What’s New
Learn the latest news about the NWNCA, our projects and our partner contractors.
If you are a reporter and want to talk to an NWNCA representative please contact Eric Franklin at efranklin@nwnca.org
Free seminars set on ‘structured settlements’ for injured workers
Free seminars set on ‘structured settlements’ for injured workers
Last year, lawmakers in Olympia dramatically changed Washington’s workers’ compensation system. The biggest change was the legalization of “structured settlements,” also known as compromise-and-release buyouts, whereby employers can negotiate with injured workers to pay a series of lump-sum payments to settle claims.
Although organized labor aggressively opposed this change, it has become the law. Therefore, it is in the interests of union organizations to learn how this new system will work in order to best preserve the rights and protect the interests of workers injured on the job.
The Washington State Labor Council and the Project Help program will present two free seminars in January to explain the dramatic changes and answer questions about structured settlements. The seminars will feature presentations from various perspectives will give you an overall picture of the new structured settlement options, including from:
- Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO
- Self-Insured Ombudsman’s office
- Department of Labor and Industries
- Board of Industrial Insurance
- Washington State Association for Justice
- Project Help
The seminars will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.:
Friday, Jan. 20 in SPOKANE at Operating Engineers Hall, 510 S. Elm St.
Friday, Jan. 27 in OLYMPIA at the WSLC’s Davis-Williams Building, 906 Columbia St. SW
Due to limited space, registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. So the time to sign up is NOW! Please call Karen White at 206-281-8901 ext. 14 or email her at kwhite@wslc.org to register. You must indicate which of the two seminars you want to attend, and provide the names, union organizations, mailing addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers for each attendee.
The Project Help Program is a cooperative effort between the WSLC, the state’s business community, and the Department of Labor and Industries with the goal of facilitating early and successful resolution of workers’ compensation claims.
PLA for US Navy Bangor Wharf
PLA for U.S. Navy’s $600M Bangor wharf project is a first
SILVERDALE, Wash. (Dec. 15) — In an unprecedented move, the U.S. Navy has added the requirement of a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) to their newest construction project which will be put out to bid at the Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor. The Explosive Handling Wharf #2 project, estimated at $600 million, is expected to break ground in spring of 2012 in a community that will benefit from real economic growth.
Construction labor unions met with the U.S. Navy in November to explore the benefits a PLA would offer on this project. Cost savings and highly skilled labor proved to be the winning combination to secure the agreement. Once the project gets underway, this will be the first PLA utilized by the Navy.
An aerial view of a section of the Delta Refit Pier at the Bangor Submarine Base showing two Ohio class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines tied up at the facility. (www.dodmedia.osd.mil)
“The use of a PLA is a very good fit for the Navy’s business needs on this project,” said David Myers, Executive Secretary for the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council. “All construction unions came together and made a commitment to meet the very strict windows available to do construction on the waterfront. This sort of commitment to the project will ensure success and open talks for additional PLA’s in the future.”
The construction labor on this project will be provided by the Olympic Peninsula Building Trades and the Northwest Regional Council of the National Construction Alliance II (NWNCA).
“I applaud the decision to use an available, highly skilled local workforce,” said Lee Whetham, President of Olympic Peninsula Building and Construction Trades Council. “Many Fortune 500 companies have already completed successful construction projects using this same approach.”
“This PLA is a first for the Navy, and will lead to more across the country,” said John Littel of the Northwest NCA. “It demonstrates the leadership and value the Washington state construction unions bring to the industry.”
The Washington State Labor Council played an important early role in putting all the players in the room to prove the value of PLA’s to the Navy.
“This is an historic moment for the relationship between the U.S. Navy and labor,” said Jeff Johnson, President of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. “With this PLA, the Navy will get the highest quality product from our skilled building and construction trade workers and the local economy will get much needed family wage jobs.”
The Building Trades and the Northwest NCA II look forward to delivering the Navy a quality product that is both on time and safely built.
2011 NWNCA Summit
A successful conclusion to our two day summit January 4-5! Left to right: Curt Koegen IUOE 370, Ed Taylor IUOE 612, Ed Triezenberg Northwest Carpenters, Jimmy Matta Northwest Carpenters, Cass Prindle Northwest Carpenters, John Littel Northwest Carpenters, Eric Franklin Northwest Carpenters, Daren Konopaski IUOE 302, Mike D'Antuano NCA, Doug Tweedy Northwest Carpenters, Ernie Evans IUOE 612, John Palmatier Alaska Carpenters, Ken Stroup Northwest Carpenters, Russ Burns IUOE 3, Carl Goff IUOE 3, Dan Hutchins Northwest Carpenters, Bob Alvarado Northern California Carpenters.
Deep Bore Tunnel Contract Awarded
The Washington State Department of Transportation announced a winner Thursday afternoon for the contract to build a deep bore tunnel under downtown Seattle.
But just a few hours earlier, opponents of the tunnel vowed to defend city taxpayers from being stuck with part of the bill.
The winning bid came from Seattle Tunnel Partners, made up of several contractors: Spanish-owned Dragados-USA, HNTB Corp., which has a Bellevue office, Tutor-Perini Corp. of Sylmar, California, Frank Coluccio Construction and Mowat Construction based in Western Washington.
The value of their winning bid was $1,018,123,002. Read more and view video….