemployment on their Facebook page.
The union estimates that at least 100 of their workers are currently out of work and a paycheck in the meantime.
West Michigan drivers will not be severely impacted by the lockout. A spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Transportation said only one of their Western Michigan projects will be delayed: bridge work on NB U.S. 131 over 6 Mile Road will now tentatively start Sept. 17. I-96 WB is still set to reopen on Sept. 13.
The Kent County Road Commission said the dispute could potentially disrupt several of their projects: The widening project on Knapp Street, west of Grand River Drive to east of Dunnigan Avenue (the project segment between Grand River Bridge and Pettis Avenue has been completed) and the reconstruction project on 13 Mile Road, from Kenowa Avenue to Peach Ridge Avenue.
The city of Grand Rapids said they contracted Operating Engineers union workers for road work on Kalamazoo Avenue from 28th Street SE to Alger Street SE, but a city spokesperson said they are not sure how this will delay their progress.
Operating Engineers 324 will host their monthly meeting and address the current status of their employees on Tuesday at 8 p.m. at the Construction Career Center in Howell. The meeting will be Skyped to Detroit, Freeland, Gladstone, Grand Rapids and Gaylord.
MITA issued a statement regarding the lockout, it reads in part:
“MITA has done everything within its power to maintain labor peace and stability, however we’ve been forced into taking this action by the union. Getting these employees back to work is a top priority. We look forward to hearing from the union on any interest they may have to ending this lockout.”
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Emma Nicolas is a multimedia journalist. Have a news tip or question for Emma? Get in touch by email enicolas@wzzm13.com, Facebook or Twitter.