LANSING – A labor dispute is still unresolved, blocking dozens of road projects in Michigan for three weeks as the end of the construction season approaches, Gov. Rick Snyder said Tuesday after a joint meeting with the two parts.

"We have not been able to find a short-term or long-term solution," Snyder told reporters.

"The parties did not agree," but agreed to stay in touch, he said.

Snyder said that he did not want to take sides or be involved in a labor dispute, but with large road projects blocked, he is concerned about "the safety of our citizens and their quality of life".

He stated that he was continuing to evaluate his options, including the possibility of late fines for contractors or using the National Guard, not to take over projects, but to ensure that projects are reopened for the winter.

Mr. Snyder made his remarks after less than an hour of meeting on Tuesday morning with both parties to the conflict – the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association, representing contractors and Local 324, representing unionized operators of cranes and other heavy roads . equipment.

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The meeting was announced Friday as a possible breakthrough in the stalemate in which the union refused to meet MITA. Snyder said Thursday that the National Guard could be helped to help complete work on high-traffic sections of highway, such as I-696 in Macomb County.

On September 4, contractors, represented by the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association, locked out the union, Operating Engineers Local 324, which was working without a contract. The union said it would not negotiate with MITA on a new contract – citing anti-union rhetoric and alleged actions – but that it wanted to enter into agreements with individual entrepreneurs.

The Free Press reported on September 13 that the busy lanes of I-696 remain torn apart in the middle of the conflict and that with work estimated at two and a half months to complete the project, the Michigan Department of Transportation Millions The road works – and many more of the more than 100 road projects affected by the conflict – may not be completed before the gels are formed and fresh concrete can no longer be poured.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @ paulegan4.

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