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Union declines Snyder's help, state road projects stall continues

MITA is willing to compromise, but is waiting on the union to enter the conversation.

LANSING, Mich. - Despite westbound 1-96 reopening Friday, road construction projects all over Michigan are on hold due to a contentious dispute between contractors and a labor union.

Around 100 local and MDOT projects are completely or partially shut down after the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA) imposed a 'defensive lockout' on the Operating Engineers Local 324 Union on Sept. 4, according to MDOT.

The contract between MITA and Local 324 expired in June. MITA offered a new proposal, which the union rejected, unwilling to negotiate a new contract.

MDOT said Thursday it hopes the two parties can reach an agreement, but contractors may incur costs if the delays continue. Governor Snyder also issued a statement, offering state mediation assistance to achieve a resolution.

"We, right now, have a historic level of funding for road repairs, and yet we have road projects that are sitting idle," said Ari Adler, director of communication for Governor Snyder's office. "It's unacceptable to the governor. It's a serious issue that needs to be dealt with."

MITA is willing to compromise, but is waiting on the union to enter the conversation, said Mike Nystrom, executive vice president of MITA.

"The industry stands ready [to negotiate] if [mediators] can help out in some way. We would happy to have them do so," Nystrom said. "The federal mediator doesn't even get phone calls back from the union, so, obviously, they aren't that interested."

Local 324 issued a release Friday, calling for an end to the lockout, denounced as layoffs. The union instead has tried to work with individual contractors.

“As there is no contract in place, and there have not nor will be negotiations between Operating Engineers 324 and MITA, there is nothing in dispute,” said OE324 spokesperson Dan McKernan in the release. “Operating Engineers 324 has not threatened action against the contractors, and have taken no aggressive or hostile actions, including strikes or slow-downs.”

Nystrom said some MITA contractors approached the union independently and were still given no negotiating power. McKernan said the union could not comment on individual negotiations.

Snyder said he has contacted the attorney general's office to assess possible legal action for addressing the conflict. A spokesperson for Bill Schuette said he is reviewing the request.

"[Snyder] has people looking at all the different options to see what we can do under existing law," Adler said. "We're going to look at if we need to change the law in some way, and we're working with the attorney general to get some advice on how some of that might work in terms of the contract provisions."

The entrance ramp onto westbound I-96 at Plainfield Avenue remains closed with no timetable for a reopening. Here is a list of how MDOT projects are affected by the lockout:

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