Evening star., 1959-10-22
Builders Join
Labor in Plea
On Bridge Pay
BY GILBERT GIMBLE
star stan Writer


Major labor and contractor
groups in the construction in
dustry here have urged the
District Commissioners to in
sure strict enforcement of con-
tract provisions covering work
on the new Washington Chan
mel Bridge.
The bridge substructure is
now being built by the Diamond
Construction Co.. a Savannah,
Ga. firm accused by the Build
ing Trades Council Of employ
ing non-union workers.
Spokesman for the unions
and the contractors say their
joint action in taking the mat
ter to the Commissioners is un-
precedented.
The Commissioners met late
last week with representatives
of the trades council and the
Greater Washington Central
Labor Council, appearing for
the unions; and officials of the
Master Builders Association and
the Construction Contractors
Council, representing manage
ment.
Stable Conditions Cited
Spokesman said their common
interest Ito safeguard condi-
tions in the construction indus
try now stabilized after years
of effort" led them to act to-
gether.
Specifically the Commission
ers were asked to enforce pro-
visions in the contract with
Diamond requiring the firm to
pay prevailing wages and abide
by job clasSifications.
Under the law all District
Government contracts must
contain clauses covering wages
and job classiflcations.
The biggest concern, accord
ing to union spokesman, is
over the job classification re-
quirement. This clause forbids
contractors from using a lesser
skilled tradesman for work
requiring greater skill without
paying him the higher wage
that goes with the higher classi-
fication.
The contractors point out
that they base their bids for
District jobs on estimated costs
rejecting union wages and
job classification requirements
since the larger contracting
firms here use union labor.
Competitive Issue
If non-union contractors can
base their bids on the expecta-
ton they can avoid paying the
higher union wages. those con-
tractors who employ organized
workers are placed in an unfair
competitive position.
Currently the Diamond firm
is being picketed by the Build
ing Trades Councillor shore
and by boat. The firm was the
lowest of Is bidders for a $1.9
million contract for construc-
ton Of % piers. The bridge is
to cross the channel near
Twelfth street and Maine ave-
nue. S.W.
John Holden, executive secre-
tary for the trades council,
said he wants District in
spectors to police" the project
for enforcement of the con-
tract provisions.
I'VE don't want a deck hand
to be used as a crane operator
and still be paid deck hands
rate" he said.
Robert Meyer, of the Charles
H. Tompkins Co., who repre-
sented the Construction Con-
tractors Council, said con-
tractors "are concerned about
conditions being broken down
and we're concerned about
being able to bid on an equal
basis"
May Endager Bids
If there is a general lack OF
enforcement, Mr.. Meyer said
some union contractors might
decide there's no point" in
bidding on two new Potomac
River bridges. Bids are being
taken on those contracts this
, month.
]. C. Turner, president of the
Central Labor Council, noted
that the bridge-building equip
ment brought here to do the
channel job may involve vari-
Gus tax requirements. He men
toned the city's 2 per cent
sales tax and personal property
taxes on the value of the equip
ment used here.
District Engineer Commits
sioner A. c. yelling said the
tax aspect is now being investi-
gated.
He said the District "is de-
termined to get proper enforce
ment of all contract provisions
on each of our public works
projects. This has already
meant some sharpening up OF
inspection procedures"