Union contractors who employ Carpenters, Cement Masons, Laborers and Operating Engineers in Southeast Michigan and Carpenters, Laborers and Operating Engineers in Outstate Michigan are eligible to benefit from the CAM Labor Relations Program.  There are no additional costs or paperwork involved.  A contractor may choose to remain an independent contractor and continue to use his independent agreements with the unions, or he may choose to upgrade to the CAM-negotiated labor contracts by appointing CAM as his collective bargaining agent.  The benefits are the same regardless of whether the contractor remains signatory to his independent agreements or becomes signatory to the CAM-negotiated contracts. 

The Program is based on the contractor simply directing his monthly Industry Advancement Fund (IAF) contribution of $.15/hr or $.17/hr to CAM by using the CAM Section on the fringe benefit contribution forms. Your IAF contributions are an asset that you can use to obtain a benefit. Understand that your IAF contributions are received by a contractor association; they do not go to the union or to your employees. Ask yourself – What are you receiving now from the associations to which you have been sending your IAF contributions? Doesn’t it make sense to maximize the use of this asset by receiving labor relations services from CAM?

• Resolution of all disputes with labor unions related to both contractual and noncontractual matters.
• Information regarding current and future wage and benefit rates for all building trades in the State of Michigan.
• Informational bulletins relating to current labor developments.
• Advice and counsel relating to labor and employment disputes under federal and state law.
• Advice and counsel relating to the proper interpretation and administration of 8 CAM-negotiated collective bargaining agreements with the following construction trade unions – Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters; Laborers Locals 1191, 1076, 499 (Monroe County), and 1098 (Greater Saginaw area); Operating Engineers Local 324; and Cement Masons BAC Local 2 and OPCMIA Local 514.
• If you so choose, representation in contract negotiation.

CAM offers this service at no additional cost to you. The service is based on the contractor simply directing his monthly Industry Advancement Fund contribution to CAM. You automatically do this by using the CAM Section on the union fringe benefit contribution form. For work performed in the Metro Detroit-area you would use the following sections on the craft-specific form: Carpenters, Section U2; Operating Engineers, Section U; Laborers, Section A1 and Cement Masons, Section A1. For work performed outside the Metro Detroit-area use: Operating Engineers, Section V; Laborers working in Monroe County, Section B1.

You must first decide whether you want to remain signatory to the independent agreements or whether you want to upgrade to the CAM-negotiated contacts. If you want to remain with the independent agreements, you may obtain the agreement forms from Mr. Jim Oleksinski, M.A., J.D., LL.M., Director of CAM Labor Relations and Government Affairs, at 248-972-1117 or at oleksinski@BuildwithCAM.  You would return the completed forms to the applicable union and copy Mr. Oleksinski.

To upgrade to the CAM-negotiated labor contracts, you will need to complete the CAM Authorization Form that appoints CAM as your collective bargaining agent. As with the independent agreement forms, you can attain the CAM Authorization Form from Mr. Oleksinski.  Understand that you may cancel or amend your CAM Authorization Form at any time, and you may leave the CAM Labor Relations Program at any time.  Only CAM’s high level of service keeps contractors in the Program.  Regardless of whether you choose the independent contracts or the CAM-negotiated contracts, all benefits are available to you.

Mr. James Oleksinski, M.A., J.D., LL.M., Director of CAM Labor Relations and Government Affairs, is the individual providing labor relations services on behalf of CAM.  Mr. Oleksinski is a licensed attorney and certified labor relations and human resources professional with more than twenty-five years of labor relations and labor law experience.  He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, including the Labor and Employment Law Section.  Mr. Oleksinski earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit School of Law and Master of Laws degree with a major in Labor Law from Wayne State University Law School.  He also attained certifications in labor relations and human resources from the Michigan State University – School of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Prior to coming to CAM in 2013, Mr. Oleksinski held the position of Human Resources Director for the City of Madison Heights, where he represented the City in collective bargaining negotiations and grievance meetings.  Mr. Oleksinski also has over 15 years of experience with the Wayne County Labor Relations Division where he worked with a multitude of trade unions and developed strong professional relationships with the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council.  He began his career as a Law Clerk with the Wayne County Corporation Counsel.

In his duties as Director of Labor Relations and Government Affairs, Mr. Oleksinski regularly provides advice and guidance to numerous general contractors and subcontractors participating in CAM's Labor Program. 

Your questions are welcome.  For a further explanation of CAM’s Labor Relations Program and how your company may obtain the greatest benefit, contact Mr. Oleksinski at the CAM Office (248-972-1117 or oleksinski@buildwithcam.com).