POOL OF QUALIFIED CRAFTSMEN/WOMEN - When a contractor obtains labor from the Union, he can request craftsmen/women in the numbers required for a specific project or situation. He will get qualified, trained people that are capable of performing any aspect of the craft. When that project is completed or circumstances dictate a reduction in the labor force, he can lay off the necessary number of workers and they can return to the hall and be placed on the referral list. He would also have the ability to recall workers by name within 180 days providing those workers have not accepted other employment.

PREVAILING WAGE ECONOMIC BENEFITS – The Union provides a state certified training facility (Apprenticeship Program). All apprentices are indentured by the State of Washington and their rates are therefore recognized as legitimate on prevailing wage projects. That means that instead of paying the posted journeyperson’s rate for every worker on a project, the contractor would have the ability to utilize apprentices on those projects at a recognized lesser rate which equates to the ability to realize savings on labor and to bid those projects accordingly. This allows the contractor to be more competitive in the bidding process that yields more contract awards.

BID ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS – The Union has in place programs that can assist signatory contractors to be competitive on specific projects. There is flexibility, in certain situations, to allow journeyperson/apprentice ratios to be adjusted to aid in an overall reduction in labor costs that would allow the contractor to be more competitive. Project targeting can be used in certain circumstances to aid the contractor in procuring contract awards. Various approaches can be used for this purpose. Market recovery funding can also be utilized to attain the same goals.

ADMINISTRATIVE COST REDUCTION - Signatory Union contractors pay fringe contributions on their employees to a single location monthly. This single payment structure eliminates the need for multiple payments to various locations that could save the contractor time and money.