On this web page, we have tried to present you with plain and simple facts of interest and importance. No hard-sell: There is nothing so strong as the simple truth. Please take a few minutes to read through the information. If you have any questions or would like more specific information, contact us.

THE CAMPAIGN FOR WORKERS' RIGHTS
Every day throughout the United States and Canada, construction workers build offices and factories, schools and homes, roads and bridges. Construction is a proud and highly-skilled profession. Our work is vital to America's security and economic health.

Twenty-five years ago, construction workers were some of the best-paid, best-treated workers in North America. Today, we are not. The construction industry continues to grow our jobs cannot be "exported" -the work is performed here by workers who live here. Yet, our wages remain stagnant and benefits are shrinking. Why?

Construction jobs today are just as challenging as they were 25 years ago. The difference is greedy real estate interests, big business, and unfair contractors who have banded together to grab a bigger piece of the wealth WE produce! They reap huge profits at the expense of construction workers and their families. Decent contractors cannot effectively compete against them. The rich get richer and the industry standards decline.

WHAT CAN WE DO?
Instead of competing against each other for jobs, for who will work the cheapest, we need to work together to improve the standard of living for all construction workers. Together we can get our fair share and make it OUR industry again!

WHO ARE WE?
We are craftspeople who depend on the construction industry for our families' livelihoods. We are men and women of all races and national origins. We are hard-working, skilled people. We are exposed to extremes of weather and our jobs are often dangerous. We live with periodic unemployment, and often travel great distances to work.

WHAT DO WE WANT?
We want to improve our industry.
We want good wages, with increases to reflect our real cost of living and our skills.
We want adequate health coverage and other benefits for ourselves and our families.
We want safe and healthy jobsites.
We want training and advancement opportunities for all construction workers.
We want an end to jobsite tyranny and violations of workers' rights.
We want to end discrimination based on color, gender, or national origin.
We want an end to "independent contractor" (cash payment) scams in the industry.
We want strict enforcement of all laws governing wages, overtime payments, job safety, and building codes.
We want YOU to join us. It's time for all of us to take a stand for our jobs and our future.

"I NEED A WAGE INCREASE"
Today, most construction contractors pay their workers the lowest possible wage just enough to get the job done. The needs of construction workers and their families don't really matter. You must exercise your rights. Laws protect construction workers when two or more, employed by the same contractor, act together for their mutual aid and benefit. Contractors who persecute or threaten workers doing these things violate the law and are subject to penalties, including paying back wages to workers they illegally fire.

How can you improve your job? Get at least one other worker employed by your contractor the more workers, the better and go to the contractor's representative (project manager, superintendent, general foreman) during non-working hours (before or after work, or during lunch) and openly ask for a raise. The contractor is not required to grant your wage increase, but sometimes he will, especially if a number of his craftspeople ask for an increase together.

If the contractor threatens you for asking, then he has violated the law. Go back to work, but after work, CALL US!  We can help you pursue legal remedies. Call 1-800-3-OPCMIA and ask for Vice President Michael Gannon.

COMMON CONSTRUCTION WAGE

WHAT IS COMMON WAGE?
Prevailing or fair wage is the rate of pay (hourly wage) legally established by the governments for each of the different craft and trade classifications that may be employed on a public works project.

WHAT IS A PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT?
A "public works project" is almost any construction project that is funded by public money (your tax dollars). This can be any combination of Federal, State, Provincial, and/or City funds. Most schools, colleges, government offices, hospitals, public housing, transportation facilities, and street or highway projects are public works.

KNOW YOUR COMMON WAGE
Each job classification has an established wage rate and may have an established benefits package. Your employer must pay you no less than the specific wage rate that has been established for your job. In order to pay you lower wages, your employer may try to classify you as an apprentice. Under laws in the United States and Canada, you are not an apprentice unless you are enrolled in a Certified Apprenticeship Training Program otherwise you must be paid the journeyperson rate of pay.

RIGHT TO ORGANIZE
Organization through unionism is a legal right. There are laws in effect to guarantee workers freedom of organization. Here is what one law says (quoted from the National Labor Management Act):

                            "Employees shall have the right to self organization to form
                            , join, or assist labor organizations..."

                            "It shall be unfair labor practice for an employer to interfere
                             with, restrain, or coerce employees in the exercise of the
                             rights guaranteed --(stated above)."

Courts have held that it is illegal for an employer to interfere with your rights by:
Making threats of loss of jobs or benefits.
Making promises of promotions, pay raises, or other benefits.
Making threats of physical force or violence.
Making threats of shop closings.

PROTECT YOURSELF-- KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

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