Local 1236 Signs New Union Shop: Techsource

After months of organizing efforts by Field Representative Dustin Hagan and IUPAT DC5’s Organizing Department, Techsource Enterprises Inc. has finally become Local 1236’s newest signatory contractor.

In March 2021, Dustin met a Techsource foreman named Oscar with a torn ACL who was installing tiles while standing up. Oscar explained that Techsource did not provide him with health insurance. As the conversation continued, it was also revealed that no formal training on new products was offered to him or his coworkers. Training was just “learn as you go.”

Soon after this conversation, Dustin was informed Techsource was not paying the proper wages to its workforce. One woman came forward stating she was being paid less than what the company had promised her. A few weeks later, while picketing another company for unfair labor practices, Dustin was approached by Oscar again. Oscar explained that he knew a group of workers who were not being paid the prevailing wage while working on the Madison High School project, because they were “apprentices.” He asked Dustin if the lower wage they were getting paid was correct. Dustin explained that these so-called “apprentices” could not be actual apprentices as Techsource was not a registered training agent with the State of Oregon. That being said, any worker on the Madison High School project who is NOT a state registered apprentice should be earning the prevailing wage, including the workers Oscar mentioned.

A few weeks after Dustin informed Oscar of the true wage he and his coworkers should have been receiving from Techsource, fellow Field Representative Roman Ramos received a call from another worker named Oswaldo stating he suddenly received an $11 raise. Due to the sudden nature of the pay increase, Oswaldo believed he had been cheated out of wages for the hours he worked leading up to the raise. Immediately, Dustin requested certified payroll for the project and found that in fact the reported wages paid did not reflect the same amount shown on the workers’ paystubs.

After Dustin filed a complaint with the Bureau of Labor & Industries, David Winkler (1236 Business Representative) informed Techsource’s ownership that they were not in compliance with the workforce and training commitments for Portland Public Schools. David offered him two options to reach compliance: IUPAT open shop training or a signatory agreement. Techsource ownership refused both options stating, “they were too expensive for a project that wasn’t going to make much money.” They also attempted to refute the claims Dustin filed with BOLI. Dustin’s response: “BOLI wouldn’t entertain a complaint without evidence.”

In September, Dustin and David were made aware that Techsource had signed a one job agreement with Carpenters Local 1503. The Carpenters were attempting to retroactively cover the Workforce Training and Hiring Program violations against Techsource by bringing one of the company’s employees into their apprenticeship. With the help from the City of Portland, these attempts were squashed.

Even after Techsource was found in the wrong, they continued to bid on public projects. One job in particular had workforce and apprenticeship requirements, as well as an SB2157 requirement (employers must provide healthcare and retirement). At this point, Techsource realized the best option to ensure compliance on the job was to finally sit down and listen to the IUPAT difference.

On November 12, Techsource ownership met with David…

On December 1, their contract with IUPAT Local 1236’s newest members went into effect.