MTDC/L 78 – L 12A CBA Independent 07.01.2025 thru 06.30.2028

TRADE AGREEMENT

 

Between the

 

MASON TENDERS’

 

DISTRICT COUNCIL

 

OF GREATER NEW YORK

 

And

 

LABORERS LOCAL 78

 

OF THE LABORERS’ INTERNATIONAL UNION

 

OF NORTH AMERICA

 

And

 

LOCAL 12A ABATEMENT

 

OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

OF HEAT AND FROST INSULATORS

 

AND ASBESTOS WORKERS

 

And the

 

EMPLOYER

 

EFFECTIVE on and after July 1, 2025

 

To June 30, 2028

 

2025-2028

 

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AGREEMENT

 

This Collective Bargaining Agreement (hereinafter “Agreement”) is entered into by and between the

 

undersigned EMPLOYER (hereinafter “Employer”) and the MASON TENDERS’ DISTRICT COUNCIL OF

 

GREATER NEW YORK, affiliated with the Laborers International Union of North America, for itself and its

 

constituent Local Union Number 78 (hereinafter “Mason Tenders”) of the Laborers’ International Union of

 

North America and LOCAL 12A ABATEMENT of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators

 

and Asbestos Workers (“Asbestos Workers”) (hereinafter collectively the “Unions”).

 

.

 

ARTICLE I

 

Section 1—Exclusive Bargaining Representative

 

a. The Employer recognizes the Unions as the exclusive collective bargaining agent for

 

all employees covered by this Agreement.

 

b. The Employer agrees that, upon the Unions’ presentation of evidence of majority status

 

among employees in the bargaining unit, the Employer will voluntarily recognize the Unions as the exclusive

 

bargaining agent pursuant to section 9(a) of the National Labor Relations Act for all employees within the

 

bargaining unit.

 

Section 2—Scope of Agreement

 

a. This Agreement shall apply and is limited to all removal or abatement of asbestos, lead,

 

hazardous or toxic waste, hazardous or toxic materials, mold, biochemical remediation, HVAC, and duct

 

cleaning, as defined in Article IV in the five boroughs of New York City, Nassau County and Suffolk County.

 

ARTICLE II

 

Section 1—Subcontractors

 

The Employer agrees that it will not subcontract “on site” bargaining unit work as defined in

 

Article IV unless the Employer receiving the subcontract agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement

 

and/or has an Agreement with the Unions having jurisdiction over such work under Article IV of this

 

Agreement. When the Employer subcontracts any such work, the Employer shall be responsible for the

 

subcontractor complying with all provisions of the Agreement. Any Employer who subcontracts any such

 

work shall be responsible for the payment of wages, fringe benefit fund contributions, and working dues

 

checkoffs by such subcontractor. The Employer and the Unions hereby agree to the elimination of lumping.

 

Section 2—Affiliates and Subsidiaries

 

This Agreement shall be binding on the signatory parties hereto and shall apply to the parents,

 

affiliates, subsidiaries, alter egos, single employers, joint employers, or other ventures of the Employer.

 

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Section 3—Transfer of Ownership

 

If the Employer or any of the Employer’s owners forms, acquires or maintains by purchase,

 

merger or otherwise, a significant ownership interest or significant control in another company performing

 

bargaining unit work as defined in Article IV of this Agreement, this Agreement shall cover such other

 

company’s bargaining unit work, and the employees of such other company performing bargaining unit work

 

shall be considered an accretion to the bargaining unit.

 

Section 4—No Circumventing of Wages & Benefits

 

The Employer agrees that it will not subcontract any work covered by this Agreement in order

 

to circumvent the payment of wages and fringe benefits and the working conditions provided for in this

 

Agreement.

 

Section 5—Liability of Affiliates

 

If the Employer or any of the Employer’s owners forms, acquires or maintains by purchase,

 

merger or otherwise, a significant ownership interest or significant control in another company performing

 

bargaining unit work as defined in Article IV of this Agreement, this Agreement shall cover such other

 

company’s bargaining unit work, and the Employer and such other company shall be jointly and severally

 

liable for each other’s obligations under this and all other agreements with the Unions.

 

Section 6—Work Covered

 

In order to protect and preserve, for the Handlers covered by this Agreement, all work

 

heretofore performed by them, and in order to prevent any device or subterfuge to avoid the protection and

 

preservation of such work, it is hereby agreed as follows: If and when the Employer shall perform any work

 

set forth in Article IV of this Agreement, under its own name or under the name of another, as a person,

 

company, corporation, partnership, or any other business entity, including joint venture and sole

 

proprietorship, wherein the Employer exercises either directly or indirectly any significant degree of

 

ownership, management or control, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be applicable to all such

 

work: (a) where the two enterprises have substantially identical management, business purpose, operation,

 

equipment, customers, supervision and/or ownership; or (b) where there exists between the Employer and

 

such other business entity, interrelation of operations, common management, centralized control of labor

 

relations and/or common ownership. In determining the existence of the aforementioned criteria, the presence

 

of the requisite control or commonality at any level of management shall be deemed to satisfy those criteria.

 

Should the Employer establish or maintain such other entity within the meaning of this Section,

 

the Employer is under an affirmative obligation to notify the Unions of the existence and nature of the work

 

performed by such other entity and the nature and extent of its relationship to the Employer.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Section 1—Union Membership

 

a. It shall be a condition of employment that all employees of the Employer who perform

 

work covered by Article IV of this Agreement shall become or remain members in good standing of the

 

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Union with jurisdiction over such work or shall pay uniform initiation and agency fees on or after the eighth

 

day following the date of execution of this Agreement, or after the eighth day following the beginning of

 

covered employment. The Unions agrees that the Employer will not be requested to discharge an employee

 

for reasons other than such employee’s failure to tender the periodic dues or fees uniformly required.

 

b. The Local Unions shall have the right to collect a reasonable fee for inclusion on the

 

roster of eligible laborers from all persons who are not members in good standing of the Union or are not

 

tendering uniform initiation and agency fees uniformly required. Said fee shall be collected to cover the

 

reasonable cost of maintaining the roster of eligible laborers. At the earliest date permitted by law, a person

 

who has paid said fee to be included on the roster of eligible laborers and is referred to an Employer shall

 

tender to the Union upon acceptance for employment by the Employer the uniform initiation and agency fees

 

uniformly required.

 

c. The Employer agrees to discharge, upon receiving seven days’ written notice, signed by

 

the Secretary-Treasurer of the Union, any employee with respect to whom such notice may state that such

 

employee has failed to tender uniform initiation and agency fees uniformly required, provided that said

 

written notice is also provided to said employee and that said employee has not paid the required initiation

 

and agency fees within seven days of the date of the written notice.

 

Section 2—Request for Handlers

 

a. Whenever an Employer requires employees to perform work covered by this

 

Agreement on any job, the Employer shall notify the Hiring Hall, either by telephone or in writing (on a form

 

to be supplied by the Union to all signatory Employers), stating the job location and the job start date and start

 

time, and the number and type of employees required.

 

b. Except as provided below, at the request of an Employer or his agent, the Hiring Halls

 

shall refer to the Employer any individual requested by name who is on that Union’s out of work list or any

 

individual who has previously worked for the Employer and is requested by name and is on that Union’s outof-work list and shall provide such individual with a dispatch slip without regard to where such individuals

 

are placed on the out of work list or whether they on the out-of work-list. The preceding notwithstanding:

 

i. on any job on which the Mason Tenders provide 80% of the Handlers for the Project

 

as required in Article IV, the Seventh Handler, and every fifth Handler thereafter (i.e. the 12th, the 17th and so

 

on), shall be an apprentice participating in the JATC administered program referred to in Article XIV, Section

 

1 (an “Apprentice”). The Employer shall further have the option of requesting that the 5th Handler and every

 

5th Handler thereafter (i.e. the 10th, the 15th and so on) also be an Apprentice. An illustration of such ratio is

 

attached as Schedule B (1) hereto.

 

ii. on any job on which Local 12A provides 80% of the Handlers for the Project as

 

required in Article IV, if Local 12A maintains an apprenticeship program, the seventh and every fifth Handler

 

thereafter (i.e. the 12th, the 17th and so on) shall be an apprentice participating in such program (a “Local 12A

 

Apprentice”). The Employer shall further have the option of requesting that the 5th Handler and every 5th

 

Handler thereafter (i.e. the 10th, the 15th, and so on) also be a Local 12A Apprentice. An illustration of such

 

ratio is attached as Schedule B (2) hereto.

