MCAA & LIUNA Sign New International Agreement
By Mason Contractors Association of America
On Tuesday, August 22, 2006, Mason Contractors Association of America President Frank Campitelli and Labors International Union of North America General President Terrance O'Sullivan signed a newly revised International Agreement between the two organizations. The agreement, which was first negotiated on January 6, 1955, has long benefited the MCAA signatory members who sought work in multiple jurisdictions. The revised agreement between the two national organizations fosters a closer relationship between signatory contractors and their employees in the masonry industry.
The agreement outlines and standardizes the contractor's rights and obligations as they work from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. It adds improvements such as a provision for the benefits of a key man to follow them back to their home local. The agreement also strengthens the key man provision from the original agreement which allows contractors to bring an agreed upon number of key men from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The agreement also enhances the mason contractor's rights to assign the work of the operation of the forklift and other equipment to the laborers.
For decades, the Mason Contractors Association of America fought the efforts of the Operating Engineers Union to claim the rights to run forklifts for mason contractors. It was the association and member contractors' belief that the contractor had the right to assign work to which ever union that the contractor felt would best suit his operation. For over forty years, the MCAA and LIUNA have fought efforts of other trade unions to force mason contractors to assign work to less than productive unions. As a result, it is the practices of virtually the entire country for signatory contractors to assign the work of mason tending to the members of LIUNA.
"Our members have long felt that it was counter productive and not profitable to have more than two unions on their jobs. With respect to the laborers, they mixed the mortar erected and moved scaffolding and moved materials with the forklift. They are highly skilled and well trained to assist the mason and the mason contractor," said MCAA Executive Director Michael Adelizzi. "Our members didn't have to hire an operating engineer who was paid for eight hours but maybe only worked two or three. The labors kept busy tending to all of the important facts of the mason contractor."
Signatory mason contractors should look seriously at participating with the International Agreement, especially if you currently or possibly will work in more than one labor jurisdiction.
Contractors interested in getting more information can view the International Agreement between the MCAA and LIUNA on the MCAA's website at www.masoncontractors.org or call 800-536-2225 for a copy. Only MCAA members are eligible for this agreement. For more information about membership in the MCAA, call us at 800-536-2225, or visit the association at www.masoncontractors.org.
About the Author
he Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is the national trade association representing mason contractors. The MCAA is committed to preserving and promoting the masonry industry by providing continuing education, advocating fair codes and standards, fostering a safe work environment, recruiting future manpower, and marketing the benefits of masonry materials. Visit www.masoncontractors.org to learn more.
