JH Kelly — one of the Northwest’s largest construction contractors — is such a solid union partner that “we proudly sell union labor” features prominently in its online “culture and values” statement. Surely JH Kelly wouldn’t oppose a union campaign. Or so some employees thought.
In July, they found out otherwise. JH Kelly employs only union members to perform construction labor in the field. But its several hundred office and professional staff up to now have been non-union. Now a group of employees are seeking to join Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 11.
In July 20, Local 11 asked CEO Mason Evans if he would sign a neutrality agreement — something union-friendly employers sometimes do. Under the proposed agreement, the company would share employee lists and contact information with the union, allow union organizers access to offices and work sites, and agree to formally recognize the union if a majority of workers sign union authorization cards…