Peninsula Report

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Residential Plumbers are currently doing a lot of service work, and the new construction business is very slow at this time.  Building Trades Plumbers and Fitters are awaiting bid results on three (3) school projects that will total 38.5 million dollars over the next seven (7) months. 

 

As President of the Olympic Peninsula Building & Construction Trades Council, I’ve been working on Direct Entry Apprenticeship for Native Americans whose tribe will write a union bargaining agreement into their tribal Labor Agreement.  With this in place, it is my hope we can lock up these construction projects.  A Tribal Labor Agreement that contains union recognition is the same as a Project Labor Agreement that is now referred to as a Community Workforce Agreement.  The Tulalip Tribe is currently using such an agreement with over three (3) years of history, 100% Union Built on time, and under budget.

 

I’ve increased our contractor list 50 percent (50%) on the Peninsula since we’ve started our school and business office in Sequim.  On some of the bigger jobs, our Seattle contractors continue to perform this work, with Shinn Mechanical nearing completion of the Clallam County Courthouse Boiler Project.

 

The Elwha River Restoration project will continue over the next several years.  Currently, the Tribal fish hatchery has formal complaints, filed by other contractors, on the awarding of this project.  A re-bid seems to be coming with Apollo from the Tri-Cities trying to get the pipe work.  There is another water plant that requires work at Nippon Paper before the dam removal can begin.  This upgrade project is currently going through the final design.

 

Thanks to the Business Office and Membership for the opportunity to serve as an Organizer/Agent in the Sequim area. 

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the Brothers and Sisters of Local #32.

 

Fraternally,

 

 

Lee Whetham, Organizer/Agent