140 carpenters leave work over contract dispute

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2007/08/16/news/breaking_news/doc46c4175f735ff913959155.txt

140 carpenters leave work over contract dispute

DES MOINES (AP) --- About 140 carpenters left construction jobs Wednesday in central Iowa over a contract dispute with Allied Construction, a union member said.

Members of Carpenters Union Local 106 aren't on strike but want the issue resolved because it affects their pension benefits and health insurance coverage, said Doug Bohall of Des Moines, a union member.

Carpenters walked off the job at 15 to 20 construction sites, including an Allied-Nationwide Insurance expansion in downtown Des Moines, the new Polk County Jail, a hospital project in Pella and a motel being built in West Des Moines, Bohall said.

"We're not trying to shut down any jobs. We're eager to go back to work. We just want to know that everything is taken care of," said Bohall. "We have families. We need insurance just like everybody else."

The union said Allied Construction hasn't signed a new contract with the union, and payments from Allied haven't been applied to the pension and health insurance accounts of members since May 1.

Local union leaders and Allied Construction officials were arranging a meeting to negotiate Wednesday, Bohall said.