LOCKED OUT: With project labor agreements, unions say they're just trying to bring projects in on-time and under budget

摘要

The past few years have been cruel to the building trades. With the exception of residential construction, most markets have languished in the early 21st century recession. While so many specialty contractors have chosen to diversify, find new revenue streams, and take what little work they can find, Tim Weir has let millions of dollars in public construction work pass him by without even bothering to bid. It's not that his St. Louis-based AMP Electric doesn't have the manpower to finish the jobs on time or under budget. And it's not that he wouldn't like to have the work. Despite tough economic times, he just doesn't want to have anything to do with the projects, because in doing so, the open-shop contractor believes he'd be submitting himself and his company to the "tender mercies of the IBEW" and the control of union leadership.