 

c. In the event that a Hiring Hall is unable to fill any request for employees within fortyeight (48) hours after the request is made by the Employer, the Employer may employ individuals from any

 

other available source. The Employer shall inform the appropriate Union of the name and social security

 

number of any individuals hired from other sources and shall refer the individuals to the Hiring Hall for

 

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dispatch to the Employer. In the event a Union is unable to fill any request for Handlers on a timely basis and

 

such request is filled by the alternative Union, the Handlers provided by the alternative Union shall stay on

 

that job until discharged by the Employer. All future hiring on that job shall be divided by the original 80% –

 

20% ratio and no hirings or terminations shall be required to rebalance the ratio for the duration of the job.

 

d. The Employer shall have the absolute right to reject any job applicant or applicants

 

referred by the Unions in writing, with the exception of the Shop Steward, who can only be rejected in

 

compliance with the provisions of subsection 3(b) of this Article. In the event of such rejection, the Union

 

with jurisdiction over such work will refer another applicant or applicants to the Employer.

 

e. In the event that any applicable statute is enacted or any decision rendered by a court or

 

administrative agency having jurisdiction thereof, which statute or decision permits union security or hiring

 

provisions more favorable to the Unions than those contained herein, then the parties agree that this

 

Agreement shall be deemed amended so as to give the Unions the maximum benefits permitted by such

 

statute or decision.

 

Section 3—Handlers Qualifications

 

a. Any Handler referred or dispatched to an Employer shall not be entitled to commence

 

work unless such Handler is qualified and brings with him at the time he reports to work copies of the

 

following documents, which shall be given to the Employer at the time the Handler reports to work:(A) all

 

current licenses or certificates required to perform the work to which the Handler has been referred together

 

with documentation of the history of such license and any pertinent training certificates; and (B)

 

documentation of a current physical examination. No Handler an Employer employs shall have his pay

 

delayed or denied because of the Employer’s failure to collect the above referenced or any other legally or

 

contractually required documentation from the employee.

 

b. An Employer may reject any referral for any reason, with the exception of the Shop

 

Steward, who may not be rejected or discharged without written consent from the Union.

 

c. The employer acknowledges that Local 78 has implemented a Mandatory

 

Apprenticeship Program pursuant to which all Handlers on any job shall either be credited as Journeymen by

 

the Joint Apprentice Training Committee (“JATC”) or designated and enrolled as Apprentices in the JATC–

 

administered program. The Employer hereby agrees to abide by all rules and regulations and amendments

 

thereto, of Local 78 and the JATC concerning the implementation and maintenance of the Mandatory

 

Apprenticeship Program.

 

Section 4—Job Referral System

 

a. The job referral system set forth in this Article will be operated in a non-discriminatory

 

manner and in full compliance with Federal, state, and local laws and regulations which require equal

 

employment opportunities and non-discrimination, and shall not be affected in any way by the rules,

 

regulations, by-laws, constitutional provisions or any other aspects or obligations of union membership,

 

policies or requirements. All of the foregoing hiring procedures, including related practices affecting

 

apprenticeship and training, will be operated so as to facilitate the ability of the Employer to meet any and all

 

equal employment opportunity/affirmative action obligations.

 

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b. On jobs where the Employer has failed to notify the Unions, or on which it has otherwise

 

failed to employ, or maintain in employment, a shop steward appointed by the applicable Union, it shall be

 

liable in a grievance (payable to members of the bargaining unit as reasonably allocated by the Union) for an

 

amount equal to the pay and benefits for all hours worked by Handlers on the site in violation of Section 2

 

above, and shall further be obligated to immediately employ on the job, a Shop Steward and other Handlers

 

sufficient to prospectively remedy the violation. The preceding shall not be construed as limiting the Union’’

 

right to strike as elsewhere provided in the Agreement.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Section 1- Jurisdiction

 

The parties recognize the exclusive jurisdiction of the Unions over the removal, abatement,

 

encapsulation or decontamination of asbestos, lead, mold, or other toxic or hazardous waste, hazardous

 

materials which work shall include, but not be limited to: biochemical remediation, HVAC, duct cleaning, respray fireproofing; the erection, moving, servicing, operation, and dismantling of all enclosures, scaffolding,

 

barricades, decons, negative air machines; vacuum trucks, blasting equipment, chemicals and chemical

 

applying equipment, and any other tools, equipment or materials used in the removal, abatement,

 

encapsulation or decontamination of such waste or materials, as well as the servicing and operation of tools,

 

and performance of all work related to the sorting, labeling, bagging, cartoning, crating, packaging and

 

movement of such waste or materials for disposal; the movement and/or transportation and disposal of such

 

waste or materials to any authorized disposal site; the clean up of the work site and all other work and standby time incidental to the removal, abatement, encapsulation or decontamination of such waste or materials;

 

and the performance of fire watch duties.

 

Section 2 – Referral Procedures

 

a. Where work described in Section 1 above is performed within the five (5) boroughs of

 

New York City, or Nassau or Suffolk County on Long Island, jurisdiction over such work shall be divided as

 

follows: on all jobs the Mason Tenders shall provide 80% of the Handlers and the Asbestos Workers shall

 

provide 20% of the Handlers; provided that on industrial or Con Edison projects that solely involve the

 

removal of insulation materials from mechanical systems (e.g., pipes, boilers, ducts, flues and/or breechings)

 

that are not going to be scrapped, the Mason Tenders shall provide 20% of the Handlers for the project and the

 

Asbestos Workers shall provide 80% of the Handlers for the project as long as the applicable union is able to

 

refer sufficient numbers of qualified Handlers on a timely basis.

 

b. Whenever used in this Article, or elsewhere in the Agreement, the 80%-20% ratio for

 

the provision of Handlers on a job site where the Mason Tenders provide 80% of the Handlers shall be

 

observed as specified in Schedule B(1). The 80%-20% ratio for the provision of Handlers on a job site where

 

the Asbestos Workers provide 80% of the Handlers shall be observed as specified in Schedule B(2).

 

Section 2- Meaning of Handler

 

The term “Handler” as used in this Agreement includes all employees who perform work as

 

described in this Article IV of this Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE V

 

Except as expressly limited by other provisions of this Agreement, the Employer retains the

 

sole right: to manage the affairs of its business; to select foremen; to assign and schedule work; to increase or

 

decrease the work force and to lay off employees due to lack of work and other legitimate reasons, and to

 

select employees to be laid off, provided that the Shop Steward will be the last Handler laid off; to assign and

 

change the work, duties and job functions of specific Handlers, provided that the Employer does not interfere

 

with the ability of Shop Stewards to carry out their proper functions as Shop Stewards; to determine the

 

qualifications and competency of Handlers; to determine the number of hours to be worked; to discontinue or

 

close down, temporarily or permanently, in whole or in part, the operations of its business or to sell part or all

 

of such business or operations; and to determine the number of employees assigned to any particular job or

 

task.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Section 1—Shift Scheduling

 

The Employer shall have the right to schedule shifts, days and hours of work and daily starting

 

and quitting times for Handlers, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement.

 

Section 2—Workweek & Workday

 

The workweek will start on Monday and conclude on Saturday. Employees shall be paid for all

 

time that it is reasonably necessary for them to be on the site in order to fulfill their job duties and

 

responsibilities, and any such other time as they are under the direction of the Employer.

 

Section 3—Shift Differential Pay

 

There shall be no shift differential pay.

 

Section 4—Overtime

 

a. Overtime shall be defined as all hours worked in excess of eight hours per day or forty

 

hours per week. In addition, overtime shall include all work performed on Sundays. Overtime shall be paid at

 

the rate of one and one-half times the Handler’s regular straight-time rate of pay.

 

b. There will be no restriction on the Employer’s scheduling of overtime. Overtime shall

 

be offered to Handlers then currently performing the work scheduled for overtime on the job site. The

 

Handlers may reject such offers of overtime without being subject to discipline. The Employer can require

 

Handlers to work overtime in the event of an emergency. The Employers can require specific Handlers to

 

work overtime to complete a specific task on which they are working. No Handler shall be required to work

 

more than 14 hours in any one day.

