Steel mill’s expansion leaves St. Paul Pipefitters out in the cold
http://www.workdayminnesota.org/articles/steel-mill%E2%80%99s-expansion-leaves-st-paul-pipefitters-out-cold
By Michael Moore, Union Advocate
January 12, 2014
ST. PAUL
State and local taxpayers are backing a $50 million expansion project underway at Gerdaus St. Paul steel mill with a package of incentives, grants and forgivable loans. But members of St. Paul Pipefitters Local 455 say the project has left local workers out in the cold.
The dispute stems from Gerdaus decision to accept a Georgia contractors bid to do mechanical work on the expansion project, which has otherwise been an all-union construction job.
Industrial Construction Services bid, according to Local 455 Business Manager Rick Magler, came in 50 percent lower than the closest Minnesota union contractors bid, raising concerns about worker training, job quality and area wage standards on the government-supported project.
Pipefitters from Local 455 this week shared those concerns with the public, manning a banner and distributing leaflets outside Gerdaus plant, located near the intersection of Interstate 494 and Highway 61.
FULL story at link.