The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 701 and other building trade unions will banner outside the Oregon-Columbia Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America’s Wilsonville headquarters starting today, Tuesday, Feb. 6.

In January, the Oregon-Columbia AGC filed a motion for a temporary restraining order against a Community Workforce Agreement established with ODOT. This order is one of many restraining orders AGC has filed against community agreements on state and federal projects across the United States.

The state says the order is blocking progress on ODOT’s planned I-84/Highway 197: The Dalles, Rufus & Arlington Bridges project. ODOT reports that the restraining order could impact at least seven other much-needed state infrastructure projects ODOT has planned with community agreements.

Community agreements are vital for ensuring union labor apprenticeship opportunities, diversifying the workforce, and providing jobs with living wages and dignity.

ODOT’s recent statement on the restraining order:

“CWAs are a critical tool for ensuring that major construction projects create opportunities for local people and disadvantaged workers … We have a serious workforce challenge at a time when we have an increasing number of ODOT projects to deliver. CWAs are one tool to build a strong and diverse worker pipeline.”

At its core, Oregon-Columbia AGC’s actions are emblematic of corporate greed. As Oregon and its diverse labor community progress towards more equitable job opportunities, associations like AGC aim to pull us backward.

Community agreements are a proven solution to workforce shortages and racial inequity in job hiring.

Recently, community agreements successfully guided projects in and around Portland, including:

·       USPS Site Infrastructure for Prosper Portland 

·       Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Facility for the City of Portland

·       Multnomah County Library

IUOE 701 is leading the drive to shame Oregon-Columbia AGC this week for blocking local apprenticeship opportunities, community benefits, and work for a skilled and diverse workforce of disadvantaged workers. IUOE 701 and our labor allies hope this action will motivate Oregon-Columbia AGC to drop the restraining order and support Oregon’s efforts to diversify our workforce.

What: Banner to call out AGC for blocking a Community Workforce Agreement with ODOT

When: Tuesday, Feb. 6 from 7:30 a.m.-2p.m.

Where: AGC HQ, 9450 SW Commerce Cir., Wilsonville, OR 97070

AGC is a trade association with both union and non-union contractor members. Portland-area union contractors within AGC, like McDonald Excavating, Coffman Excavation, and Granite Construction (among others) regularly work under community workforce agreements and consistently meet apprenticeship and diversity standards for their projects.

IUOE 701 represents over 3,900 heavy equipment operators, heavy duty repairers, technical engineers, and stationary engineers throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Follow us on X/Twitter, (@IUOE701), Instagram (iuoelocal701), and on our website https://www.iuoe701.com/.

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