Union members protest labor contract

Union members are having a dispute about a labor contract with Sundt Construction and California State University, East Bay.

Protestors from Carpenters Local Union 46 have assembled daily in front of the Student Services and Administration building on campus for the past week with large signs and a papier-mâché grim reaper, handing out informational fliers and calling attention to inform the community of the ongoing labor dispute with Sundt.

The workers’ union based in Sacramento began protesting last week on campus and according to one of the protestors Jorge Jimenez the ending date of the demonstrations is yet to be determined.

The blue colored fliers read, “CSUEB has failed to require Sundt Construction and their subcontractors to pay the Carpenter Area Standard Wages and Benefits and to provide training and apprenticeship requirements on all their jobs all the time!”

However, Jeff Bliss, executive director of the Office of University Communications states, “these assertions are incorrect.” He explains that because the workers on campus are actually part of the union, there is typically a higher minimum wage than what is offered in carpenter’s standard wages and are offered better working conditions.

The union directly contradicts this, saying that CSUEB’s Facilities Development and Operations department did not require the contractor, Sundt or their subcontractors to pay fair wages, fair hours, nor proper working conditions for the construction of the five-story replacement Warren Hall building, which is adjacent to the Student Services and Administration building.

In addition, the union claims that proper training through apprenticeships was not provided for those who are part of the program. This is a very important component in building a career as opposed to “just a job,” according to Scott Littlehale, spokesman for the union.

The state approved Apprenticeship Program operated by the Carpenters Training Committee for Northern California allows training for union workers verified through the State of California and Department of Labor.

According to the registered apprenticeship website, apprentices who completed federally registered apprenticeship training programs had lifetime earnings of about $240,000 higher than those who did not. Including benefits, the earnings can reach over $300,000.

However, Bliss explains the university does not have much control over the apprenticeship program—who is enrolled, hours worked, and wages are not something that is up to the university to decide.

“The only thing in our control is the 20 percent set aside in the contract, [which goes] towards apprenticeships and education,” said Bliss.

Because Sundt contracts work in states other than California, Bliss believes that the union has a desire to pressure other places involved with Sundt to follow the examples which Bliss believes CSUEB has set for workers.

“California State University, East Bay, nor any CSU campus has any control over what is happening elsewhere,” said Bliss.

Protestors were seen standing while talking on their cell phones and did not give much information beyond what was on the flier.

Bliss explained the university had no prior notice to the protests, and so far, the campus has not been involved with the protest. He states the only information he has received is what is listed on the flier and there has been no communication between the university and the union.

“This is a free speech protest about wage,” said Littlehale. “Carpenters are protesting the fact that CSUEB is doing business with a contracting firm, [Sundt], that has used subcontractors who drive down wage and benefit standards, commonly known as ‘area standards,’ for Northern California carpenters.”

“Carpenters are speaking out in favor of standards for pay, benefits and training that we believe are good not only for carpenters, but for the communities that pay taxes, tuition and fees that sustain institutions like CSUEB.”

Neither party is planning further action, however according to Littlehale, “The process of informing the public can never be deemed unsuccessful; nor is that process ever complete.”