International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 members went on strike Thursday against a group of employers working on building projects across Northwest Indiana. Employers part of the Northwest Indiana Contractors Association and the union couldn't reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement after the previous one expired May 31. The strike will affect building work being done in Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Starke, and Pulaski counties. David Fagan, financial secretary for operating engineers local and lead negotiator in Indiana, said in a statement the union's main focus has not been on wage raises, but on keeping up with rapidly increasing health care costs. "The type of increase that we proposed is completely in line with what has been agreed to in other contracts we have negotiated in Indiana this year," Fagan said. The Northwest Indiana Contractors Association did not offer a new proposal after union members unanimously voted its proposal down last Sunday. That same day, members of Local 150 also rejected contract proposals from the Four County Highway Group and the Indiana Constructors Association, which represent employers performing a majority of road and bridge work in northern Indiana. Members gave union officials authorization to strike on the three separate agreements, but for now, it is only leading a strike against the Northwest Indiana Contractors Association. However, IUOE Local 150 forged a deal Tuesday with the Northern Indiana Independent Contractors Group, which the union said was formed because several employers were frustrated by these associations' hardline negotiating strategy. About 20 employers signed to the Northern Indiana Independent Contractors Group agreement will not be affected by any potential upcoming job actions against employers signed to the heavy and highway agreements. Fagan said in anticipation of a strike, the union reached out to many employers to sign on to the Independent Contractors Group agreement. No further negotiations have been scheduled between Local 150 and the three contractors groups, according to the union. The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 represents more than 23,000 people in Indiana, Illinois and Iowa. Local 150 represents workers in various industries such as construction, construction material production, concrete pumping, steel mill service, slag production, and public works. http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/article_ac5686ac-824d-5171-bd63-9e454d6b7272.html

Wow,makes one wonder about the "national right to work act" now bouncing around congress.

A "national right to work" will cause a revolution in this country. I'll definitely be one fighting against it.

I dont know why they would be worried about the health insurance, I thought the Obama had all of that taken care of for the union guys, and anybody else who needs it.