Springfield Roofers merge with Portland Local 49

The United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers on May 1 merged Springfield, Oregon-based Local 156 into Portland-based Roofers Local 49.

Local 156 represented 66 workers at two shops in Salem and Eugene, said Mike Thompson, business manager of Local 49. The shops are McGilchrist & Sons Roofing & Sheet Metal and Umpqua Roof Company, Inc.

The merger brings Local 49’s members to nearly 600 statewide. The union has contracts at 16 shops in Oregon, including a new contractor in Banks — Diversified Roofing and Construction.

“We signed them just last week,” Thompson said, noting that he and Local 49 president/business rep Darrell Hopkins will, for now, service the entire state.

Thompson said the defunct local’s Executive Board will remain intact in Lane County, sans the former business manager, Rick Shaw, who plans to leave the trade.