LANSING, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – One Tough Nerd appears to be One Tough Negotiator too.
Governor Rick Snyder’s office announced on Thursday that the impasse between the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association and Operating Engineers Local 324 that has led to workers being locked out of road construction jobsites statewide has ended. After meeting with both sides earlier this week, a “short-term” solution was reached in which the “defensive lockout” called by MITA following the Labor Day holiday break ends and the “involuntary layoff” of OE324 members will report to work immediately. In addition, projects that can be completed prior to significant winter weather arriving will take precedence, while others will continue for as long as possible, including work to prepare the sites for safe winter travel if not completed. The state Department of Transportation will manage those project priority lists.
The two sides have been without a new collective bargaining agreement since June 30th, with the union wanting to negotiate with individual contractors and not with MITA, while MITA claiming that OE324 “engaged in a number of disruptive and coercive tactics” since the old deal expired.
