Shoreline58

I recently completed a project for a multi-billion $$$ CM firm. The site had roughly 1,200 men a day and was 100% union. Problem was that we are a specialty trade that has no union. Most of our guys are members of the laborer's union even though they are tile setters, cement masons, iron workers, pool plumbers , etc. After an initial "incident" we came up with a really good compromise that worked.

I met with the business agents for all of the unions that we would be "infringing" on and came away with a deal.

If I had 10 guys doing form work I would have the BA for the carpenter's union send me two of his guys from the hall.

I hired the on-site electrical contractor, after a lot of negotiation.

Iron workers from the hall to help with rebar.

When striping formwork you use laborers if the form material is going in the dumpster and carpenters if it is to be re-used.

The BA's were happy to give their guys the work and the union guys were happy to have the work. They really appreciated it when you would ask the BA for them by name.

All went well. No bad vibes or hassles. Just be sure to get it set up before your men show up for work the first time. I actually found the BA's very easy to deal with, their prime concern was keeping their men working and avoiding issues that would be non-productive.