Painters’ union strikes four-year deal with construction industry association

A recent deal struck between DC9 International Union of Painters and Allied Traders, representing 4,000 painters in the New York area, and industry association, the Association of Master Painters and Decorators of New York could set a precedent for 30 or more other building trades contracts coming up for renewal this summer, according to Crain’s.

Painters will see no raises in the first year of the four-year contract but raises totaling 9 percent over the following three years. Employers will have to give an extra 75 cents an hour for benefits in the first year. Good news for employers: No more health, pension or overtime costs, and a 7 percent cost reduction for certain interior projects.

Last Thursday’s deal comes as a relief for both parties; the painters’ union had been threatening a strike following a call from the Building Trades Employers’ Association for a 20 percent cut in wages and benefits to help contractors. [Crain’s]