A new five-year agreement has been reached between the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters (CRCC) which represents more than 30,000 members and the Mid-America Regional Bargaining Association (MARBA), a multi-employer association focused on collective bargaining in the commercial construction industry. Representatives from both sides initiated early negotiations with the goal of reaching a resolution before the deadline. The new agreement, effective June 1, calls for annual increases which will go toward improving wages, healthcare and pension benefits.
“This is a win-win agreement for both the Carpenters Union and our contractors, that produced a comprehensive plan for the future,” says Gary Perinar (pictured above), executive secretary-treasurer of the CRCC. “By addressing contractor concerns and delivering a very good contract for our members and their families, we’ve eliminated the possibility of incurring work stoppages. Our firm commitment to training, safety and productivity to ensure that our members and contractors maintain their competitive advantage and market share, will always be our top priority.”
MARBA’s Seth Gudeman adds, “These negotiations were very successful due to the collaborative spirit of our union partners. It has led to a plan that helps provide clarity while being mutually beneficial to all parties. This new agreement will provide stability and certainty within the construction industry.” Both parties struck a strong balance to strengthen contractor and labor relations for the foreseeable future.
The Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters (CRCC) represents tens of thousands of working men and women throughout 72 counties in Illinois and Eastern Iowa. Since 1881 their Regional Council has been a productive, positive force in building communities while improving the lives of its skilled members and their families. Members of the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters include professionals trained in these specialties: general carpenter, residential carpenter, exhibit and display installer, interior systems carpenter, lather, cabinetmaker and millworker, flooring installer, pile driver, millwright, insulation installer, shingling and siding installer and concrete forming. For more info, visit CarpentersUnion.org.
