Union-company dispute surfaces in Edmond [The Edmond Sun, Okla.]

Jan. 23--EDMOND -- A carpenters union says a service provider for cities is morally obligated to allow only contractors who pay area standards to all carpenters.

On Monday, several protesters were standing a few blocks south of the 33rd Street-Boulevard intersection. The words "SHAME ON Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group" were flanked by "Labor dispute."

The Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group was formed by cities and towns needing life and health coverage for their employees. Owned and governed by the cities and towns it serves, it provides services to more than 450 cities and towns and 10,000 employees, according to information posted on the organization's website.

In addition to holding the banner, the protesters were handing out fliers. According to one of the fliers, the carpenters union has a labor dispute with Mitchell Acoustics.

Stephen Reel, in house general counsel with OMAG, said Mitchell Acoustics, an Oklahoma City company listed as Mitchell Acoustics & Drywall, was a subcontractor that worked on the office building at 3650 S. Boulevard. In December, OMAG moved into the new office building, Reel said.

Reel said OMAG was required to follow state construction law on the building, which meant it had to comply with the bidding process. Edmond'sShiloh Enterprises, 5720 N. I-35 Industrial Boulevard, was the low bidder, he said. Shiloh Enterprises has worked on many area projects including a number of schools in Edmond and Deer Creek.

As the contractor, Shiloh Enterprises hired subcontractors including Mitchell Acoustics, Reel said. In the flier, the carpenters union stated that in its opinion communities suffer when contractors fail to pay area standard wages and benefits.

"We believe that Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group has a moral obligation to allow only contractors who pay area standards to all carpenter craft workers on all projects the privilege to work on your project," the carpenters union flier states.

The flier urges readers to call a chairperson and tell her that they want her to do all she can to change this situation.

Steven Preston, project manager and vice president for Shiloh Enterprises, said the dispute was that the Carpenters Union wanted Mitchell Acoustics, a non-union company, to join. Mitchell Acoustics did not want to join. Preston declined further comment.

The Carpenters Union protesters in Edmond did not wish to be interviewed. A protester gave The Edmond Sun a name and a phone number to a voicemail box that has not been set up yet. A person at a local number on the flier referred The Sun to the Central South Carpenters Regional Council in Louisiana, an affiliate of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. The Sun left a message seeking comment with that office.

A call seeking comment from Mitchell Acoustics was not returned. Contact persons were out of the office on Monday, The Sun was told.

Reel said Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group had no involvement in who Shiloh Enterprises, the general contractor, selects as a subcontractor. He said OMAG complied 100 percent with state law regarding construction of the 20,000 square foot building. He also praised the quality of work.

"Shiloh has done an excellent job," Reel said. "We're very pleased."

In addition to being a tenant OMAG owns the building.

marks@edmondsun.com -- 341-2121, ext. 108

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