Carpenters’ strike would stop work at several NYC construction projects, including World Trade Center

Updated Jul 2, 2013
The spire of One World Trade Center approaches New York Harbor with the New York skyline in the background. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)The spire of One World Trade Center approaches New York Harbor with the New York skyline in the background. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Some of New York City’s biggest commercial construction projects would be halted should the Manufacturing Woodworkers Association not hammer out a deal with 350 cabinetmakers and wood installers that comprise the Local 2790.

According to a report by the New York Daily News, work at “4 World Trade Center, the General Motors building on Fifth Avenue and 59th Street and the Time Warner building at Columbus Circle” would all be stopped should woodworkers of the Local 2790 walk out today.

The two sides have been trying to come to an agreement for more than a year, but the Local 2790 refuses to agree to a 10-year wage freeze at the current rate of $31.24 along with reduced benefits. The MWA wants to “cap benefit contributions at 40 hours a week so it would no longer have to make pension, vacation and health care contributions on overtime pay.”

The disagreement centers mainly around the decrease in benefits which Stephen McInnis, president of the District Council of Carpenters representing the Local 2790 says is unacceptable.

The decision to go on strike Monday if a deal is not reached was made through a Thursday vote by the 350 Local 2790 members.