Q&A with Rod DuChemin
Director of Labor Relations for the AFL-CIO Investment Trust Corporation
Rod DuChemin has served as Director of Labor Relations since 1994 and brings to the job more than five decades of experience with union labor. Over the years he has held a variety of positions in the labor field, with a special emphasis on training and education. Rod discusses just how the ITC’s labor relations services work.
Q: First, will you explain the BIT’s union labor requirement?
RD: It’s pretty straightforward. The BIT invests in projects that promote using 100% union labor for all on-site construction work. That means that all construction workers on the site are employed by contractors having a collective bargaining agreement with the appropriate unions who have jurisdiction for work in the area. Where it is helpful, we work closely with borrowers and contractors on each project to help them meet this requirement. In addition, for all properties in which the BIT has an equity interest, we help ensure that capital improvements and service work meet the BIT’s labor requirements.
Q: What kind of help does the ITC offer?
RD: First, we work together with the local Building and Construction Trades Council and union representatives to help developers identify qualified general contractors or construction managers. This allows us to foster relationships among all the concerned parties. Secondly, ITC’s staff works with building managers to identify qualified contractors to provide service and capital improvement work at BIT-owned properties.
Q: And those relationships help get the project going smoothly?
RD: Absolutely. We work to promote positive labor relations, which results in higher productivity. At the same time, our efforts help minimize any disruptions that may occur and any possible costs associated with labor-management disputes.
We also encourage pre-job meetings between the unions and the general contractor/construction manager to help ensure appropriate work assignments and to help isolate potential problems the project might encounter. These discussions can also lead to suggestions about a job’s specified materials or methods that result in cost savings.
Q: Are there some types of projects where the labor requirements can’t be met?
RD: We’ve been highly successful with all types of development projects, including apartment, office, industrial, retail and hotel. The key is our ability to work proactively with developers and the building trades unions and to work out accommodations for any issues developers might have with meeting our labor requirements.
Q: You mention “accommodations” to make sure a project can meet BIT’s union labor requirement. Can you give an example?
RD: Some projects bring with them certain “local hire” requirements. When this is the case, ITC staff will work with the building trades to identify specific contractors as well as individuals who can meet these requirements.
Q: Do the ITC’s labor relation services offer any other advantages to developers?
RD: I think “advantage” is the key word. Even though some other capital sources require the use of union labor, the ITC offers a full range of labor relations services. The services provided add value to developers using BIT capital because we work to help developers and contractors build a quality product in a timely and cost effective manner. This makes our services beneficial to developers who want access to quality contractors, subcontractors and their skilled craftworkers. Local unions have been supportive of our policies because they expand training and job opportunities for their members.