ABC Files NLRB Complaint Against Los Angeles-based Carpenters Union
Posted by: Kevin D. Korenthal | 04/21/2008 2:51 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2008
CONTACT: Kevin Korenthal (661) 310-0769
Contractor Association Strikes Back Against Militant Union Pickets in Bakersfield Files Unfair Labor Practice Charge with Federal Government Against "Shame On" Campaign
The Bakersfield Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) has filed a National Labor Relations Board complaint against Carpenters Union Local 1506 for attacks against contractors that include property damage, harassment and physical violence.
The NLRB complaint responds to a February 24 incident in which representatives of Local Union 1506 harassed workers and vandalized the interior of a local construction project run by local contractor Carlyle Construction. Union representatives shoved facilities Manager Richard Young to the ground in the incident which took place at the Santa Barbara Business College on California Ave.
"This Los Angeles-based Carpenters Union has finally taken their community harassment campaign too far", says Kevin Korenthal, Government Affairs Director for ABC Central California. "Many small businesses and construction companies in Bakersfield have suffered from this harassment for years and we feel its time to bring union officials to account for their illegal and offensive behavior".
Attorneys for Associated Builders & Contractors of Central California (ABC), which represents Carlyle Construction, filed a complaint on April 17 against Carpenters Union Local 1506. The National Labor Relations Board is expected shortly to interview witnesses from Carlyle Construction and the Santa Barbara Business College.
A copy of the harassment complaint is available for review.
Associated Builders & Contractors of Central California is proud to have served the construction industry of Bakersfield for more than 10 years. Please feel free to visit our chapter website at www.abccentralcal.cog and our national website at www.abc.org.
Allen Wilson is exactly the kind of person who would like another Bush term. I applaud the SGV...
What the ABC and the rest of the nazi neo cons really, really, HATE. Is the signs, banners, loud protesting, and the general freedom of assembly that draws lots of attention to sleaze bag contractors exploiting workers for cash and destroying wage and working standards for American construction workers. Non Union contractors pay a premium to belong to the anti american ABC because they claim to keep the union out. Not long after they find out that the ABC is impotent and can't prevent signs and banner protesting, sometimes even in front of their home, because it is protected by the constitution. I went down from Canada to spend a week with these L.A. Carpenters and you can trust me. They will not rest until LA carpententers compete for work on an even playing field. Where skill, quality, and productivity determine who gets the job not which 1099 illegal cash guy is going to work the cheapest. Take America back exercise your rights before they are out sourced to China too.
I am glad that Rob has chimed in with his pro-union rhetoric. He brings up a point that I did not otherwise have reason to raise in the press release.
At the heart of the Los Angeles Carpenters Union's beef with Bakersfield construction companies is the claim that these companies do not pay prevailing wage on their projects.
1st of all, Prevailing Wage is only required on projects that take government money. None of the projects that the Carpenters have picketed take taxpayer money. 2nd, Prevailing Wage in Bakersfield is set based on the collective bargaining agreements and cost of living in San Francisco. So even if local contractors wanted to pay prevailing wages, they couldn't and still be competitive in the bidding process. Which brings us to the rub.