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Las Vegas Teamsters Ratify Improved Construction Agreement
Workers Win Wage Increases, Keep Rights on the Job
Members of Teamsters Local 631 recently ratified a new Master Construction Agreement (multi-employer agreement) improving the wages and benefits of 350 workers throughout the city. The new agreement was overwhelmingly ratified by the membership by over 94%.
Mainly working on road pavement projects, these Local 631 members have been exceptionally busy over the past several years due to the construction boom in Las Vegas. With the new stadium and convention center both being finished last year and the recent completion of Resorts World, there has been a great need for road and traffic safety improvements.
“Our members have stepped up to the challenge of road and other public works projects and we were determined to win an improved agreement for them,” said Tommy Blitsch, principal officer of the local union. “The local has represented workers in the construction industry since at least the 1960’s and we are continuing our winning streak.”
In addition to wages being increased each year of the agreement, a provision for double-time after 12 hours has been restored, as well as the reversal of some other monetary concessions agreed to when the construction industry was experiencing a downturn several years ago.
“The local’s negotiating team, which has worked on the last three agreements, fought back against management’s attempt to gain an employer rights clause, and their attempt to remove both dues checkoff and the payment of overtime rates for weekend work,” said Thomas Memmer, Business Agent for the unit. “We could not have done it without our terrific negotiating team of Tommy Blitsch, John Frame and Mark Radke.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.