MCK approves plan for Mercier Bridge contract

06/22/2011

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that it has endorsed a plan that directly addresses the union/non-union issue and paves the way for a business arrangement between Pomerleau and the Mohawk Bridge Consortium (MBC) that would allow works on the Mercier Bridge Contract B to begin. The MBC, along with representatives of the workers, met with Chief & Council to discuss the matter yesterday afternoon (Audio quote from Grand Chief Michael Delisle Jr. attached above).  

This arrangement allows those wishing to pay union dues to do so while permitting others to contribute an amount equal to the union dues to a Kahnawá:ke community fund. This would ensure all workers to be on the same footing in terms of wages after deductions.
 
The ‘union dues’ issue has been a sticking point, despite the progress made with Quebec that strengthens Kahnawá:ke’s jurisdiction in a number of significant areas. Quebec earlier agreed to formally recognize the Kahnawá:ke Trades Qualifications Program, which allows any qualified worker from Kahnawá:ke the opportunity to work on the bridge.

Additionally, Mohawk Self Insurance is the workers’ insurance authority and MCK’s health and safety jurisdiction will be maintained throughout the duration of the work, as indicated in Quebec’s recently passed Bill 17.

“As the contractor for Contract B (Pomerleau) has declared the job to be ‘union,’ this created a special set of issues that needed to be addressed,” said Grand Chief Michael Ahríhron Delisle, Jr. “The new arrangement should remove the final obstacle for the signing of the contract between Pomerleau and the MBC.” 
 
Further details will be announced pending the finalization of the contract. A joint statement from the MBC and the MCK will be issued at that time.