 

c. All work performed between midnight (of the prior day) and midnight on the following

 

holidays shall be paid at the rate of one and one-half the Handler’s regular straight-time rate of pay.

 

New Year’s Day

 

Good Friday

 

Easter

 

Memorial Day

 

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Independence Day

 

Labor Day

 

Veterans Day

 

Thanksgiving Day

 

Christmas

 

Section 5- Lunch Break

 

There shall be a half-hour lunch break commencing no later than the completion of the fifth

 

hour of work for Handlers. Adequate time shall be provided during the lunch break for Handlers to follow

 

procedures for leaving and re-entering the containment area to allow for no less than thirty minutes of break

 

time for each Handler outside the containment area. Handlers working a shift of more than 12 hours shall

 

receive an additional one-half hour unpaid meal period, approximately at the mid-point of the second half of

 

their shifts. Within the limits described herein, the Employer may, at its discretion, stagger lunch periods to

 

allow Handlers time to clean up. For among other remedies, the Unions shall have the right to withdraw labor

 

in the event the Employer fails to supply a lunch break for Handlers as required herein.

 

Section 6—Reporting Pay

 

a. If the Employer requests Handlers to report on any day and such Handlers report for

 

work on that day at the designated time with the requisite respirator and paperwork, as described in Article III,

 

Section 3, but are not put to work, then such Handlers shall be entitled to two hours’ reporting pay at their

 

regular straight time rate of pay, except in circumstances beyond the Employer’s control, or unless the

 

Handler had been informed not to report, had failed to comply with subparagraph d below of this Section 6, or

 

was sent home for misconduct.

 

b. If the Employer requests employees to report on any day, and such employees report

 

for work on that day at the designated starting time with the requisite respirator and paperwork, as described

 

in Article III, Section 4 (Hiring Hall), and are put to work, but work fewer than four (4) hours, then such

 

employees shall be entitled to four hours’ reporting pay at their regular straight time rate of pay, except in

 

circumstances beyond the Employer’s control, or unless the employee was sent home for misconduct. If an

 

employee works six or more hours, but not in excess of eight hours, he shall be compensated as if he worked

 

eight hours. The preceding shall not apply to handlers who fail to report on-time for their required shift, or

 

who leave the job by their own choice prior to the Employer concluding the shift.

 

c. Whenever reporting pay is provided for Handlers, they will be required to remain at the

 

work site available for such time as they receive such pay, unless released earlier by the principal supervisor

 

of the Employer at the work site or his designated representative.

 

d. Each Handler shall furnish his Employer with his current address and telephone

 

number, and shall promptly report any changes in each to the Employer.

 

Section 7—Guarantee of Availability

 

Except as provided in Section 6 above, it is understood and agreed that neither the provisions

 

of this Article nor any other provisions of this Agreement are to be considered a guarantee of the availability

 

in a workweek of any particular number of days or hours of work or pay for any Handler.

 

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ARTICLE VII

 

Section 1—Wage Rates

 

a. Wage rates for Handlers shall be in accordance with Schedule A annexed to this

 

Agreement.

 

b. The wage rate for Foremen shall be $2.00 per hour above the prescribed rate for

 

Handlers.

 

c The Unions, in their sole and absolute discretion, reserve the right to allocate or

 

reallocate any wage rates or fringe benefit contribution rates set forth in Schedule A, as long as uniformly

 

applied under this Agreement.

 

Section 2—Rebates and/or gratuities

 

The Employer, Handlers or the agents of either shall not accept or give directly or indirectly,

 

any rebate on wages, or give or accept gratuities, or give anything of value or extend any favor to any person

 

for the purpose of affecting any change in rate of wages. The Employer or its representatives shall not be

 

permitted to give any advance in wages to Handlers, nor shall they be permitted to lend money to Handlers.

 

Section 3—Discretionary Merit Increases

 

Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed so as to limit in any way the right of

 

the Employers to grant discretionary merit increases in the hourly wage rates paid employees covered by this

 

Agreement, provided that the Employer will advise the Union of the name of each employee who is receiving

 

such an increase and the amount of such increase, and provided further that such increases will not be revoked

 

prior to completion of the applicable phase of the project.

 

Section 4—Form of Payment

 

a. All Handlers covered by this Agreement may be paid by check and shall be paid no

 

later than the end of the work shift on Friday.

 

b. Any employee who is discharged or laid off shall be paid on the regularly scheduled

 

payday for that week. Notification of layoff shall be at the Employer’s discretion, but given not later than the

 

end of the work shift on the date the layoff is to be effective. Such notification may be oral.

 

c. In the event that any paycheck issued by the Employer is not honored, the Employer

 

shall be required to pay all its Handlers with certified checks.

 

Section 5—Late Payment

 

In the event the Employer fails to pay an employee in the manner, and on the date and time

 

required above, it shall be liable as liquidated damages to the employee in the amount of $50 (fifty dollars)

 

per calendar day for every calendar day, or portion thereof, for which the payment is delayed.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

 

Section 1—Union Dues

 

The Employer shall deduct the sums per hour set forth in Schedule A as designated by the

 

applicable Union, or such other amount as may be later designated by the Union, as dues from the wages of

 

all employees covered by this Agreement who authorize such deduction in writing; it shall then promptly pay

 

over such sums to the Union or its designated agent for collection not later than the end of the week following

 

the week in which said deduction was made.

 

Section 2—Welfare Fund

 

a. Effective for the period July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028, and subject to the Union’s right

 

to allocate/reallocate future increases as provided in Article VII, the Employer shall pay weekly to the

 

Trustees of the applicable Welfare Fund the hourly rate specified in Schedule A for all hours worked by the

 

employees covered by this Agreement.

 

b. Contributions to the Welfare Funds shall be for the purpose of providing benefits for

 

death, accident, health, medical and surgical care, hospitalization and other such forms of group benefits for

 

employees covered by this Agreement, their spouses, and their eligible children, as the Trustees may, in their

 

sole and absolute discretion, determine and, in addition, out of said monies the Trustees of the Welfare Funds

 

shall provide coverage to conform with the New York State Disability Insurance Law for all employees

 

covered by this Agreement for the period of this Agreement, the cost of which shall be borne by such Welfare

 

Fund. It is the intention of the parties that no contributions shall be required on the premium portion of

 

wages, i.e. contributions shall be based upon hours worked and not upon wages paid.

 

c. Welfare coverage shall also be provided for all eligible employees of the Union and the

 

Fringe Benefit Funds, provided contributions are made to the Funds by their employers on their behalves in

 

amounts no less than are paid by Employers covered by this Agreement.

 

Section 3—Pension Fund

 

a. Effective for the period July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028, and subject to the Unions’ right

 

to allocate/reallocate future increases as provided in Article VII, the Employer shall pay weekly to the

 

Trustees of the applicable Pension Fund the hourly rate specified in Schedule A for all hours worked by

 

employees covered by this Agreement.

 

b. Contributions to the Pension Fund shall be utilized for the purpose of providing pension

 

and other benefits for the eligible employees covered by this Agreement as the Trustees may, in their sole and

 

absolute discretion, determine. It is the intention of the parties that no contributions shall be required on the

 

premium portion of wages, i.e., contributions shall be based upon hours worked and not upon wages paid.

 

c. Pension coverage shall also be provided for all eligible employees of the Union and the

 

Fringe Benefit Funds provided contributions are made to the Funds by their employers on their behalves in

 

amounts no less than are paid by Employers covered by this Agreement.

 

Section 4—Annuity Fund

 

a. Effective for the period July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028, and subject to the Unions’ right

 

to allocate/reallocate future increases as provided in Article VII, the Employer shall pay weekly to the

 

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Trustees of the applicable Annuity Fund the hourly rate specified in Schedule A for all hours worked by

 

employees covered by this Agreement.

 

b. Contributions to the Annuity Fund shall be utilized for the purpose of providing annuity

 

and other benefits to eligible employees covered by this Agreement as the Trustees may, in their sole and

 

absolute discretion, determine. It is the intention of the parties that no contributions shall be required on the

 

premium portion of wages, i.e., contributions shall be based upon hours worked and not upon wages paid.

 

c. Annuity Fund coverage shall also be provided for all eligible employees of the Union

 

and the Fringe Benefit Funds, provided contributions are made to the Fund by their employers on their

 

behalves in amounts no less than are paid by Employers covered by this Agreement.

