LABOR, MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS SIGN `COOPERATION AGREEMENT'

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- The Southeast Missouri Area Labor-Management Cooperation Committee, an association comprised of local business, labor, and community leaders, reached a goal this week.

For more than a year, the group has been working on an agreement between area building contractors and area representatives of local building trade unions for a "Memorandum of Understanding."

"The Memorandum has been signed," said Jack Piepenbrok, executive director of the committee. "This is something we have needed in Southeast Missouri for a long, long time. We have not always really enjoyed the best labor-management reputation in this area."

The Memorandum is modeled after the St. Louis "PRIDE" agreement, which has become a national model for labor-management cooperation throughout the nation, noted Piepenbrok.

In addition to pledging no work stoppages, slowdowns, or jurisdictional strikes, the Memorandum contains numerous other agreements which promise an on-going responsible and ethical relationship between labor and management. In cases of jurisdictional disputes, the parties involved will resolve the dispute off the job site as expeditiously as possible, eliminating the use of picket lines and strikes.

"If necessary, the Council of Construction Employers and the Building Trades Council will render all assistance in these discussions," said Piepenbrok.

Other features of the pledge include:

Owners will continue to show personal interest in their construction before and after the contracts are let. Owners also agree to conduct pre-bid conferences to explain what is expected.

Architects and engineers will provide professional services to the owner, and prepare plans which will clearly define the scope and details of the project.

Contractors will make installation in accordance with plans and specifications and recognized contract procedures. Prime contracts will be responsible for the job progress of their subcontractors.

The importance of craftsmen remaining on the job from start to completion is recognized by all parties. Unions pledge no picketing or strikes on the site.

Unions and contractors will work in harmony, and will strive to produce the best quality installation for the money spent by the consumer.

Suppliers will to the best of their ability seek to deliver materials and equipment according to project schedules, and provide materials of a quality to meet or exceed mutually agreeable plans and specifications.

"This Memorandum will give our economic development people something to take to prospective industry and other owners and contract-letting agencies to show that our labor and management are determined to work together to give users the ultimate in quality work at a competitive price," said Piepenbrok."

"This should go a long ways in helping our image in Southeast Missouri," said Bob Hendrix, president of the Chamber of Commerce. "With all of a the individual entities signing such a pledge, it will help us with industrial and business prospects."

Piepenbrok said the committee had been working on the agreement for more than year.

"A large number of local people have contributed to this project," he said.

He said the long list included Judy Moss, economic development director for the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce; Linda Cochran, Southeast Missouri State University; Guy T. Schwab, Cement Masons Local 980; Jim Turner, Q.T. Masonry; Gerald Hitt, Penzel Construction, Co.; Chuck Roberts, B. W. Birk & Associates; John Baker, Cape Paint & Glass; Dave Zimmerman, Sheet Metal Workers Local 36; Ernie Brown, business agent, Laborers Local No. 1104; and Forrest W. Slinkard, Painters and Glaziers Local 1292.

Many of these are members of the committee, which was founded and incorporated in 1989, dedicated to the improvement of the labor-management climate. The committee was incorporated under the auspices of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

"We feel that a harmonious working relationship between all parties using this understanding as a guide should result in the healthy growth of the construction industry in Southeast Missouri Missouri," said Piepenbrok.

Among those already signing the agreement were:

Schwab; Turner; Baker; Zimmerman; Brown; C. Gene Penzel, president Penzel Construction Co., Inc.. and president of SEMO Contractors Association; B. W. Birk, president, B. W. Birk & Associates; Larry H. Payne, president, Rose Concrete Products, Inc.; Robert Langford, president, Langford Service Company; Dave Reiminger, president, Overhead Door Company of SEMO; and David Snead, president, Boilermakers, Local No. 27.

Mark P. Selby, business agent Asbestos Workers Local No. 1; Charles W. Friend, Honest Abe, Inc.; Donald Sievers, president, Associated Sheet Metal; Andrew Pribble, president Iron Workers Local No. 782; Robert Lamb, business agent, Bricklayers Local No. 23; Bettye B. Payne, president SEMO Ready Mix, Inc.; and U. L. ("Mutt") Lane, business agent, Pipefitters Local No. 562.

"We expect to see many more `signers' in the future," said Piepenbrok.