Union drama at WTC may not be over yet

Concrete laborers may have returned to work at the World Trade Center yesterday but labor turmoil at the site is not over, the Wall Street Journal reported. Another clash with the carpenters union threatens to result in strike if a deal is not struck with management today, when their contract expires. A strike was authorized Wednesday evening by a union that represents around 22,000 carpenters.

“You can’t stop it,” said Steven Spinola, president of the Real Estate Board of New York. “If it does happen, I don’t think it will be broad-based.”

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A spokesperson with the New York City District Council of Carpenters said an agreement was possible. Carpenters, the spokesperson said, are negotiating with several contractor groups, including the Cement League.

The majority of the World Trade Center concrete workers who were on strike earlier this week returned to work yesterday after their contract was extended for two weeks. [WSJ]