 

Section 5—Training Fund

 

a. Effective for the period July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028, and subject to the Unions’ right to

 

allocate/reallocate future increases as provided in Article VII, the Employer shall pay weekly to the Trustees

 

of the Mason Tenders District Council Training Fund the hourly rate specified in Schedule A for all hours

 

worked by employees covered by this Agreement.

 

b. Contributions to the Training Fund shall be used for the purpose of providing education

 

and training in the handling of asbestos, lead, toxic and hazardous waste and materials. It is the intention of

 

the parties that no contributions shall be required on the premium portion of wages, i.e., contributions shall be

 

based upon hours worked and not upon wages paid.

 

Section 6—Vacation Account

 

Effective for the period July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028, and subject to the Unions’ right to

 

allocate/reallocate future increases as provided in Article VII, the Employer shall pay weekly to the

 

authorized agent of the Vacation Account of the Mason Tenders District Council Welfare Fund the hourly

 

rate specified in Schedule A for all hours by employees covered by this Agreement. It is the intention of

 

the parties that no contributions shall be required on the premium portion of wages, i.e., contributions

 

shall be based upon hours worked and not upon wages paid.

 

Section 7—GNY LECET

 

Effective for the period July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028, and subject to the Unions’ right to

 

allocate/reallocate future increases as provided in Article VII, the Employer shall pay weekly to the authorized

 

agent of the Greater New York Laborers Employers Cooperation and Education Trust Fund the hourly rate

 

specified in Schedule A for all hours worked by employees represented by the Mason Tenders. It is the

 

intention of the parties that no contributions shall be required on the premium portion of wages, i.e.,

 

contributions shall be based upon hours worked and not upon wages paid.

 

Section 8—State LECET

 

Effective for the period July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028, and subject to the Unions’ right to

 

allocate/reallocate future increases as provided in Article VII, the Employer shall pay weekly to the authorized

 

agent of the New York State Laborers Employers Cooperation and Education Trust Fund the hourly rate

 

specified in Schedule A for all hours worked by employees represented by the Mason Tenders. It is the

 

intention of the parties that no contributions shall be required on the premium portion of wages, i.e.,

 

contributions shall be based upon hours worked and not upon wages paid.

 

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Section 9—Health and Safety Fund

 

Effective for the period July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028, and subject to the Unions’ right to

 

allocate/reallocate future increases as provided in Article VII, the Employer shall pay weekly to the authorized

 

agent of the New York State Health and Safety Trust the hourly rate specified in Schedule A for all hours

 

worked by Handlers. It is the intention of the parties that no contributions shall be required on the premium

 

portion of wages, i.e., contributions shall be based upon hours worked and not upon wages paid.

 

Section 10—MTDC PAC

 

The Employer agrees to deduct and transmit to the Mason Tenders District Council Political Action

 

Committee (“MTDC PAC”) $0.20 for each hour worked, or such other amount as the Mason Tenders may

 

subsequently designate, from the wages of those employees represented by the Mason Tenders who have

 

voluntarily authorized such contributions on the forms provided for that purpose by the Union. All

 

transmittals shall be accompanied by a list of the names of those employees for whom such deductions have

 

been made, and the amount deducted for each such employee.

 

Section 11—Industry Advancement Fund

 

The Employer will contribute $0.50 per hour (plus whatever amount that the ECA may thereafter selfassess) for each hour of employment of Handlers directly to the Environmental Contractors Association

 

Industry Advancement Fund (“IAF”), which amount shall increase in the same amount as any increase in the

 

hourly contribution for employers required under the collective bargaining agreement between the

 

Environmental Contractors Association (“ECA”) and the Union. The Union shall have no obligation or

 

responsibility for the collection of these contributions. If, at the sole discretion of the Mason Tenders Fringe

 

Benefit Funds, such monies are collected by such Funds for forwarding to the IAF, an administrative fee will

 

be collected by the Funds for such services. Monies contributed to the IAF shall not be used against or for any

 

purposes adverse to the interests of the Union.

 

Section 12—Administration of Joint Benefits

 

All Fringe Benefit Funds provided for by this Agreement shall be jointly administered by employer

 

and union appointed Trustees in accordance with applicable law.

 

Section 13—Posting a Bond

 

a. The Employer shall post and maintain a bond to ensure payment of contributions to the

 

Mason Tenders Fringe Benefit Funds set forth in this Article of the Agreement, remittance of dues checkoffs

 

to the Union and contributions to the Mason Tenders District Council PAC. The minimum amount of the

 

bond shall be fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).

 

b. In the event a deficiency should be determined by an audit of the Employer’s books and

 

records, the Union in its sole and absolute discretion may require the Employer to post and maintain an

 

additional bond in the amount of twice the audited deficiency within 60 days of receiving notice from the

 

Union of the requirement to post and maintain such a bond.

 

c. In lieu of a bond or as a supplement to a bond, the Employer may, at the sole discretion

 

and upon the sole consent of the Trustees of the Trust Funds set forth in this Article, furnish cash and/or

 

collateral alternatives in satisfaction of this bonding requirement. The Union, may, in its absolute discretion,

 

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require an additional increase in the amount of the bond posted by the Employer.

 

d. Each joint venturer shall furnish the Union with a rider from its respective surety

 

company, confirming that its respective Bond protects the Union and the Trust Funds set forth in this Article

 

of the Agreement during the period of the joint venture.

 

e. In the event the Trustees receive payment either on a bond or through forfeiture of a

 

certificate of deposit or collateral alternative under this Section 12 and said payment is insufficient to satisfy

 

the entire deficiency in the payment of contributions to the Fringe Benefit Funds set forth in this Article of the

 

Agreement, in remittance of dues checkoffs to the Union, and contributions to the Mason Tenders District

 

Council PAC, then the Trustees shall make a pro rata payment to each of the Fringe Benefit Funds set forth in

 

this Article of the Agreement and to the Union and the PAC in an amount equivalent to the percentage of the

 

total deficiency received by the Trustees through forfeiture of the bond or the certificate of deposit or

 

collateral alternative.

 

Section 14 – Books and Records of the Employer

 

a. The books and records of the Employer shall be made available at all reasonable times

 

for inspection and audit by the accountants or other representatives of the Fringe Benefit Funds set forth in

 

this Article of the Agreement and/or by representatives of the Union, including, without limitation, all payroll

 

sheets, W-2 forms, New York State Employment Reports, Insurance Company Reports and supporting

 

checks, ledgers, general ledger, cash disbursement ledger, vouchers, 1099 forms, evidence of unemployment

 

insurance contributions, payroll tax deductions, disability insurance premiums, certification of workers

 

compensation coverage, and any other items concerning payroll(s). In addition, the aforementioned books

 

and records of any affiliate, subsidiary, alter ego, joint venture, successor or related company of the Employer

 

shall also be made available at all reasonable times for inspection and audit by the accountants of the Fringe

 

Benefit Funds set forth in this Article of the Agreement, and/or by representatives of the Union. The

 

Employer shall retain, for a minimum period of six years or such time as required by law, whichever is

 

greater, payroll and related records necessary for the conduct of a proper audit in order that a duly designated

 

representative of the Trustees may make periodic review to confirm that contributions owed pursuant to this

 

Agreement are paid in full, and/or that the Union may confirm the employer’s compliance with the terms of

 

this Agreement.

 

b. In the event, after the Trustees have made a reasonable request and provided proper and

 

timely notice to the Employer, the Employer fails to produce its books and records necessary for a proper

 

audit, the Trustees, in their sole discretion, may determine that the Employer’s weekly hours subject to

 

contributions for each month of the requested audit period are the highest number of employee hours for any

 

month during the twelve months’ audited, or during the last twelve months for which reports were filed,

 

whichever weekly number of hours is greater. Such determination by the Trustees shall constitute

 

presumptive evidence of delinquency. Prior to making such determination, the Trustees shall mail a final

 

seven-day written notice to the Employer advising him that such determination shall be made if the Employer

 

does not schedule a prompt audit.

 

Nothing herein shall mean that the Funds relinquish their right to commence legal proceedings

 

to compel an examination of the Employer’s books and records for audit.

