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MARBA Chair: Contractors Working Toward Equitable Agreement

  • Tom Nordeen, Chairman, MARBA
  • July 13, 2010

(For more information on the following, contact Lissa Druss Christman of Culloton Strategies, LLC at 312-324-8542 or 312-259-8600) 

MARBA is working for a fair resolution to this strike so that everyone can get back to work and vital construction projects can resume throughout the area. But so far, the Laborers and Operators unions have been unwilling to come to the table with a proposal that is in line with the state of the industry and the economy.

Since negotiations started in April, MARBA has increased its offer 4.25 percent over three years while the unions have only moved 2.25 percent over three years. The Unions are currently asking for a 4.55 percent increase per year for three years.

It's important to note that the Laborers still have not made clear how they would divide increased funds between wages, health and pension benefits in years two and three.

As our nation struggles through a recession with no end in sight, thousands have lost health insurance altogether as layoffs continue. Against this backdrop, it's unbelievable that the locals continue to insist on increased contributions to their health benefits - which are already far more generous than what the average Illinois family can expect to receive:

  • Within their total hourly package of $53.37 and $63.38 in wages and benefits, union members receive full coverage for himself/herself and their entire immediate family without paying any premium costs.
  • The Operating Engineers plan covers 100 percent of most medical expenses with no deductible or co-payment. The maximum deductible for an individual is just $300.
  • The Laborers plan covers 100 percent of the first $10,000 in annual medical expenses with no deductible or co-payments. After that, members are responsible for just a $200 deductible per person per calendar year and $400 per family per calendar year, before their health insurance kicks back in covering 90 percent of costs.
  • The Operating Engineers prescription drug plan requires as little as a $5 co-payment with a maximum of $30 for a 90-day brand name prescription refill. Laborers and their families don't have a co-payment at all up to $5,000.
  • Operating Engineers can receive up to $1,500 per family for "medically necessary" out-of-pocket expenses including contact lenses, birth control devices and hearing aids. Laborers can receive free LASIK vision correction surgery.

These are the kind of benefits many would envy.

The next negotiation date is Monday, July 19.

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