Operating Engineers Considering Strike
Thursday, November 21, 2013(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
For the first time in decades, local
operating engineers are considering a strike.
Members of IUOE Local 99 recently voted
down eight separate proposed agreements with
EMCOR Government Services, the local’s
largest signatory company, Local 99 organizer
Eamon Clifford reported at Monday’s Metro
Washington Council meeting, “and we’re now
preparing to take a strike vote, our first in
decades.” Major issues include wages,
pension and healthcare, which is the same issue
that provoked UFCW Local 400 members at Giant
and Safeway last week to take a strike vote.
Many of Local 99’s members are affected
by the EMCOR contracts and the local – which
represents skilled tradesmen and licensed
engineers in office buildings, government
facilities, hospitals and hotels throughout the
metro area – plans to begin informational
leafleting soon.