 

c. If after an audit of its books and records the Employer is found to be substantially

 

delinquent, as defined herein, in the payment of fringe benefit contributions to the Trust Funds set forth in this

 

Article of the Agreement, the Employer shall bear the imputed cost of the audit as set forth below, or the

 

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actual cost of the audit, whichever is less. The “imputed cost of the audit” is equal to:

 

total audited deficiency X number of months audited = imputed cost of audit

 

150

 

Substantially delinquent is defined as any deficiency in the payment of fringe benefit contributions to the

 

Trust Funds set forth in this Article of the Agreement in excess of 10% of the fringe benefit contributions paid

 

to the Trust Funds set forth in this Article of the Agreement during the period that is the subject of the audit.

 

In the event the Trust Funds set forth in this Article of the Agreement bring an action to recover the imputed

 

costs of audit, the Employer shall be obligated to pay the reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in

 

bringing said action.

 

d. In the event that the Employer fails to produce the books and records necessary for an

 

audit as set forth in subsection 13(a) of this Article of the Agreement, the Employer agrees to pay a penalty of

 

$400.00. In the event the Fringe Benefit Funds bring and prevail in an action to obtain an audit of said

 

Employer’s books and records, the Employer shall be obligated to pay the reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees

 

incurred in bringing said action.

 

e. If after an audit of its books and records the Employer is found to be delinquent in the

 

payment of fringe benefit contributions to the Fringe Benefit Funds then the Employer shall pay, in addition

 

to the delinquent fringe benefit contributions, interest on the unpaid amounts from the date due until the date

 

of payment at the rate prescribed under section 6621 of Title 26 of the United States Code. In the event the

 

Fringe Benefit Funds bring an action to recover the interest on delinquent fringe benefit contributions, the

 

Employer shall be obligated to pay the reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in bringing said action.

 

f. In the event that formal proceedings are instituted by the Trustees before a court of

 

competent jurisdiction or arbitrator to collect delinquent contributions to such Fund or interest, and if such

 

court/arbitrator renders a judgment/award in favor of such Fund, the Employer shall pay to such Fund, in

 

accordance with the judgment/award, and in lieu of any other liquidated damages, costs, attorney’s fees and/or

 

interest, the following:

 

(A) the unpaid contributions.

 

(B) interest on unpaid or untimely paid contributions determined by using the rate

 

prescribed under section 6621 of Title 26 of the United States Code.

 

(C) an amount equal to the aforesaid interest on the unpaid contributions as and for

 

liquidated damages.

 

(D) reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of the action.

 

(E) such other legal or equitable relief as the court/arbitrator deems appropriate.

 

g. The Employer hereby agrees that in the event any payment to the Union or to the

 

Fringe Benefit Funds by check or other negotiable instrument results in the check or negotiable instrument

 

being returned without payment after being duly presented, the Employer shall be liable for additional

 

damages in the amount of $250.00 to cover such additional costs, charge and expenses. Nothing herein is

 

intended, nor shall be interpreted, to mean that the Fringe Benefit Funds or Union waive any other liquidated

 

damages.

 

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h. The Employer agrees to and shall be bound by all terms and conditions of the Trust

 

Agreements creating the Fringe Benefit Funds and by any rules, regulations, By-Laws or plan documents

 

adopted by the Trustees of the Funds, as they may be amended by time to time, to regulate said Funds,

 

including, but not limited to the Trust Funds’ arbitration procedures for allegedly delinquent contributions

 

and/or inability to conduct an audit.

 

Section 15—Employer’s Payments

 

The Employers’ payments under this Article VIII shall be made weekly and shall be payable

 

on or before the Friday following the completion of the work week. Whenever any Employer is in arrears on

 

any payments under this Article VIII, the Unions shall have the right to remove Handlers from such

 

Employer’s jobs until the Employer is current in all payments due, provided that twenty-four hours written

 

notice is delivered to the Employer at the last provided address of the Employer.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

Section 1—Working Environment

 

The Employer recognizes its responsibilities to provide a safe and healthful working

 

environment for Handlers. The Employer shall use its best efforts to achieve these objectives. The Employer

 

will enforce all rules and regulations relating to safety issues that are adopted, promulgated or issued by the

 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation,

 

or any other federal, state or municipal body having jurisdiction over the work performed by the Employer

 

and its employees. The Employer will specifically provide potable water and cups, as well as toilet facilities

 

adequate and sufficient to accommodate the workforce on the job. Handlers shall be provided adequate paid

 

time to access the drinking water in a safe manner consistent with applicable regulations.

 

Section 2—Working Equipment

 

a. The Employer shall supply each Handler with proper safety and disposable clothing,

 

and filters for respirators. The Employer will provide all Handlers with a respirator when the job to which a

 

Handler has been referred requires use of a respirator.

 

b. Handlers shall acknowledge receipt of said respirator by signing a receipt containing

 

the serial number of the respirator.

 

Section 3—Equipment Requirements

 

Respirators, masks and all other equipment used in the removal of asbestos, lead and other

 

toxic and hazardous materials must meet the requirements of the regulations governing the industry.

 

Section 4—Working Tools

 

Except as set forth in Section 2 of this Article, the Employer shall supply all tools on the job

 

required in performing the work covered by this Agreement.

 

15

 

Section 5—Shower Facilities

 

The Employer will provide shower facilities with hot water. The Employer shall ensure the

 

proper decontamination of all workers and provide sufficient paid time to do so. This shall include at least 3

 

minutes in the shower for each worker.

 

Section 6—Licenses and Certificates

 

The Employer and all Handlers working under this Agreement shall possess the requisite

 

licenses and certifications for the particular type of work they are performing and toxic material they are

 

handling.

 

Section 7—Hazardous Communication Program (HCP)

 

A Hazardous Communication Program (HCP) will be developed that adopts the OSHA

 

Standards regarding hazardous materials in the workplace, and the Mason Tenders’ right to know the contents

 

and safe handling procedures of such materials. (OSHA Standard 1910.1200 Hazard Communication)

 

Section 8—Physical Examination

 

Before entering the employ of the Employer, each Handler must pass a physical examination

 

by a physician designated by the Union. Each Handler is required to be and to remain physically fit to

 

perform said Handler’s job satisfactorily.

 

Section 9—On-the-Job Inquiries

 

Handlers shall immediately notify their supervisor when injured on the job.

 

Section 10—Elevators for Handlers

 

In buildings thirteen stories in height or over, in the event there is elevator service available, an

 

elevator shall be provided to carry Handlers to and from their work during regular hours of employment.

 

Consideration shall be given to Handlers working on higher stories if elevator service is not maintained, and a

 

reasonable time shall be allowed to and from work.

 

Section 11 – Joint Safety Initiative

 

The Employer acknowledges and agrees that it is bound by Memorandum Regarding

 

Health and Safety Initiative entered into between the ECA and the Mason Tenders, as well as any

 

amendments or modifications to such agreement entered into and between the ECA and Mason Tenders

 

(the “Safety Initiative”). The Employer further agrees to respect the rights of the Shop Steward provided

 

under the Safety Initiative, including, but not limited to, providing the Shop Steward access to all areas of

 

the job site and otherwise allowing him/her to perform the functions set forth in the Safety Initiative and

 

this Agreement.

 

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Section 12—Other Leave Laws

 

The provisions of the administrative code of the city of New York, Title 20 Chapter 8 (Earned Sick

 

Time Act) and those of New York State Labor Law 196-b (Paid Sick Leave), in relation to the provisions of

 

sick time earned by employees covered by this Agreement, are expressly waived by the parties to this

 

collective bargaining agreement because comparable benefits are already provided in this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE X

 

Section 1—Shop Stewards

 

a. Where Handlers are employed on a job, the Union providing 80% of the Handlers shall

 

designate one working Handler as a Shop Steward for each shift who shall be the second person on the job

 

(after the Foreman), and shall notify the Employer in writing of the identity of the designated Shop Steward

 

prior to that person’s assumption of the duties as Shop Steward. Where there are overlapping shifts, each shift

 

shall have its own Shop Steward and each Shop Steward shall be responsible for that Shop Steward’s own

 

shift only. Each Shop Steward shall perform the shop steward duties as such with the least possible

 

inconvenience to the Employer. A Shop Steward is to work as a Handler and shall not use the position as

 

Shop Steward to avoid performance of the duties of a working Handler. Such designated Shop Stewards shall

 

not exercise any supervisory functions. There will be no non-working Shop Stewards.

 

b. The Shop Steward shall have the right to stop dry removal and any other work if the

 

ventilation is insufficient.

