CAM LABOR RELATIONS

Who is Eligible for CAM's Labor Relations Service?
Union contractors who employ Carpenters, Laborers, Operating Engineers or Cement Masons in Southeast Michigan and Operating Engineers in Outstate Michigan are eligible to benefit from the CAM Labor Program. There are no additional costs or paperwork involved. A contractor may choose to remain an Independent Contractor and continue to use his Independent Agreements with the unions, or he may choose to upgrade to the CAM-negotiated labor contracts by appointing CAM as his collective bargaining agent. The benefits are the same regardless of whether the contractor remains signatory to his Independent Agreements or becomes signatory to the CAM-negotiated contracts. To date, over 375 contractors are using the CAM Labor Program.

The service is based on the contractor simply directing his monthly Industry Advancement Fund (IAF) contribution of $.10/hr to CAM by using the CAM Section on the fringe benefit contribution forms. Your IAF contributions are an asset that you can use to obtain a benefit. Understand that your IAF contributions are received by a contractor association; they do not go to the union or to your employees. Ask yourself – What are you receiving now from the associations to which you have been sending your IAF contributions? Doesn't it make sense to maximize the use of this asset by receiving labor relations services from CAM?

What are the Benefits of CAM's Labor Relations Service?

1. You will be able to call CAM to obtain assistance with all labor-related questions.
2. You will continuously receive information about current developments in labor relations in Southeast Michigan and be included in the CAM Labor Program e-mail distribution list.
3. You will receive a password to the Labor Section of the CAM website.

Among the labor-related areas in which you will receive assistance are:

• Resolution of all disputes with labor unions related to both contractual and noncontractual matters.
• Information regarding upcoming changes in the scale of wages in the designated collective bargaining agreements, and wage rate/fringe benefit information on request for all building trades in the State of Michigan.
• Advice relating to proper work assignments, and assistance in resolving conflicting work claims between labor unions.
• Informational bulletins relating to current labor developments.
• Advice regarding the proper management response to union picketing of all types.
• If you so choose, representation in the negotiation, administration and interpretation of collective bargaining agreements with the seven CAM labor unions – Carpenters, Laborers Locals 1191, 1076 and 499 (Monroe County only), Operating Engineers Local 324, and Cement Masons Locals 514 and 1.

What is the Cost of CAM's Labor Relations Service?
CAM offers this service at no additional cost to you. The service is based on the contractor simply directing his monthly Industry Advancement Fund contribution to CAM instead of to whichever organization is now receiving it. You automatically do this by using the CAM Section on the union fringe benefit contribution form. You would use Section U on the Carpenter and Operating Engineer (Southeast Michigan) forms, Section A1 on the Detroit Laborer and Cement Mason forms, Section B1 on the Outstate Michigan Laborer form for work in Monroe County, and Section V for Outstate Michigan on the Operating Engineer form.

How Do I Become a Participant in CAM's Labor Relations Program?
You must first decide whether you want to remain signatory to the Independent Agreements or whether you want to upgrade to the CAM-negotiated contacts. If you want to remain with the Independent Agreements, you may obtain the agreement forms from Forrest Henry, CAM's Labor Relations Director. You would return the completed forms to the applicable Union.

To upgrade to the CAM-negotiated labor contracts, you will need to complete the CAM Authorization Form that appoints CAM as your collective bargaining agent. Forrest Henry will provide this form to you. Understand that you may cancel or amend your Authorization Form at any time, and you may leave the CAM Labor Program at any time. Only CAM's high level of service keeps contractors in the Program. Regardless of whether you choose the Independent Contracts or the CAM-negotiated Contracts, all benefits are available to you.

Who is the CAM Staff Member providing the Labor Relations Service?
To provide this service, CAM is employing Mr. Patrick Baker, M.A., JD. He is well qualified by experience and education. A labor attorney with over 14 years experience in the practice of law, Mr. Baker has trained for 2 years under the tutelage of Mr. Forrest Henry, Southeast Michigan’s foremost Labor Relations Attorney in the field of Commercial and Industrial Construction. Your questions are welcome. Contact Mr. Baker at the CAM Office (248.972.1117 or baker@cam-online.com) for a further explanation of CAM's labor relations service and how your company may obtain the greatest benefit.