LABORERS’ INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA (LIUNA)
The Laborers’ International Union of North America was founded in 1903, after a call to action by Samuel Gompers, the first president of the American Federation of Labor. Today, the union represents more than 800,000 construction laborers, healthcare workers, public sector workers, mail handlers, federal workers, service contract workers and industrial workers throughout the US and Canada. The International has taken the initiative in training its members in basic construction skills, as well as hazardous materials clean-up, and has been recognized as one of the most innovative unions in the labor movements with 75 state-of-the-art training centers.
LIUNA is dedicated to ensuring that the rights and dignity of our members, and indeed all workers, are preserved. Our historic mission remains as relevant today as it was over a century ago when our great union was founded:
To empower working men and women.
To raise Laborers’ living standards.
To give them a strong voice in the workplace.
To provide skills so that members can achieve their full potential.
To protect members’ health and safety, and most of all…
To represent our members, to ensure dignity, respect and security.
PURPOSE OF THIS HANDBOOK
This handbook is provided as a reference guide for routine questions you may have about your rights and responsibilities as a member of Local 271. Our hope is that this information will alleviate any concerns you may have in reference to your work with a union contractor before any of those concerns turn into a problem. In that sense, information is power. So please, take a few minutes to read and understand your rights and responsibilities as a member of Laborers’ Local Union 271.
RESPONSIBILITIES
LABORERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
There are certain things that a contractor will expect from you when you are referred to a project for work.
You will be expected to arrive at the job site on time.
You should be prepared to work an entire day, unless you have made arrangements for a scheduled leave due to circumstances beyond your control.
The contractor has a job to do and time-frames in which to do it. You are expected to be productive while on the job.
If, for any reason, you will be unable to report to work on a given day, you are expected to promptly call your Steward, the company, or the job site, whichever has been designated as the contact for such purposes.
You are expected to pay monthly dues as a condition of your employment. If you become more than 60 days late on your dues payments, you will be suspended without notice.
In the event there are any discrepancies in the crediting of hours, you should keep your pay stubs.
You should notify the local union office and the Fund office of any change of address and/or telephone number.
CONTRACTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
Just as you have certain responsibilities to the contractor, you are entitled to expect the following from your employer while on the job site.
Just like you, the contractor is expected to be at the job site on time.
You have the right to a safe job site. The employer is required to provide certain equipment in order to maintain your safety, such as hard hats, rain gear, boots, safety glasses, breathing masks, and anything else that may be required to protect you from hazardous conditions.
You can expect to be notified when there will be job delays.
You should be given advance instructions concerning what to do when there is bad weather.
The contractor has until the 25th day of the following month to report the number of hours you worked.
OVERVIEW OF BENEFITS
As a member of Local 271 you will be entitled to receive certain benefits. Some will require a minimum number of reported hours before you are eligible to receive them.
After a reported 300 hours, you will be entitled to legal services through the Rhode Island Laborers’ Legal Service Fund.
After a reported 800 hours you will be entitled to medical benefits. Any questions regarding medical benefits can be directed to the Rhode Island Laborers’ Benefit Fund. You will be entitled to vision care for yourself and your family, consisting of yearly examination and prescription glasses. You will be entitled to receive drug and alcohol abuse counseling for yourself and members of your family through MAP.
After a reported 1000 hours you will earn 1 pension credit per year, 5 pension credits will vest you in the Rhode Island Laborers’ Pension Fund.
Important Contact Numbers Regarding your Benefits
Legal Services - 401-421-7800
Benefit Questions - 401-942-8690
(Number of Hours Reported, Health, Pension, Annuity and Death Benefit)
Vision Benefits - 401-831-7300
Blue Cross Dental - 401-831-7300
M.A.P. Program - 401-398-7681
(Dr. Francis R. Sparadeo, PHD, APA-CPP, Wellness Corp., Informed Intervention, LLC)
To any 271 members working at Twin River Casino, please email question and/or concerns to: benefits@twinriver.com(responds within 48 hours)
LOCAL 271 RULES FOR JOB REFERRALS
Applicants will be added to the out of work list on the day they notify the local and sign the out of work list.
Applicants may solicit their own employment with signatory contractors. If an applicant does solicit their own job, they are to promptly notify the office at (401) 331-9682 in order to be certain that benefit contributions are properly and promptly credited.
Jobs will be assigned according to Position Number, availability and qualifications.
If two job referrals are refused, the applicant will move to the bottom of the list.
Less than 10 days of work will not cause the applicant to lose his/her position on the out of work list. It is the applicant’s responsibility to inform us as soon as possible upon termination.
Each applicant who accepts an offer of referral and is hired by the contractor for a minimum of 10 days will be removed from the list. Applicants must re-sign the list for future referrals.
Under the terms and conditions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the AGC of Rhode Island Inc. and the CIRI, a contractor reserves the right to transfer and re-hire union workers previously employed.
Local 271 Meeting Information
THERE IS A MONTHLY UNION MEETING ON THE FOURTH MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH AT:
THE NEW ENGLAND LABORERS’/CRANSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS CONSTRUCTION CAREER ACADEMY.
4 Sharp Drive
Cranston, Rhode Island 02920
MEETINGS BEGIN AT 7:00 PM.
FROM POINTS NORTH
RT. 1-95 SOUTH TO RT. 37 EXIT 14B-TOWARD CRANSTON
TAKE EXIT 3 PONTIAC AVENUE-
TAKE LEFT ONTO PONTIAC AVENUE.
TAKE LEFT ONTO KENNEY DRIVE (HOWARD INDUSTRIAL PARK JUST AFTER THE RI LOTTERY HEADQUARTERS) –
TAKE FIRST RIGHT ONTO SHARPE DRIVE GO TO END.
FOUR SHARPE DRIVE IS THE LAST BUILDING ON RIGHT.
FROM POINTS SOUTH
RT. 1-95 SOUTH TO RT. 37 EXIT 14B – TOWARD CRANSTON.
TAKE EXIT 3 PONTIAC AVENUE – TAKE LEFT ONTO PONTIAC AVENUE
TAKE LEFT ONTO KENNEY DRIVE (HOWARD INDUSTRIAL PARK JUST AFTER THE RI LOTTERY HEADQUARTERS) –
TAKE FIRST RIGHT ONTO SHARPE DRIVE GO TO THE END. FOUR SHARPE DRIVE IS THE LAST BUILDING ON RIGHT.
LOCAL 271 UNION DUES:
The present dues structure is $41.00 per month, which is payable quarterly in advance of one payment of $123.00.
We accept cash, check, money order, debit or credit cards. All checks should be made payable to: Laborers’ Local Union 271.
Dues can be paid as follows:
In person during office hours 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday thru Friday at 410 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903
Through our phone app - "LiUNA Local 271" (debit or credit cards only)
or
Send check or money order by mail to the above address. (DO NOT SEND CASH)
If paying by mail, your union card should be send along with your dues so that it can be stamped and up-dated. We will then send you back your updated card and receipt.
Under the regulations of the Local Constitution: “The monthly dues are due the first day of the month unless paid on or before the last day of the following month, the member SHALL BE DEEMED SUSPENDED by the International Union without notice. ANY MEMBER THAT IS SUSPENDED WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY A RE-ADMISSION FEE.”
Please notify our office immediately of any changes to your address or telephone number, or if you should enter the military.
If you become unemployed or are seeking work, you must come to the office and sign the out-of-work list. The signature is valid for 90 days, after which time you must come in and resign the list to hold your position.