Operating Engineers 324, Michigan Union Contractors Group Ratify New, 5-Year Road Construction Agreement

Bloomfield Township, Michigan (April 30, 2019)—Last week, Operating Engineers 324 members ratified a new, 5-year highway, bridge and airport agreement with the newly formed Michigan Union Contractors Group (MUGC). The MUGC is an association comprised of the largest road contractors in the state of Michigan, and has replaced previous negotiating partners for the Operating Engineers.

The contract ensures the necessary progress in repairing and replacing Michigan’s damaged infrastructure will continue unobstructed and secures provisions the union sought when agreeing to terminate their previous contract. These provisions include a guarantee that subcontractors hired under the agreement adhere to the same wages, terms and conditions as the general contractor, protecting taxpayers and workers alike from substandard workmanship and compensation. It also helps bolster Michigan employment by removing advantages to hiring questionable labor from other states.

“We have secured a long-term agreement that is both fair and equitable for our members who perform road work in Michigan. We will continue to provide our contractor partners with the highest-skilled, most productive and safety-conscious workforce to rebuild our state’s crumbling infrastructure.” said Operating Engineers 324 President Ken Dombrow.

Workers will also see graduated increases to their wages, as well as increased investment in training and safety.

We are proud to join with our contracting partners in this new agreement,” said Operating Engineers 324 Business Manager Douglas W. Stockwell. “Together, we can now move forward doing what we do best – providing the most skilled workforce in the world to rebuild the infrastructure of Michigan, with fairness to both the employer and employees. The contract provides the stability that will assist contractors bidding for projects, and makes sure members receive fair compensation for their hard work.”

For more information, visit oe324.org.