Building Trades News

Today, Craft Unions and Building Trades Councils are working with developers on more and more projects, which gives us the opportunity to have a say in how the project will be constructed. Working with developers and supporting their projects, we have an expectation that it will be built with Union Contractors or provide an even chance to bid fairly with Union Craft workers. For those developers who hire substandard contractors they will be opposed at some level and since they aren’t fully supporting the construction industry or communities where they want to build a project elected officials will have a greater reason to support the opposition, which would include our position at that point.

As Craftsmen and women, construction workers have an expectation that there will be new projects, that will be undertaken by a variety of companies, and there will be jobs while the construction is completed. But, what if project developers; ie: home builders, commercial office builders, manufacturers and industrial companies or government agencies don’t build new projects? What if local, state or federal agencies refuse to approve new projects because of over-regulation or public opposition?

Developers face these kinds of problems in every project that is proposed. The Craft Unions’ representatives are asked to participate in the debates that are taking place, by some developers who want our help in speaking to elected officials and various agencies that approve or deny permits for a variety of purposes. Everything from zoning and floor area ratios, which are restrictions on the type of development that can be approved in a particular zoning area and the size of a project that can fit on a plot of land, to environmental requirements that in California are governed by the California Environmental Quality Act, come into play in every project’s permitting process. For the last five years more developers have participated in “green” projects and used LEED Standards for their project design. LEED stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design” – these standards have become a part of any major development in today’s ultra sensitive, environmental conscious construction industry.

The Crafts have continually supported a variety of projects, however, after years of experience with all kinds of developers and communities, there are some rules that we have determined are best followed when a project has been proposed.
Number one is that the Developers reach out to the people who live in proximity to the proposed project to establish what their concerns are and to work with leaders to address the community concerns in some way. Many times an area’s residents or businesses have issues that can be easily met, however, if the developer doesn’t meet with community representatives, the project can be stopped before it starts simply because of the lack of trust that will have been created.
Number two is that the proposed project has to have the expectation of meeting the environmental standards of the State and Federal Agencies that oversee the Environmental Impact process.

Every large project developer, and these are the projects that most of the experienced, skilled and competent contractors (Union Contractors) bid, must complete an Environmental Impact Report, obtain permits from the city or county where it is to constructed, and in our area, receive approval from the South Coast Air Quality Management District and in many cases the Coastal Commission. If any developer begins the approval process with a design that will not pass muster, they will become the target for any opposition that exists and will build when their non-compliance becomes known.

Number three is that the developer should have built support before the announcement is made that their project will start the permit process. Coming to general business, industry or labor representatives without outreaching to residents and businesses in the neighborhood where the project is going to be constructed will not help their process move forward. If the neighborhood residents and businesses are not provided an early opportunity for dialog they will base their views on any negative information that they find out on their own or are given by those who would oppose the project no matter what design it took.

And, finally and most importantly; Number four is that the developer must live up to what they have committed to or suffer the consequences. Changing designs, increasing density or bid-pedaling for a larger profit is a short term strategy that will assure the developer’s reputation is never resurrected. After all, trust is a developers biggest asset. Developers have to know that the Crafts take great pride in their reputations in the area that they cover and if a developer is willing to fulfill our expectations and follow through with agreements they make, the Crafts can support their projects.

There are thousands of projects where the Crafts can have an impact on the development proposal and with the participation of members who live within a proposed projects’ area, we can expand our influence. Members and their families are Craft Unions’ greatest asset and when they can participate in the support or opposition of a particular project with their Union we all win.