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The new Yankee Stadium, Second Avenue subway, Citi Field and Freedom Tower are just some of the projects whose progress may be delayed a little more due to a strike by cement trucker drivers.
Local 282 represents about 400 truck drivers, who bring cement to the various building union sites in the city. The NY Times reports that the concrete companies were caught by surprise when the union decided to strike a half hour after the midnight deadline passed last night (the two sides could not agree on wages or working conditions).
John Quadrozzi of the Quadrozzi Concrete Corporation said, “At a time when the city is complaining about construction being behind at the World Trade Center site and the economy being in a downturn, we feel it’s not the right time for the union to take such a strong position in this type of negotiations.” And Association of New York City Ready Mix Concrete Producers' Joseph Greco Jr. said, "The union has informed us that they will not be contacting us to have additional negotiations until next week. "
However, a lawyer for the union said it "fully intends to continue negotiating in good faith and looks forward to reaching an equitable resolution to this dispute so that its members can return to work as soon as possible." There are a lot of projects in NYC over the next few years requiring union labor--check out these charts.
Photograph by plemeljr on Flickr
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You have to love those unions. I guess it's back to building in wood.
" And Association of New York City Ready Mix Concrete Producers' Joseph Greco Jr. said, "The union has informed us that they will not be contacting us to have additional negotiations until next week."
Unions are the trouble? It's a pity that guy's company has falsified records and illegally terminated and abused the rights of their employees since the change in ownership a few years ago.
Too bad the union didn't grow a backbone until now. That guy is scum of the lowest order. Maybe he should talk to his Mafia backers to make his problems go away.
thanks for actually writing about WHAT the union is striking about. a great accomplishment in journalism!
*sarcasm*
Great googly moogly! Did anybody read the article? These guys make $33.11 per hour, and it's $59.01 an hour if you add cash equivalents from their benefits. For driving a stinking truck??? I know And they want to get it upped another $5/hr. That would mean $133k per year including benefits. I know college-educated professionals who don't make that kind of scratch. Give me a break.
Let’s make it quick and easy. Mixer drivers work a shape job. They go to work with tolls and gas without the guarantee of working. But, need to be there just encase. If they don’t work they DON’T get paid. Sent home eating the cost of getting to work without working. Follow so far? When cold weather arrives there usually is no work. Remember no work NO pay. A average mixer driver works 1000 hours a year or about 110 days. Constantly calling yards (barns) for work. Do the math smart one. It’s not 125K it’s more like 32K for the majority of mixer drivers and that’s a struggle at times. Peace said. Peace out.
As mixer tried to tell you, the wages you read about in most cases do not add up to the amt you think. Most drivers do not work 40 hrs a week, 52 wks a year, and our W2'S are no where near 125K-130K.
So for all of you know it alls, please get your facts straight before commenting. There is nothing wrong with us trying to get a raise in these hard times. I am sure if all of you were able, you would do the same. Don't blame us for your salaries. We didn't tell you to pick the jobs you did. For all those people who don't like what the unions are asking for, BITE ME!!
Thanks friend.