 

c. The Shop Steward will be included in the process of keeping the decontamination unit

 

operational.

 

d. The Shop Steward shall perform the duties of a Shop Steward at the beginning and end

 

of each shift, except in the event of an emergency that places a Handler’s health or safety at risk. At both the

 

beginning and the end of the each shift, the Shop Steward’s time shall be provided (and, of course, paid for) at

 

a minimum ten (10) minutes, plus two additional minutes for every Handler after the fifth on the site, to

 

perform his non-emergency duties. In addition to working as a Handler, the Shop Steward shall have the right

 

to receive complaints or grievances and to discuss and assist in the adjustment of the same with the Handler’s

 

appropriate supervisor. Each Shop Steward shall be concerned with the Handlers of the Shop Steward’s shift

 

and not with the Handlers of any other shift or Employer. The Employer will not discriminate against the

 

Shop Steward in the proper performance of the Shop Steward’s union duties.

 

e. When an Employer has multiple, non-contiguous work locations on the site, the

 

Employer must have the Union providing 80% of the Handlers appoint additional working Shop Stewards to

 

provide independent coverage of such locations.

 

f. Shop Stewards shall not have the right to determine when overtime shall be worked or

 

who shall work overtime.

 

g. The Employer shall not recognize any Union representative or Shop Steward of whom

 

it has not been informed in writing.

 

h. The Shop Steward shall be the second Handler hired, the first Handler offered overtime

 

work, and the last Handler to be laid off at the completion of a project.

 

17

 

i. Shop Stewards may stop working or leave their work areas to investigate grievances

 

without authorization from their supervisor. The investigation and presentation of grievances shall be

 

transacted in as short a time as possible and shall not interfere with the operations of the Employer.

 

j. If the Shop Steward is discharged, the Shop Steward shall at once be reinstated until the

 

matter is brought before the Union and the decision of the Union shall control, and if any time has been lost,

 

the Shop Steward shall be paid for all lost time. The Shop Steward is to work up to the completion of the job

 

and shall be the last Handler to be laid off.

 

k. The term “Shop Steward” as used in this Agreement shall mean those Handlers who

 

have been trained and hold a current certification by the Union to serve as shop stewards.

 

Section 2—Foremen

 

The selection of Foremen and the number of Foremen required shall be the responsibility of the

 

Employer. Foremen shall be designated as working foremen at the discretion of the Employer. Foremen shall

 

take their direction from the Employer’s supervisor, and Handlers shall take their direction from the Foremen

 

or any authorized supervisor. There shall be no restriction on the right of a supervisor to perform work

 

covered by this agreement where such work is (i) of a incidental nature, (ii) necessary to the safety of the

 

work or the Handlers, (iii) performed in connection with the instruction or training of unit employees, or (iv)

 

required due to an emergency or circumstances beyond the Employer’s control.

 

Section 3—Fire Watch Duty

 

Shop Stewards and Foremen shall not be required for any Handler performing fire watch duty.

 

Section 4—Union Representatives at the Jobsite

 

The Business Agent, Business Manager or other designated representative of the Unions shall

 

have the right to visit and go upon the Employer’s jobs during working hours for the sole purpose of

 

administering this Agreement, provided that the Union representative (i) shall have all required licenses or

 

certificates to enter upon the job site, (ii) shall report to and advise the Employer’s supervisor of his visit upon

 

his arrival at the job site and (iii) shall not unreasonably interfere with the Employer’s operations. The

 

Employer shall not unreasonably interfere with such Union representatives in the proper performance of their

 

duties.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

Section 1–Lockouts

 

The Employer guarantees that there will be no lockouts for any reason during the term of this

 

Agreement, the Unions guarantees that there will be no strikes during the term of this Agreement except:

 

a. Where the Employer, at the same job site, contracts or subcontracts work covered by

 

this Agreement to any other person, firm, partnership, corporation or joint venture that is not bound by an

 

Agreement with the Unions.

 

18

 

b. Where any of the workers engaged on a construction job perform work covered by this

 

Agreement, without receiving compensation equivalent to that provided for Handlers under this Agreement.

 

c. When a Union concludes that the Handlers on any job have not been paid, are being

 

paid less than the rate of wages prescribed in this Agreement, or the Employer is in arrears on fringe benefit

 

contributions payable to the Trust Funds set forth in Article VIII of this Agreement, in the remittance of dues

 

checkoffs to the Unions, or in contributions to the Mason Tenders District Council PAC as prescribed in this

 

Agreement or in any modification of this Agreement, as hereinafter provided.

 

d. When a Union concludes that an Employer has failed to permit review of its books and

 

records for purposes of conducting an audit as required under the Agreement, or has failed to post and

 

maintain a bond in the amount and in the manner under the Agreement.

 

e. If any union establishes a lawful primary picket line.

 

f. If the Employer terminates a Shop Steward without the written consent of the

 

applicable Union, or otherwise fails to allow a Shop Steward to perform his duties as provided under this

 

Agreement.

 

g. If the Employer fails to provide timely notice to the Union that it is working at a jobsite

 

or fails to request and employ Handlers from the Hiring Hall as required under the Agreement.

 

h. When a Union concludes that the Employer has violated the rights of the Union or an

 

employee under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act, or has required an employee to work under

 

dangerous or unsafe conditions.

 

Section 2—Unauthorized Strikes

 

The Union shall not be responsible for any unauthorized strike or its results.

 

Section 3—Damage Awards

 

The parties to this Agreement agree that no damages of any kind or nature shall be awarded or

 

allowed against the Union or any officer or member thereof by reason of the withdrawal of men from a job as

 

permitted herein.

 

Section 4—Employee’s Refusal to Enter Jobsite

 

It shall not be a violation of this Agreement or cause for discharge or disciplinary action for an

 

employee to refuse to enter upon any job site involved in a primary labor dispute, or refuse to cross or work

 

behind a lawful primary picket line established by any union.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

The Union may submit disputes arising between the parties involving questions of

 

interpretation or application of any clause of this Agreement (or a previous Agreement to which the Employer

 

was subject) as a grievance under the following rules, except as excluded or limited below.

 

19

 

a) Grievance Steps.

 

Step 1: The Employer or his representative shall confer with a representative of the applicable

 

Union and attempt to adjust the grievance between them on a job level basis. The parties shall endeavor to

 

meet within 48 hours of the time the dispute becomes known to them.

 

Step 2: Upon receipt of notification from the Local Union describing the nature of the

 

grievance, the Employer shall either fully and finally resolve the matter or respond in writing within 10

 

business days stating the reasons why the grievance is disputed. Failure to so respond shall be deemed

 

acknowledgment of the violation stated in the Step 2 notice from the Local Union.

 

Step 3: If the matter is not resolved at Step 2, the Union may appeal the dispute to arbitration,

 

by written notice to the Employer.

 

b) Arbitration. An arbitrator shall be selected from the following rotating panel (in the

 

order in which they herein appear): Joseph A. Harris and Richard Adelman. At the Union’s discretion,

 

multiple claims may be heard simultaneously as part of a single consolidated case. Except as specified in

 

subsections (f) and (g) below, the parties shall share equally the arbitrator’s fee, the cost, if any, of a hearing

 

room, and the cost, if requested by either party, of translation and/or court reporter services. The Union

 

reserves the right to add to, delete from, or modify the order or composition of the arbitration panel by

 

providing notice via certified mail return receipt requested to the Employer. Any such change shall be

 

deemed effective upon the expiration of ten business days following the Employer’s receipt of such notice at

 

its last provided address, unless notice of the Employer’s objection to such change is forwarded to the Union

 

by similar means and received within the referenced ten-day period.

 

c) Investigations and Witnesses. The Union, in the investigation and/or arbitration of a

 

dispute, may subpoena witnesses and by written request procure the books, records and any other documents

 

of the Employer the Union deems relevant to the investigation or prosecution of the case. The Union shall

 

have the right to demand the production of such records, at any time whether or not a dispute exists, as well as

 

to demand the production of any of the records specified in Article VIII Section 13 (a) above. In addition to

 

any other remedies, the Union shall have the right, on five days written notice to the Employer, to withdraw

 

Handlers from the jobs of any Employer that fails to provide information to the Union required herein.

