FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions By Contractors

What’s in it for me?
We can help you increase productivity with a safe, skilled work force and decrease your administration costs for health insurance and retirement plans. We can help increase profits and savings on prevailing wage work through known labor costs, training, a stable workforce, and a hiring hall. We offer training and certification for OSHA, MSHA, Hazmat, CCO and forklift requirements, as well as training to improve operator skills and productivity.

Are you going to tell me how to run my business?
NO! We want to partner with you by providing a skilled labor force for your multiple jobs of any size or location. You retain the right to determine the sizes of your crews.

How much will this cost?
There are no association fees or costly transition fees for administration of the health care or retirement plans. You only agree to pay wage and benefit rates.

How can I compete by paying union wages?
You may actually be paying out more through more frequent employee turn-over, lower productivity, higher training and safety certification costs, and unnecessary administration costs. We are in the business of helping you make money, not increasing your costs.

How long do I have to be signatory, and can I get out if I don’t like it?
All contracts are renegotiated after a predetermined period of time.

Are you going to help me find work?
Local 49 will include your company on a list of union contractors and sub-contractors.

Do all my operators get paid the same?
No. Minimum wages are determined by group classifications in the agreement.

How do your benefits work?
Set hourly rates for health and pension are paid to the fund administrators who disperse the fund. The health insurance plan is an 80/20, and the pension is a defined benefit plan.

Can I hire subcontractors?
We can provide your company with names of numerous contractors specializing in a wide range of work, which can help you remain competitive.