Eisboch wrote:
"Harry Krause" wrote in message
. ..

The beauty of the unionized construction contractor-employee relationship
is that it doesn't matter if the employer is here today and gone tomorrow.
The funds are controlled by a joint trusteeship and are fully portable,
even throughout the country. Thus, if concrete contractor X goes out of
business in Detroit, a worker might relocate to Houston, have his business
agent get him on with another contractor, and the local there will forward
his health and welfare payments to the Detroit local, if that's what he
wants.

Same with pensions. Portability. And entirely undependent upon any
particular employer.



Well, it's obvious we are talking about two different kinds of small
business. Other than dealing with them, I have no experience working in the
construction industry, although I've heard horror stories from both sides.

Which is why I took exception to your ""Small" business is notorious for
shortchanging its employees"
statement.

Eisboch



My brother-in-law has a small construction business (20-30 employees
depending on how many projects are on the go).
I've heard my nephews complain that they are told to not put in all
their hours to keep below 48 per week , at which point they'd receive
1.5 x rate.
Most of the senior men are unionized but keep their mouth shut... or
they be looking for another job. My nephew was concerned about the
under-reporting because it affects pensions/benefits and hours tabulated
towards a journeyman designation.
note... none of them is ever paid in excess of the base hourly rate.