 

d) Presumptions. In all cases in which the Union proves that an individual or individuals

 

performed work within the jurisdiction of the Union for any period of time, it shall be presumed absent clear

 

and convincing proof to the contrary that all work performed by such individual or individuals fell within the

 

jurisdiction of the Union. It shall be presumed absent clear and convincing proof to the contrary that no thirdparty entity that is not engaged in construction as its primary business purpose is responsible for the

 

subcontract of work occurring at a site. Further, an adverse inference shall be drawn from any failure by the

 

Employer to timely produce documents required to be provided to the Union in subparagraph c above.

 

e) Right to Strike. No provision of this grievance and arbitration procedure, nor the

 

submission of a dispute for resolution through these procedures or in federal court shall in any way waive,

 

impair, prejudice or otherwise limit the rights of the Unions to strike as permitted under this Agreement.

 

f) General Remedies. The arbitrator shall have authority to award damages, back-pay,

 

and/or injunctive relief. If the Employer is found to have violated any of the provisions of this Agreement

 

pertaining to hours, wages or fringe benefits, it shall be required to furnish the Union and Fringe Benefit

 

Funds with a surety bond, in an amount determined by the arbitrator, guaranteeing the payment of all wages

 

20

 

and fringe benefits provided by this Agreement. In any case in which the Employer is found to have failed to

 

pay wages due, or failed to remit dues owed to the Union or contributions owed to the MTDCPAC, the award

 

shall include: 1) interest at the prime rate on the day of the award plus two percent, running from the date of

 

the violation; 2) attorneys’ fees and expenses (including arbitral fees and expenses) incurred by the Union in

 

pursuing the award; 3) the full cost of the arbitrator’s fees; and 4) such remedies and penalties as would be

 

available in claims brought under Article 6 of the New York State Labor Laws and/or the Fair Labor

 

Standards Act, if the substantive elements for obtaining additional relief under either or both of those laws is

 

established. The right provided herein to obtain remedies under the New York State Labor Laws and the Fair

 

Labor Standards Act shall not impair the Union or employee’s rights to bring suit under such statutes if such

 

relief is not pursued through this arbitration process.

 

g) Fringe Benefit Contribution Claims (Other Remedies and Issues). The Union shall have

 

the right in any proceeding seeking the payment of fringe benefit contributions to enforce all amounts due to

 

the Funds under this Agreement, including but not limited to those remedies specified in Article VIII, Section

 

13 (f) above, as well as the full cost of the arbitration and the arbitrator’s fees. Neither this arbitration

 

procedure nor the submission of a dispute to arbitration, or final disposition of an arbitration, however, shall

 

impair, waive, prejudice or otherwise affect the rights of the Funds to sue and recover for all amounts due

 

under this Agreement, including but not limited to those remedies specified in Article VIII, Section 13(f)

 

above, ERISA and the Funds’ governing documents. The proceedings provided for in this Article need not be

 

exhausted as a condition precedent to the Funds commencing any suit available to it.

 

h) Status of Certain Issues. Any and all claims alleging a violation of any of the

 

prohibitions contained in this Agreement regarding the subcontracting of work and/or the establishment or

 

maintenance by the employer, its officers or principals of other business entities, including but not limited to

 

alleged violations of Article II, and Article XV, Sections 6 and 7 of this Agreement, as well as claims, in

 

whole or part, seeking dues, wages, fringe benefit and/or MTDC PAC contributions shall be subject to

 

decision either under this Article, or in federal court, at the discretion of the Union. The filing and/or

 

prosecution of a case in federal court shall likewise not impair the right to strike as otherwise set forth in this

 

Agreement.

 

i) Compliance. Any decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding upon the parties

 

and shall be complied with by the Employer within five days of the issuance of the award. In addition to all

 

other rights to withdraw laborers as provided in this Agreement, should any Employer fail to comply with

 

such decision, the Union shall have the right to remove Handlers from such Employer’s jobs until the

 

Employer fully complies with the award.

 

ARTICLE XIII

 

Section 1—Discrimination by Employer

 

The Employer and the Union agree there will be no discrimination in any manner prohibited by

 

law against any employee or applicant for employment, with respect to race, creed, color, national origin, sex,

 

age, disability, union membership, concerted activity, citizenship status, marital status, or sexual orientation,

 

in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, referral, hiring, compensation, training

 

and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, layoff and termination, and all

 

other terms and conditions of employment.

 

21

 

Section 2—Mutual Cooperation

 

The Employer and the Unions agree to cooperate in the equal non-discriminatory application of

 

this Agreement and to cooperate in dealing with such discrimination, should it occur. The Employer agrees

 

that it will not tolerate sexual, racial or other discriminatory harassment in the workplace. Handlers may bring

 

complaints of a violation of this Article to either the Employer or the Union without retaliation.

 

Section 3—Other Benefits

 

The provisions of the administrative code of the City of New York, Title 20 Chapter 8 (Earned

 

Sick Time Act) in relation to the provision of sick time earned by employees covered by this Agreement, as

 

well as any state sick time requirement permitting a waiver including NYS Labor Law 196-b, are expressly

 

waived by the parties to this collective bargaining agreement because comparable benefits are already

 

provided in this Agreement. As authorized by New York City Administrative Code; Title 20, Chapter 8,

 

Section 196 (b) because House Wreckers are engaged in construction, the provisions of said Chapter 8 are

 

expressly waived, such waiver being effective prospectively and retroactively for any relevant time period

 

prior to July 1, 2025.

 

ARTICLE XIV

 

Section 1—JATC

 

a. There shall be a Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (“JATC”) charged with

 

direction of the Apprentices.

 

b. The JATC shall consist of three (3) representatives of Employers in the industry and

 

three (3) representatives of the Union, and it shall administer and supervise the apprenticeship provision of

 

this Agreement, and be responsible for all apprentices and all conditions affecting apprentices.

 

Section 2—Apprentice Wages

 

a. The hourly total of the wages and fringe benefit contributions due to and on behalf of

 

Apprentices shall not exceed the hourly total due to and on behalf of Local 78 Journeyworkers.

 

b. The Employer shall contribute to the Benefit Funds at the rate set forth in Article VIII

 

of this Agreement.

 

Section 3—Apprentice Coverage

 

Except as specifically provided for in this Amendment, Apprentices will be subject to the

 

provisions of the Agreement between the Union and the Employer.

 

Section 4—Employers and JATC

 

The Employer agrees to and shall be bound by all terms and conditions of the JATC documents

 

creating the JATC and by any rules or by-laws adopted by the JATC, as they may be amended from time to

 

time. To the extent that the JATC documents contradict the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the JATC

 

documents shall be fully incorporated herein and the JATC document shall control.

 

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Section 5—Apprentice Safety Equipment

 

The Employer agrees to supply all Apprentices with all safety equipment including full and

 

half-face respirators, filters for respirators, disposable clothing and any other tools which may be required to

 

perform his or her duties.

 

ARTICLE XV

 

Section 1—Legality of Agreement

 

a. It is agreed by and between the parties hereto that if any Federal or State Court shall at

 

any time decide that any clause or clauses of this Agreement is or are void or illegal, such decision shall not

 

invalidate the other portions of this Agreement, which shall be considered binding between the parties hereto.

 

The provision[s] deemed void or illegal shall be considered retroactively replaced by whatever lawful

 

substitute provision provides the most comparable rights and/or protection to the Unions and Handlers; a

 

proposed version of which, if forwarded by the Union, shall be binding on the Employer.

 

b. Any provisions of the Agreement hereinabove mentioned which provide for union

 

security or employment in a manner and to an extent prohibited by any law or the determination of any

 

Governmental Board or Agency, shall be and hereby are of no force or effect during the term of any such

 

prohibition. It is understood and agreed, however, that if any of the provisions of the Agreement which are

 

hereby declared to be of no force or effect because of restrictions imposed by laws is or are determined either

 

by Act of Congress or other legislative enactment or by a decision of the Court of highest recourse to be legal

 

or permissible, then any such provision of the said Agreement shall immediately become and remain effective

 

during the remainder of the term of this Agreement.

 

Section 2—Mutual Efforts to Increase Production

 

The Employer and the Unions agree that their efforts will be employed in the public interest to

 

increase production, and reduce costs by maintaining maximum man rate output, and by using all machinery,

 

tools, appliances, methods or technologies which may be practicable.

 

Section 3—Good Faith

 

The Employer and the Unions obligate themselves to live up to all the provisions of this Trade

 

Agreement in good faith.

