Current Issues

As of January 2012 work continues at the Regional Plant, apparently building a facility to bring drinking water to thousands does not require any full time plumbers on-site  or the 1 plumber they have on-site occasionally is SUPERMAN.

The informational picket was planned as part of the growing, organized “Local Jobs” movement, bringing awareness to the plight of the local organized workforce. The supporters’ were up with pickets before daylight on  Monday-October 17, 2011. The Star Attraction was a gigantic 30ft Red Eyed Rat.

At least 75 union members and “Local Jobs” Supporters’ were present. Prevailing-Wage pamphlets were given to workers’ and at least one worker was reported to have refused to cross the picket line.

Jeff Washburn, President of The Longview Kelso Building and Construction Trades Council said,

“He was overwhelmed with calls of support from many of the International Representatives of the affiliated Building Trades and extremely impressed with the turn-out of solidarity from all of our union brothers and sisters’, even with such late notice.”

Previously, the Local Jobs Supporters and union members addressed The Longview City Council about many issues related to the construction of the Regional Water Treatment Facility. However to date, the Prevailing Wage issues, including the use of out-of-town carpenters’ to displace Local Plumbers and Steamfitters’ has not yet been addressed by local elected officials.

In Cowlitz County, an Out-of-town contractor  can under-bid our locals’ EVERYTIME and pay them 20-30% less pay on a prevailing wage job. These Outsiders’ CHEAT the system by mis-classification of work (using out of town carpenters & Operators’) to install Public potable water piping.