Picket at an Island Architectural Woodwork delivery in Harlem

NYC carpenters’ strike leaves nonunion workers stuck without health insurance

The District Council of Carpenters terminated health coverage for 120 secretaries, draftsmen and other nonunion workers Monday — the day it declared a strike against the woodworking companies that employ them. That’s left 12 companies that comprise the Manufacturing Woodworkers Association scrambling to find private coverage.

BY GINGER ADAMS OTIS / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2013, 6:21 PM

DISTRICT COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS

Stephen McInni is president of the District Council of Carpenters, which went on strike Monday and canceled health insurance for some 120 nonunion workers.

The NYC  District Council of Carpenters’ strike against woodworking companies has turned into a real pounding for nonunion staff members who’ve lost their health insurance.

The New York union terminated health coverage for about 120 secretaries, draftsmen, administrative assistants and other nonunion workers on Monday — the day it declared a strike against the woodworking companies that employ them.

That’s left the 12 cabinet- and furniture-making companies that comprise the Manufacturing Woodworkers Association scrambling to find private coverage.

“For almost 10 years the union has enabled us buy health care coverage for our private employees that is similar to what the carpenters get,” said Anthony Rizzo, co-owner of the family-run Rimmi Woodcraft Corporation and president of MWA.

RELATED: CARPENTERS’ STRIKE WOULD AFFECT NYC CONSTRUCTION SITES

“They surprised us with a letter two days before the strike. I’ve had to rush to find a way to cover my workers. It costs more, but I can’t leave them without.”

Rizzo is challenging the union’s action in court — including its position that none of the 120 workers are eligible for COBRA benefits under the union’s terminated deal. COBRA is a federal program that extends health insurance for temporarily jobless workers.

“We feel it’s illegal for the union to deny COBRA. We will challenge it but it takes time. I have an employee in the hospital who was denied coverage and that can’t happen,” Rizzo said.

They’re also challenging the legality of the union’s strike, he said, and will be in federal court Monday looking for an injunction.

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District Council of Carpenters represents the 350 woodworkers and wood installers in Local 2790 who walked off the job Monday in protest over stalled contract negotiations.

The MWA wants to cap benefit contributions at 40 hours a week so it would no longer have to make pension, vacation and health care contributions on overtime pay.

It’s a deal that Stephen McInnis, president of the District Council of Carpenters, says he “has to refuse.”

But Rizzo, who said there used to be about 70 woodmaking companies in the region — now down to about 12 — said the union’s demands were driving employers into bankruptcy.

“We’re not asking for lower wages, just to lower some of the benefits. It’s not even a major concession,” Rizzo said.

gotis@nydailynews.com

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/carpenters-strike-leaves-workers-health-care-article-1.1390559#ixzz2YJS7DTwi

Tatco Installations Strike Line Day 5

Tatco picket line from yesterday standing strong!

Neither side budging in carpenters' strike

(source: http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20130703/REAL_ESTATE/130709959)

Hundreds of union carpenters went on strike this week over a contract dispute that jeopardizes a number of ongoing projects in the city.

Updated: July 3, 2013 2:17 p.m.

Hundreds of union carpenters went on strike this week over a contract dispute in a move that threatens a number of ongoing projects in the city.

The strike comes after over a year of contentious contract negotiations between the New York City District Council of Carpenters and the Manufacturing Woodworkers Association of Greater New York, an association of contractors. The carpenters' contract expired June 30, and they have balked at the association's request for a 10-year deal with lower benefits and a wage freeze on the cabinetmakers and wood installers, 350 of whom stopped working Monday to protest.

Stephen McInnis, president of the District Council of Carpenters, has said the union would agree to a 10-year contract with wage negotiations possible, but won't compromise on benefits.

"We feel we've made a number of concessions throughout these negotiations, and we just can't concede any more," said Kwame Patterson, a spokesperson for the carpenters. "There's no more to give."

The contractors, however, believe the district council prematurely halted discussion. "They called a strike immediately when the contract expired," said Catherine Condon, an advocate for their association. "We were in negotiations and they just took a hard line."

Ms. Condon said settling on a contract is crucial to the survival of the unionized woodworking industry in New York, and blamed the industry's loss of market share on union workers doing jobs for nonunion contractors. "One of the reasons for the [industry's] decline is that union installers have been installing work in Manhattan that is made by nonunion shops," she said. "We are constantly competing with nonunion workers so at the moment we're just trying to get a contract that will make for fair competition in New York."

A consultant to developers in the city said as nonunion contractors have taken on more complicated jobs in the last several years, the carpenters have become increasingly desperate for work, causing some to resort to nonunion gigs, thereby accelerating the trend.

"The union guys have been unable to hold out. They’ve had to put bread on the table, and they’re taking more and more nonunion jobs," said the consultant, who requested anonymity to protect relationships in the industry. "The nonunion labor pool is starting to be very competitive in terms of skills with the union workforce because in many respects, it’s one and the same. It overlaps tremendously now."

Ms. Condon urged the district council to resume contract negotiations and end the strike. "Let the men go back to work," she said. "Let them get paid."

But Mr. Patterson said the strike is necessary despite the financial toll it takes on the workers. "This really hurts [the carpenters'] pockets, but this is the only recourse we have at this point," he said. "We're standing by the phones waiting for [an acceptable contract], but that hasn't come in yet."

For now, both sides are hopeful that the strike will end soon, but neither appears willing to make the next concession. The union said many large construction projects around the city could be halted by the strike, including 4 World Trade Center, General Motors' building on Fifth Avenue and the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle.

"The carpenters walking off can easily shut down an entire contract, because they have so much responsibility, especially with interior work," the consultant said.

Tatco Installations MWA Strike Day 3

Correction

The article titled: Daily Strike Report was corrected to better reflect the facts and positive tone of this strike campaign. 

Cabinet Delivery at Nordic Interior Decides to Turn Away!

A cabinet delivery to Nordic Interior, Inc. that was coming from Maryland turned around and headed back when the driver decided not to cross the sanctioned picket line at that shop.

Tatco Installations, Inc. Day 2!

Picket line holding strong!

Centerline wood design attempts to cross strike line

Island Architect Woodwork Inc. Is On Strike!

Daily Strike Report

At Island Architectural & Midhattan Woodworking, there are union carpenters who are members of the North East Regional Council who are unsure about this whole situation. Local 2790 really needs the help of every union worker!

At William Sommerville, there are members of Local 157 & Local 1556 who are installing woodwork from Sommerville in there area, however the installation company has not been confirmed, more details to follow.

A strike only works if every member is involved, we need everyone to work together to accomplish our goal.