The Mid-America Regional Bargaining Association (MARBA) says it has recently settled on a five year agreement with Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters (CRCC).
The successor agreement set to take effect on June 1, 2019 running through May 31, 2024 calls for wage increases of 3.25%, 3.25%, 3.00%, 3.00%, and 3.00%. The union represents about 30,000 carpenters in eight counties.
“This is a win-win agreement for both the Carpenters Union and our contractors, that produced a comprehensive plan for the future,” CRCC executive secretary-treasurer Gary Peniar said in a statement. “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.”
“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,” said Seth Gudeman, lead spokesperson for MARBA.
MARBA says that it will update by email about negotiation progress with other trade negotiations, including with trades that the employers’ group does not negotiate.
A list of the contracts expiring in the Chicago area (and rest of Illinois) can be found on the MARBA website.
MARBA will be negotiating with Teamsters Joint Council 25 for the collective bargaining agreement that expires on May 31. The parties are scheduled to meet in mid-April to beginning negotiations.