PRESS RELEASE
Daily Pacific Builder
“UNIONS 2003” EDITION
CEA and Carpenters Negotiate Five-Year Agreement
Covering 46 Northern California Counties
By Larry Nibbi, President, Nibbi Bros, Inc. and Chairman, Carpenters Craft Committee for the Construction Employer’ Association
July 29, 2003
Larry Nibbi, President, Nibbi Bros, Inc.
In an effort to ensure continued stability in the Northern California building construction industry, the Carpenters 46 Northern California Counties Conference Board and the Construction Employers’ Association (CEA) modified and extended the Carpenters Master Agreement for Northern California more than a year before it was to expire.
The agreement covers 32,000 carpenters from Fresno and Monterey counties north to the Oregon state line representing 33 million carpenter hours annually. As the lead bargaining association for the Carpenters Master Agreement, CEA’s 100 union building contractor members represent more carpenter hours than any other association in Northern California.
The agreement is now in effect through June 30, 2008 and provides for increases in hourly wages and benefits of $1.25 on July 1, 2003, $1.75 on July 1, 2004 and $2 on July 1 in 2005, 2006 and 2007. In light of escalating health care costs, a significant portion of these increases has been allocated to cover health care costs.
The agreement offers cost savings of 75 cents per hour for a seven-month period beginning August 1 of this year for employers who sign the new agreement. None of that money will be taken from the workers, but rather from work fees (union dues) and industry fund monies. In addition, a schedule has been established for restoring uniform wage and benefit increases between the higher-cost nine Bay Area counties and the 37 other counties in the agreement.
Already unique in the nation, the format under which we negotiate our contracts with the Carpenters added a new element this year. Rank-and-file carpenters who hold no union office were at the bargaining table. Since 1985, CEA has negotiated six master agreements with the Carpenters Union early and without an industry work stoppage. Key elements of our success have been to address wages and other difficult issues informally with the goal of concluding formal negotiations on a new agreement long before the old one expires.
CEA members appreciate the strong working relationship we have built with our key craft – the Carpenters – under the leadership of Bob Alvarado. It hinges on trust and mutual problem-solving. The 2003 – 2008 CEA/Carpenters Master Agreement represents the latest product of a unique and valued labor-management partnership. We will continue to address the most difficult issues long before they become a threat to any construction project.
In addition to negotiating the Carpenters Master Agreement, CEA negotiates other collective bargaining agreements affecting building contractors performing work in Northern California, including the Laborers Master Builders Agreement and agreements with the Cement Masons and Operating Engineers on behalf of signatory members. CEA’s collective bargaining success is due to the active participation of the principals of our member firms, guided by an experienced staff led by CEA Secretary Michael Walton. Enhancing members’ competitiveness, attracting and retaining skilled craftpersons and maintaining industry stability remain our primary goals in collective bargaining.