 

Section 4 — Continuation of Agreement

 

All of the terms, covenants and conditions of the Agreement, and without limitation, the

 

specific provisions of this section, shall be applicable for the duration, and during the entire term of the

 

Agreement, regardless of any change in the status of the Employer, as for example, the Employer joining,

 

during the term of the Agreement, an employer association.

 

Section 5—Failure to Require Strict Performance

 

The failure of either party to this Agreement to require strict performance of any of its rights

 

under, or of any of the terms of conditions contained in, this Agreement shall not be deemed a waiver,

 

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modification or abandonment of any of the rights or remedies provided herein, nor shall it be deemed a

 

waiver, modification or abandonment of its rights to insist upon strict performance of all the terms and

 

conditions of this Agreement thereafter.

 

Section 6–Subcontracting

 

When the Employer subcontracts or sublets any “on site” work of any type or kind whatsoever

 

coming within the jurisdiction of the Unions, the Employer shall be responsible for the subcontractor

 

complying with all provisions of the Agreement. If the Employer subcontracts or sublets any work of any

 

type or kind whatsoever coming within the jurisdiction of the applicable Union, the Employer shall be

 

responsible for the payment of wages, contributions to the applicable Trust Funds, working dues check-offs,

 

and contributions to the Mason Tenders District Council PAC by such subcontractor.

 

Section 7—Employer’s Successors and Assigns

 

a. This Agreement shall apply to and bind the Employer, its successors and assigns, including

 

any entity constituting a continuation or substantial continuation of all or part of the Employer’s operations

 

covered by this Agreement, whether resulting from a merger, consolidation, sale, purchase, reorganization,

 

restructuring or other transaction (a “Successor”).

 

b. The Employer and all other persons or entities related to the Employer who are bound by

 

this Agreement agree that they will not enter into any agreement or arrangement inconsistent with this Section

 

7 or that would otherwise establish or create a Successor that has not assumed all obligations and

 

responsibilities of the Employer under this Agreement.

 

c. The Employer further agrees to provide the Unions no fewer than thirty (30) day-notice in

 

advance of the consummation of any transaction that would create a successor, including financial details

 

subject to reasonable confidentiality restrictions.

 

d. The Employer agrees that the Agreement will run to and for the benefit of any other

 

corporation or other entity which may now or hereafter exist or be formed in which the Employer may

 

have any interest or control, and which performs, or materially controls the performance of, work covered

 

by this Agreement.

 

ARTICLE XVI

 

Section 1—Life of the Agreement

 

This Trade Agreement shall become effective and binding upon the parties hereto on the 1st

 

day of July 2025, and remain in effect through June 30, 2028, and shall renew from year to year thereafter

 

unless either party hereto shall give written notice to the other of its desire to modify, amend, or terminate this

 

Agreement on its expiration date. Such notice must be given in writing by certified mail, postage prepaid,

 

sixty days, but not more than ninety days, before the expiration date of this Agreement.

 

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Section 2—Change of Name

 

This Agreement shall be binding on the parties, regardless of any change of name by the

 

Mason Tenders District Council or changes in the composition of its constituent local Union. This Agreement

 

shall be enforceable by the Employer, the Unions, their successors, the Fringe Benefit Funds, and any

 

constituent local so authorized by the Mason Tenders District Council of Greater New York or its successor.

 

Section 3—Other Agreement

 

If the Mason Tenders and any Employer Association or other Employer in agreement with that Union

 

further modify their existing Agreement or enters into a new Agreement with respect to wages, hours, work

 

included, or fringe benefits, or any other provision or side letter of the Agreement, the undersigned Employer

 

shall be bound, at the request of the Mason Tenders, to such modification.

 

Section 4—Execution of the Agreement

 

The parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed this day and year by their duly

 

authorized officers and represent to each other that they were duly authorized to enter into this Agreement.

 

The person signing on behalf of the Employer also agrees to be personally bound by and to assume all

 

obligations of the Employer provided in this Agreement and said person warrants and represents that said

 

person has authority to bind the Employer and the principals or members thereof.

 

25

 

Signed by all parties hereto as of July 1, 2025, at New York, New York.

 

Print Firm Name

 

Street Address

 

City, State, Zip Code

 

( )

 

Area Code Telephone Number

 

( )

 

Area Code Fax Number

 

______________________

 

E-Mail

 

Federal Tax ID Number

 

_ _

 

D.O.L. Asbestos Certificate Number

 

Signature (in his/her personal and representative capacities)

 

Print Name and Title

 

Dated:____________

 

THE MASON TENDERS DISTRICT COUNCIL

 

OF GREATER NEW YORK

 

By:__________________________ Dated:_________________

 

David Bolger, Business Manager

 

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LOCAL 12A ABATEMENT OF THE

 

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF

 

HEAT AND FROST INSULATORS

 

AND ASBESTOS WORKERS

 

By: Dated:_________________

 

Jaime Soto

 

Business Manager & Secretary Treasurer

 

27

 

SCHEDULE A

 

To the 2025 – 2028 Trade Agreement

 

Between the Employer, Mason Tenders’ District Council of Greater New York and

 

Local 12A Abatement of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators

 

and Asbestos Workers.

 

(a) Effective July 1, 2025, wages for Handlers represented by the Mason Tenders shall be

 

$39.35/hr; subject to the Union’s right to allocate and/or reallocate set forth in Article VII of the Agreement.

 

Wages shall increase by $2.56 per hour effective January 1, 2026, and by a further $2.66 per hour effective

 

January 1, 2027 (in all cases to be allocated by the Mason Tenders as set forth in Article VIII of the

 

Agreement). The Employer further agrees to increase wages and/or benefits in the same amounts and at such

 

times as may be agreed upon by and between the Mason Tenders District Council of Greater New York and

 

the Environmental Contractors Association. Any such increments shall be allocated and/or reallocated by the

 

Mason Tenders District Council to either wages or to Fringe Benefit Contributions as set forth in Article VII

 

of the Agreement

 

(c) Effective July 1, 2025, wages for Handlers represented by the Asbestos Workers shall be

 

$48.45/hour; subject to the Union’s right to allocate and/or reallocate set forth in Article VII of the

 

Agreement. Wages shall increase by $2.56 per hour effective January 1, 2026, and by a further $2.66 per hour

 

effective January 1, 2027 (in all cases to be allocated by the Mason Tenders as set forth in Article VIII of the

 

Agreement).The Employer further agrees to increase wages and/or benefits in the same amounts and at such

 

times as may be agreed upon by and between the Local 12A Abatement of the International Association of

 

Heat and Frost Insulators and the Environmental Contractors Association. Any such increments shall be

 

allocated and/or reallocated by Local 12 A to either wages or to Fringe Benefit Contributions as set forth in

 

Article VII of the Agreement

 

2. Fringe Benefit Fund Contributions

 

(a) For the period July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028, subject to the Unions’ right of allocation

 

and reallocation set forth in Article VII of the Agreement, dues check off and Fringe Benefit Fund

 

contributions to the Mason Tender Fringe Benefit Funds shall be made for Handlers represented by the Mason

 

Tenders, as follows:

 

1. Pension Fund: $4.50/hr

 

2. Welfare Fund: $13.06/hr

 

3. Annuity Fund: $4.00/hr

 

4. Training Fund: $0.50/hr

 

5. Vacation Account: $2.00/hr

 

5. GNY LECET Fund: $.20/hr

 

6. New York State Health and Safety Trust Fund: $0.10/hr

 

7. New York State Laborers Employers Cooperation and Education Trust Fund: $0.15/hr

 

8. Dues Checkoff: $3.27/hr (deducted from wages)

 

9. MTDC PAC: $.20/hr (deducted from wages

 

28

 

(b) Commencing July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028, subject to the Unions’ right of allocation

 

and reallocation set forth in Article VII of the Trade Agreement, dues check off and Fringe Benefit

 

contributions to the Local 12A Fringe Benefit Funds shall be made for Handlers represented by the Asbestos

 

Workers, as follows:

 

1. Welfare $6.10/hr

 

2. Annuity $7.60/hr

 

3. Education $1.25/hr

 

4. Industrial Fund $0.50/hr

 

5. Building Fund $1.06/hr

 

6. Vacation Fund $7.50/hr (deducted from wages)

 

7. Dues Checkoff $3.50/hr (deducted from wages)

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