Unions Upset Over Bridgeton Municipal Center Contract - KTVI

Cheaper isn't always better. Statistics show that when you use union contractors, the job gets done right, gets done on schedule, and doesn't have to be done a second or third time. Wake up America! Unions built this country.

Wake up Charlie Bean! The article clearly states that the lower bid was by a union contractor. They should go with the cheaper bid, rather than use the extra money charged for kickbacks.

Both are not "union" shops in the traditional sense. Bell is a part of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Worker which is affiliated with/recognized by the AFL-CIO. Crown claims to be "union" because it belongs to the IEC, however it is not recognized by the AFL-CIO. It is open shop while IBEW is quite selective about who gets in. I know quite a few people who had to take math courses at the community colleges just to qualify to become an apprentice for IBEW, and I know quite a few who were denied by IBEW because they did not have a strong enough academic background.

Stacy wrote:

Both are not "union" shops in the traditional sense. Bell is a part of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Worker which is affiliated with/recognized by the AFL-CIO. Crown claims to be "union" because it belongs to the IEC, however it is not recognized by the AFL-CIO. It is open shop while IBEW is quite selective about who gets in. I know quite a few people who had to take math courses at the community colleges just to qualify to become an apprentice for IBEW, and I know quite a few who were denied by IBEW because they did not have a strong enough academic background.

Blind Stacy-Wow, your first remark makes no sense. Both are not "union" shops?? WTF? OMG! Wake up people!!!!!!!!!!Get your facts in order instead of speculating and guessing. Come on, really! Dont bother posting something if you dont KNOW what you are talking about.

What kind of past problems qualify as not that serious, and is the Mayor getting even with one of the many groups that supported the Lambert expansion?

First, Crown is a member of a US-DOL approved union, the CIU (Congress of Independent Unions), which has no affiliation with the IEC. They are not a member of the AFL-CIO, which is their point. The IEC is a contractor's association, not a union. Second, Stacey, the IBEW is selective, like whether or not your Dad, Uncle, Brother, Grandpa, can get you in. Grades have nothing to do with it. The IEC's apprenticeship program includes a math class to help apprentices be refreshed with the necessary math to be an electrician.
Third, and most important. This is a Prevailing wage job, so ALL employees are paid the same on the project, that being equal, the taxpayers of Bridgeton shouldn't have to be pay an extra $80,000 just so labor bosses get their share.

I think the unions would do better if they worried more for there members. I was a union worker local 655 until 6-27-2009 when I was let go with about 14 others. The union knew several months in advance that we were loosing our jobs to non union workers and didn't even inform us much less fight for our jobs.That was money for union dues down the drain.

citizen wrote:

<quoted text>
Blind Stacy-Wow, your first remark makes no sense. Both are not "union" shops??****? OMG! Wake up people!!!!!!!!!!Get your facts in order instead of speculating and guessing. Come on, really! Dont bother posting something if you dont KNOW what you are talking about.

You might want to actually read the entire remark, I said in the traditional sense. Traditionally unions are a part of the AFL-CIO.

Bridgeton Resident wrote:

First, Crown is a member of a US-DOL approved union, the CIU (Congress of Independent Unions), which has no affiliation with the IEC. They are not a member of the AFL-CIO, which is their point. The IEC is a contractor's association, not a union. Second, Stacey, the IBEW is selective, like whether or not your Dad, Uncle, Brother, Grandpa, can get you in. Grades have nothing to do with it. The IEC's apprenticeship program includes a math class to help apprentices be refreshed with the necessary math to be an electrician.
Third, and most important. This is a Prevailing wage job, so ALL employees are paid the same on the project, that being equal, the taxpayers of Bridgeton shouldn't have to be pay an extra $80,000 just so labor bosses get their share.

Well here are the links to Crown's website and IEC (which Crown belongs to as stated on the website, but their membership with the CIU is not mentioned, funny). See how "union" and "pro-worker" this "union" shop really is...Also, as I stated before I know those who have been accepted and rejected from IBEW. The old "boys" club at IBEW doesn't exist anymore, amazingly they have actually changed with the times. Regardless of your "connections" if you don't have the academics, you aren't getting in.

http://www.crownelectrical.com/index.php
www.ieci.org - check out the government affairs section, very interesting
For your reading pleasure.