A Portland factory making modular housing sections may soon be a union employer. Roger Krulak, president of Full Stack Modular, signed a letter of intent July 17 with the Portland Metal Trades Council committing to a union neutrality agreement. Under the agreement, not only does the company agree not to oppose a union campaign but it promises to give employee names and contact info to the Metal Trades Council, give organizers access to nonworking areas during nonworking time, and grant union recognition once a majority of workers sign union cards. Once recognized, if the two sides don’t reach agreement on a first contract in six months, they would submit their positions to arbitrator Barbara Diamond for binding arbitration. Both parties also pledge not to disparage each other, and the Metal Trades Council commits to publicly support and endorse Full Stack as an investment opportunity.
Full Stack Modular is headquartered in Connecticut and is expanding on the West Coast, setting up a factory in Portland’s Swan Island Industrial Area. The company makes pre-fabricated building sections that can be stacked up like Legos to create multi-story structures like dorms, hotels, and affordable housing projects. The units have pre-installed plumbing, electrical, cabinets, tile, and showers.
Portland Building Trades President Ben Heurung said Full Stack currently employs 60 to 80 workers but is expecting to grow. Under the agreement, workers would be members of the relevant craft unions — including Plumbers Local 290, IBEW Local 48, Insulators Local 36, and Painters Local 10.
Heurung had nothing but praise for Krulak, who he contacted after hearing about Full Stack at a meeting of the Northwest Oregon Labor Council.
“He’s a very savvy businessman,” Heurung said. “The Metal Trades Council looks forward to working with him, and we’re excited to see how this goes.”
