Millwrights and Pile Drivers Local Union 1090

Millwrights and Pile Drivers Local Union 1090 is a labor union representing millwrights and pile drivers in Ohio.

History

Millwrights and Pile Drivers Local Union 1090 was formed in November 2011 by merging five local unions. The merged unions were Cincinnati Local 1060, Toledo Local 1138, Columbus Local 2077, South Point Local 1519, and Cleveland Local 1871. The union held its first officer election in December 2012 using a mail ballot system. The 2012 election was conducted by acclamation at a single nomination meeting in South Point. A complaint was filed alleging improper nomination procedures in the 2012 election. The U.S. Department Of Labor investigation found no violation in the 2012 election procedures. The union held another officer election in December 2015. The 2015 election was conducted by acclamation at a single nomination meeting in Columbus. A complaint was filed alleging improper nomination procedures in the 2015 election. The U.S. Department of Labor investigation found no violation in the 2015 election procedures. The union organized a special election on June 17, 2014, in Columbus to ratify bylaws. A member filed a lawsuit in 2014 alleging violations of member rights regarding the bylaws vote. The court dismissed the lawsuit in 2018 for failure to exhaust internal remedies. The U.S. Department of Labor closed a compliance assistance case with the union in 2023.

Membership

Millwrights and Pile Drivers Local Union 1090 serves members in all counties of Ohio. The union also represents members in parts of Kentucky and West Virginia. Jason Clark served as a business representative for the union from 2012 to 2016. Clark was an executive board member of the union in 2015. Clark held the position of political director for the parent regional council in 2015. Brian Slone serves as an apprentice instructor for the union. Kevin Fuller serves as a business representative for the union.

Activities

Millwrights and Pile Drivers Local Union 1090 offers apprenticeship training programs. Members perform tasks such as rebuilding turbines in the power generation industry. The union participates in labor parades to celebrate workers' achievements. Millwrights and Pile Drivers Local Union 1090 sponsors construction career day events for students. Members have contributed to construction of landmarks including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Progressive Field, and Cleveland Browns Stadium. Union volunteers helped build the inclusive playground in Perrysburg. Apprentices gain training through volunteer projects. The union promotes careers in carpentry through community events.

Pension involvement

Millwrights and Pile Drivers Local Union 1090 contributes to the Southwest Ohio Carpenters Pension Plan. The pension plan faced funding challenges due to economic recessions and market declines from 2000 to 2018. The plan was over 100 percent funded in 1998 but forced to increase benefits due to legal restrictions on overfunding. The plan fell to 66 percent funded after a recession in 2000. The plan dropped to 45 percent funded after the 2008 market crash and Great Recession. The plan is in critical and declining status and applied for benefit reductions under MPRA. Brian Slone testified in a 2018 congressional hearing AbOUT the pension plan's critical status. The testimony highlighted the impact of potential pension cuts on workers and retirees. ACTIVE members have contributed more to the plan since 2000 but receive reduced benefits. Plan insolvency could lead to employer bankruptcies and job losses.

Political involvement

Millwrights and Pile Drivers Local Union 1090 endorses candidates in Ohio elections. The union maintains a political action committee that makes campaign contributions.

Labor relations

Millwrights and Pile Drivers Local Union 1090 has been involved in unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board. Additional charges were filed against the union in 2024. The union received notice of layoffs affecting 95 workers at CAM Industrial Solutions in 2025.

Wages

Millwrights and Pile Drivers Local Union 1090 negotiates wage rates for members in various Ohio zones. These rates apply to public construction projects in the state. Wage schedules are used in bidding documents for county projects. The union's rates appear in multiple state facility construction bids. Rates are listed for different districts like South Point and Columbus. Wage rates include fringes for commercial work in specific districts.