The first-in, first-out rule does not always apply in the publicity business, or so Glaziers Local 1281 and the Window and Plate Glass Dealers have learned. Back in April, the two organizations were the first—of all New York City unions and contractors with contracts set to expire in the April-June cycle—to reach agreement. However, that news was only announced July 20, overshadowed in part by the highly publicized collective bargaining talks between the Operating Engineers Locals 14 and 15 and the Building Contractors Association, Contractors Association of Greater New York and Cement League, says Jerry Haber, a Window and Plate Glass Dealers spokesperson.
Local 1281, which agreed last year to freeze its contract expiration date for a year, agreed in April to defer a $3.45 an hour raise for another year and to spread that raise over the remaining five years, says Haber. This is the third time the union agreed to defer the raise, which was originally scheduled to become effective May 1, 2010 and then deferred until this year. The glaziers trade, which is currently involved with the WTC memorial and Vornado’s 330 Madison project, is the only the trade that got a six-year package, Haber says.