N.Y. Crane Operators End Strike

July 10, 2006 — The New York Times reported the strike led by the International Union of Operating Engineers ended late last week after it reached a settlement on a four-year contract, which calls for increased productivity and more than 20 percent raises for the city's crane operators.
 

The operating engineers' union, which represents more than 2,000 workers who operate cranes, compressors, backhoes, pumps, and excavators, went on strike on July 1 after rejecting demands that aimed to increase efficiency at construction sites. Christopher O. Ward, managing director of the General Contractors Association of Greater New York, announced the settlement late last week.

 

Before the strike, some construction industry officials had complained that some operating engineers had minimal duties during their eight-hour shifts, turning on a compressor in the morning and turning it off in the afternoon. Ward said that as a result of the settlement, some operating engineers whose only assignment during an eight-hour shift was to operate a pump for three hours would now have to work on other mechanical equipment. He added that the agreement includes raises of 5.25% a year for four year, and the basic pay scale for operating engineers is now $82.65 an hour • up from $72.03 under the old contract.