November 20, 2008

 

Letters to the Editor

The Patriot Ledger

400 Crown Colony Drive

P.O. Box 699159

Quincy, Ma 09969-9159

 

Dear Editor,

 

Ron Cogliano claims "there is a conflict of interest" in having two Union representatives sit on a Committee that monitors compliance with Quincy's Responsible Employer Ordinance (REO).  [11-19-08]

The Quincy REO requires that contractors on City projects comply with several items including: proper payment of wages, Unemployment Insurance, Workers Compensation Coverage, Pay Roll Taxes and maintenance of a bona fide apprentice training program.

Building Trades Unions negotiate agreements with our contractors that require all of the above and more.  We make sure our 75,000 members receive the wages they deserve, comprehensive health insurance for themselves and their family's as well as good pensions and safe working conditions.  We invest $28 million a year of our own money training Apprentices and Journeymen in the construction industry.  We monitor these contractors to guarantee compliance.  We also monitor non-union contractors on public projects to ensure that the non-union workers on these projects receive the wages and benefits they deserve.

There are many non-union contractors who meet the REO requirements and thus are eligible to bid and work on Quincy projects.  However there are a signifigent number of non-union contractors who regularly violate these laws and should be prohibited from working on Quincy projects!  An example of a violator is D'Agostino Associates Inc who has had many violations in the past and has violations on the Quincy High project.  We don't say an employer like this should not be in business, but they should simply comply with the law like most of the other contractors.

 

 

 

 

 

The REO does not restrict bidding based on Union status it only insists on compliance to the same basic standards for all.  Ron Cogliano has repeatedly opposed setting these basic standards of fairness.

Which begs the question; who has the conflict of interest here: Unions who have fought to establish these basic standards for Union and non-union workers alike and have the experience in enforcing them.  Or Ron Cogliano who thinks that these standards should be repealed.   

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Robert L. Rizzi

President

Quincy & South Shore Building Trades Council

P.O. Box 690429

Quincy, MA 02269

(617-786-9193)