JH Kelly — one of the Northwest’s largest construction contractors — is such a solid union partner that “we proudly sell union labor” features prominently in its online “culture and values” statement. Surely JH Kelly wouldn’t oppose a union campaign. Or so some employees thought.
In July, they found out otherwise. JH Kelly employs only union members to perform construction labor in the field. But its several hundred office and professional staff up to now have been non-union. Now a group of employees are seeking to join Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 11.
In July 20, Local 11 asked CEO Mason Evans if he would sign a neutrality agreement — something union-friendly employers sometimes do. Under the proposed agreement, the company would share employee lists and contact information with the union, allow union organizers access to offices and work sites, and agree to formally recognize the union if a majority of workers sign union authorization cards.
It didn’t take Evans long to decide. The next day, he sent a message to all company employees:
“I want you to hear directly from me about JH Kelly’s position: JH Kelly is 100% against signing a neutrality agreement because a neutrality agreement would limit the company’s ability to communicate our views, provide information, and answer questions about this campaign.”
The message goes on to explain that JH Kelley is a proud union contractor because building trades unions offer a high-quality apprenticeship program, portable pension and healthcare benefits, and a hiring hall that supplies labor based on workforce needs.
“An administrative union like OPEIU Local 11 is a different type of union than the Building Trades and does not offer an apprenticeship program or a hiring hall,” Evans wrote. “Our company has not wanted or needed an administrative union to represent our staff for over 100 years and does not need or want one now.”
The Labor Press reached out to Evans for this story but did not hear back.
Several union supporters who spoke to the Labor Press said JH Kelly is a great place to work, but having a union would give workers greater say in terms and conditions, as well as the security of a binding union contract.
Under federal law, whether workers will be union-represented is up to them, not the CEO.
Union supporters are continuing to talk with co-workers. Thus far, there’s no sign that the company is mounting an overt anti-union campaign.
