Those of us who are concerned about ODOT use of contractors should take a look at today's Oregonian. In a front-page article, the Oregonian does a pretty good job of describing the Hwy 20 fiasco and putting the blame where it belongs: an out-of-state contractor who couldn't care less about Oregon and an agency recklessly signing contracts that they can not or will not adequately oversee.
Here's the link:
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1182831910173560.xml&coll=7
Hopefully there will be increased scrutiny of ODOT's crappy contracting system as a result of the article.
-John
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5 comments:
When is the legislature and ODOT going to learn that contracting out almost always costs more. The type of project they are talking about in this article is "way out there" in the realm of contracting.
However, I don't see how ODOT can let the contractor out of the contract, nor can I see ODOT paying an addition $61 million dollars. This project appears to be in a no-win situation.
John,
Take a look at Article 13 of the CBA...Which is bargained each and every year and has been watered down considerably in the past 27 years.
Get the team to bargain some teeth back into the contract within this article.
Out of state...Google Massachusetts and the "Big Dig." Eddyville can't hold a candle to the problems other associations and unions.
One of the non-economic issues still on the table is article 13... your bargaining team has ambitious goals to put some 'teeth' into the language. It definitely isn't easy language to win but they are committed to moving it in the right direction to hold these contracts accountable.
odotorganizer,
Absolutely, it isn't easy language to bargain but holding contractors accountable at this point in ODOT is a tough row to hoe.
The governor signed the OTIA III bridge reconstruction legislation session before last in an effort to stimulate Oregon's economy. It has done much less for the ODOT work force which has considerably dropped in numbers since that legislation was enacted. OTIA III is so large ($10-12 Billion) that ODOT as an agency can't even administer the operation of the program. The SEIU politcal team should have asked the international for 10-20 Waves when this legislation was being ram-rodded through?
Anytime an article such as Article 13 which I believe is permissive to bargaining is opened you run the risk of getting whacked worse than you were before the article was opened to bargain. How many times does language get made stronger or better after a long historical series of take-aways?
I remember when Article 13 had $150 K per job/year limit instead of the current $30 K per job/year before the agency had to present a feasibilty study. The article has gone from having some teeth to nearly toothless and in need of dentures.
The conditions of Article 13 require the agency to present all contracts less than the limit to the executive director for perusal. Why don't the ordinary workers of ODOT see these feasibility studies? The workers of ODOT would know much better if the contractors were being truthful if they saw the work being done. Who knows better their job...the ODOT Highway Worker or the executive director? So many jobs flood through the State VIP system unbeknownst to the union without feasiblity studies we will never get our head above water to hold the contractors accountable. We need much more help from the union so we can compare what jobs we see in the field to find out if they have followed the current language of Article 13.
Politically look at the geographic location of the Associated Oregon Contractors building in relation to the T-Building and the Capitol and the firmly trodden path between all three.
P.S. This post is not meant to insult any individual. It is here to merely ask questions and get the answers that all ODOT Local 730 workers should have the right to know how the union is working to solve these huge problems and be honest in their response.
Since a member paid organizer is the Blog leader it will show the power the administration and organizers of 503 have over the freedom of speech constitutionally given to the represented workers. (You can omitt this paragraph...I know you know where your bread is buttered and how you are handcuffed in carrying out the duties of your job. Sorry.)
It may not be clear in the article language but $30,000 is stronger language thatn $150,000. 30k is a lower limit, causes the agency to notify us sooner.
Your other idea though is the one I would like to ask about.
I get several feasability studies a month. (99% of them have to do with new IS (computer folks) positions)
How do we, as a Local, get the information out and back in time to be useful?
Is this blog (open to the public) the conduit?
Who is willing and has the time to coordinate the effort?
Current ODOT laborers remember when we designed and operated our own information systems. Our Union members remember when we paved our own roads, cleared mud, rocks and debris from OUR roads, built our equipment and engineered & inspected our roads.
Most employees support ODOT helping our economy. We are Oregonians. Like you, I find it hard to watch our work go to some contractors who do not finish the job or underbid the job and then crank the cost up as they go. All of us have had to deal with work that needed attention within a year of the contractor leaving.
503 is actively working to regulate contracting out. 503 has hired an organizer named John Mulvey. His job is contracting out. His job was contracting out leading up to & through the legislative session. He is always looking for more information that will help him convince current and future legislators that we need better laws regarding contracting out. He works out of the Portland 503 office. Telephone number 800.527.9374 ext. 407.
Bart Cotta, TMS2 Hunter's Creek, is ODOT 730's representative to 503 for contracting out. Bart, who is also the Local 730 Chief Steward, has been involved in many ideas to fight off contracting out, including testifying at our state legislature.
Cameron M McGinnis
TMS2 Meacham
ODOT Local 730
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