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* From the Chicago Area Aggregate Producers Association, which has just three very large corporate members…
On June 7, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 began a strike against three companies that make up the Chicago Area Aggregate Producers Association: Vulcan Materials, Lehigh Hanson and Lafarge.
As the strike continues, it is important for union members, customers, stakeholders and the public to know the facts. Below is a statement from CAAPA to set the record straight:
“It is unfortunate that Local 150 decided to strike and that union leaders have been providing misleading information about the situation.
We reached out to Local 150 on March 1 to begin contract negotiations and were in contact with the union throughout the spring. Local 150 did not agree to sit down for talks until after the contract expired on April 30 and almost immediately decided to strike. Local 150 still has not presented a wage and benefit proposal despite multiple requests.
Local 150 has made unfounded claims regarding safety issues and using unskilled replacement workers. These allegations are simply not true. Our trained and experienced management employees are working to support our customers to minimize disruption to their businesses.
The strike not only jeopardizes essential infrastructure needs that impact roads, bridges and flood-prevention projects, it also increases costs for taxpayers during this shortened construction season.
We remain committed to finding a path forward that is mutually beneficial, and we are hopeful our continued negotiations at the bargaining table bring our employees back to work soon.”
* Meanwhile, here’s a press release issued Tuesday…
This morning, leaders from the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police and Chicago Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 issued statements in support of the striking members of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 150.
More than 300 IUOE Local 150 members went on strike on June 7th against construction material producer companies Lehigh Hanson, Vulcan Materials, and Lafarge Holcim in protest of unfair labor practice charges filed with the National Labor Relations Board.
“Hard working men and women deserve to be treated with dignity at work,” said Illinois FOP President Chris Southwood. “We stand in solidarity with the striking members of IUOE Local 150 and call on these companies to prioritize these workers’ health, safety, and rights on the job.”
“The officers of the Chicago FOP stand with Local 150 members as they exercise their right to peacefully strike in the wake of their employers’ alleged unfair labor practices,” said Chicago Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 President John Catanzara. “The men and women of the FOP understand the power of collective action to bring progress on the job and call upon these employers to negotiate in good faith and work with the union to reach a resolution that is fair and equitable for their workers.”
The Illinois FOP is the second largest State Lodge, proudly representing over 33,000 active duty and retired police officers – more than 10 percent of all FOP members nationwide. The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 represents officers of the Chicago Police Department.
* The day before that Tuesday press released was issued, the Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor Management PAC, which is heavily influenced by Local 150, put $10K into the United Working Taxpayers PAC. That committee had previously been funded solely by the Chicago FOP and, as subscribers know, had sent out a negative mailer against a couple of Democratic state legislators that 150 supports, but the FOP opposes…
The FOP is a PAC, just like this PAC Casper setup. They could have sent the mailers. Why all the runaround?
The FOP knows Dems reading a negative mailer from the MAGA FOP isn't going to land with a lot of voters. But "United Working Taxpayers"? That has a veneer of legitimacy.
— The People's Fabric (@peoplesfabric) June 9, 2022
It also allows the Chicago FOP to get around the contribution caps since the group was nearly at that cap for Chicago police detective and Republican activist Erin Jones, who’s running against Sen. Rob Martwick (D-Chicago) in the Democratic primary.
The United Working Taxpayers PAC has not yet disclosed spending that money, but it recently disclosed spending cash in a bevy of races, including for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Iris Martinez’s state central committee contest and on behalf of Carmen Navarro, who has since been removed from the ballot for county sheriff. Those are/were both Chicago FOP peeps. The FOP/Operators-funded PAC has also reported spending $19K against state Rep. Delia Ramirez in her congressional primary against Ald. Gil Villegas.
This story gets even more complicated, but I’m going to wait for a bit on that.
…Adding… Ed Maher from Local 150…
Hi Rich,
The contribution to UWT was made in support of Election Day activities for candidates that we’ve endorsed. Nothing more to it than that.
Police have often voiced support for Local 150 and other unions during strikes. Employers will frequently call police on striking workers or union representatives on picket lines, but we are extremely thorough in educating our members and staff on laws that apply to picketing in order to ensure that all picket lines and strike activity are conducted peacefully and in accordance with applicable laws.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 16, 22 @ 10:55 am
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I’m all for Union solidarity, but if John Catanazara is on your side, I’d have to stop and think.
Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Jun 16, 22 @ 11:03 am
=== Chicago police detective and Republican activist Erin Jones ===
But the flyers say she’s a Democrat, and flyers don’t lie, right?
Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Jun 16, 22 @ 11:10 am
===But the flyers say she’s a Democrat===
Not all of ‘em. lol
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 16, 22 @ 11:12 am
=== John Catanazara is on your side, I’d have to stop and think ===
Sure, but Catanzara’s days are numbered and it’s refreshing to see the FOP act like a normal union. Even on a fee-for-service basis, $10k is a relatively small gratuity. Letting the FOP see the benefits of solidarity will encourage more in the future. This sort of thing is how you get radicals off the ledge. 150 in particular has a lot to teach FOP about how to represent conservative workers without sacrificing union values.
That $10k going to defeat a strong union ally isn’t ideal, but we’re talking baby steps here.
Comment by vern Thursday, Jun 16, 22 @ 11:22 am
Catanzara has members and money… so does 150. It’s called leverage.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, Jun 16, 22 @ 11:30 am
Holcim Ltd has a market cap of $28B
Vulcan Materials has a market cap of $19B
HeidelbergCement AG (Lehigh Hanson) has a market cap of $10B
Best of Luck to Local 150. They’re about to shut down 100,000 workers in industry that thrived during a global pandemic in order to fight for 280 members. GENIUS
Comment by LOL Thursday, Jun 16, 22 @ 11:46 am
I’m not sure it’s a good idea for these companies to imply to 150 is lying. Good luck with that strategy.
Comment by Fan Thursday, Jun 16, 22 @ 11:54 am
- industry that thrived during a global pandemic in order to fight for 280 members. GENIUS -
Yeah, that’s what brothers do for one another. And as you pointed out, these companies have no reason to be cutting corners, they’ve done just fine.
But go on making your genius observations, company boy. Hopefully you’ll never need someone to watch your back.
Comment by Excitable Boy Thursday, Jun 16, 22 @ 11:58 am
“but if John Catanazara is on your side, I’d have to stop and think”
On the plus side, the FOP could offer strikers a police escort to the picket lines.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Jun 16, 22 @ 12:11 pm
Sweeney’s members love him because he doesn’t leave anyone behind. He’ll fight for 280 with the same ferocity he’d fight for 28,000.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, Jun 16, 22 @ 12:18 pm
Hmm, maybe future 150 endorsement for Catanzara should he decide to run for office? And could 150 possibly convince any other major unions to jump on board? Time will tell!
Comment by Aug Thursday, Jun 16, 22 @ 12:21 pm
Excitable Boy -
If you think for 7 seconds that Local 150 is going to strong-arm these multi-national, multi-billion dollar companies you’re out of your mind. The quarry operations the run here facing this strike aren’t but a blip on their radar, let alone their bottom line. They’d just as soon close the doors & not miss a beat. Enjoy the summer off.
Comment by LOL Thursday, Jun 16, 22 @ 1:30 pm
=== If you think for 7 seconds that Local 150 is going to strong-arm these multi-national, multi-billion dollar companies you’re out of your mind.===
Multi-national, multi-billion dollar companies that need people working for them to survive.
Also get a dictionary. It’s a strike for better working conditions not a “strong arm.”
Comment by Da big bad wolf Thursday, Jun 16, 22 @ 1:55 pm
Da big bad wolf -
Regardless of whatever you think you know, once Roadbuilders shut down we will see how long this lasts. 150 doesn’t exist if the $40+/hr Benefit checks from contractors stop flowing in.
Comment by LOL Thursday, Jun 16, 22 @ 2:02 pm
=== … if the $40+/hr Benefit checks from contractors stop flowing in.===
That’s how it goes with strikes. I’ve never heard of a private company that paid strikers while they were out on strike. Do you have anymore tidbits of obviousness to share with all of us?
Comment by Da big bad wolf Thursday, Jun 16, 22 @ 2:16 pm
‘I’ve never heard of a private company that paid strikers while they were out on strike.’
It’s obvious you don’t understand how it works. Clearly wasn’t referring to the workers…I was talking about the BENEFIT CHECKS that go directly to the union. Readers are Leaders.
Comment by LOL Thursday, Jun 16, 22 @ 2:21 pm
“I was talking about the BENEFIT CHECKS that go directly to the union.”
Still, that’s how it goes with strikes.
Comment by Da big bad wolf Thursday, Jun 16, 22 @ 2:25 pm