The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) has a rich and storied history that dates back to its founding in 1903. Formed as a response to the challenging working conditions and lack of labor protections prevalent during that era, LiUNA emerged as a collective voice for laborers across North America. The union’s establishment was driven by the desire to address the pressing concerns of workers, such as fair wages, safer working conditions, and improved benefits.
In its early years, LiUNA focused on organizing workers within the construction industry, particularly those engaged in physically demanding tasks. As the union expanded its reach, it recognized the importance of uniting both skilled and unskilled laborers to advocate for their shared interests. Throughout its history, LiUNA played a vital role in shaping labor legislation, negotiating contracts, and pushing for reforms that improved the lives of its members.
During the mid-20th century, LiUNA became increasingly engaged in political and social issues that extended beyond traditional labor matters. The union was at the forefront of advocating for civil rights and supporting workers’ rights movements. This commitment to broader social justice concerns further solidified LiUNA’s reputation as a multifaceted organization that sought to uplift its members and society at large.
Over the decades, LiUNA continued to evolve, adapting to changes in the labor landscape and embracing new technologies and strategies to enhance its effectiveness. The union’s dedication to training and education for its members, along with its emphasis on workplace safety, has been a hallmark of its efforts to ensure the well-being and empowerment of its workforce. As of today, LiUNA remains a significant and influential force within the labor movement, representing a diverse array of workers and maintaining its commitment to advocating for fair labor practices and workers’ rights.
An experienced attorney can be of great use to LiUNA members, particularly following a workplace injury, wrongful termination, civil rights violations, and other employment issues that may arise. At Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, we have the skills and expertise to provide the best legal representation to LiUNA members for all employment or workers’ compensation claims.
Types of Work Done By LiUNA Members
LiUNA members are involved in a wide range of professions and industries that require both skilled and unskilled labor. Some of the types of work that LiUNA members engage in include:
- Construction
- Transportation and Logistics
- Healthcare Support
- Waste Management
- Public Sector Services
- Manufacturing and Industrial Settings
- Landscaping and Horticulture
- Energy and Utilities
- General Labor
Overall, LiUNA’s diverse membership encompasses a broad array of professions and industries, reflecting the union’s commitment to representing a wide range of workers and advocating for their rights and well-being.
Issues LiUNA Members Face
While union membership has many advantages, LiUNA members can still face several issues in the workplace.
Wage Theft
LiUNA members face significant challenges in wage theft and misclassification, issues that cast a shadow over their employment rights and financial security. Wage theft, a disturbingly prevalent problem within the non-union construction industry, harms workers’ livelihoods and sets a damaging precedent for labor standards.
This unethical practice encompasses a range of unjust actions, from siphoning off portions of employees’ paychecks to outright withholding wages and benefits. Through concerted efforts, LiUNA has been striving to expose unscrupulous employers who engage in wage theft, advocating for justice and reparation on behalf of the affected workers nationwide.
Overtime and Minimum Wage Violations
A second critical issue that plagues LiUNA members is the violation of minimum wage, overtime, and prevailing wage laws. The alliance of LiUNA and social justice advocates has unveiled a disconcerting pattern of contractors failing to honor legally mandated wages. This includes disregarding federal or state-mandated prevailing wages, coercing employees to work “off the clock,” or underpaying for overtime hours.
The impact is tangible, as exemplified by the situation in New York City where LiUNA played a pivotal role in securing rightful pay and benefits for laborers engaged in building affordable housing projects. In this case, contractors were found to have shortchanged workers on prevailing wages and overtime compensation, prompting LiUNA’s intervention to rectify this injustice.
Employee Misclassification
Another distressing issue faced by LiUNA members is employee misclassification, an insidious problem that has far-reaching consequences for both workers and the economy. Misclassifying employees as independent contractors is a practice that circumvents labor regulations, depriving workers of essential protections and benefits.
This practice not only contributes to significant revenue losses for the states and federal government but also leaves millions of workers vulnerable and without recourse. The U.S. Department of Labor’s findings further underscore the magnitude of this problem, with a substantial percentage of audited employers found to have misclassified their workers. Consequently, misclassified employees are denied a range of workplace benefits, from overtime wage protections to access to workers’ compensation in case of injuries.
Union members grapple with multifaceted challenges encompassing wage theft, misclassification, and related issues. These problems not only erode the financial security of workers but also undermine the principles of fair labor practices and employee rights. Addressing these issues necessitates continued advocacy, legal action, and policy reforms to ensure that all workers are treated fairly, compensated justly, and granted the protections and benefits they deserve.
REPRESENTING LiUNA MEMBERS IN ILLINOIS
The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) is a large organization that is divided into several local chapters across the country. Illinois is serviced by the following local chapters of LiUNA:
- Local 397 Edwardsville, IL
- Local 338 Wood River, IL
- Local 6 Chicago, IL
- Local 76 Chicago, IL
- Local 1001 Chicago, IL
- Local 218 Godfrey, IL
- Local 1 Chicago, IL
- Local 4 Chicago, IL
- Local 1092 Chicago, IL
- Local 622 Greenville, IL
- Local 1035 Marengo, IL
- Local 2 Brookfield, IL
- Local 32 Rockford, IL
- Local 582 Elgin, IL
- Local 68 Lombard, IL
- Local 225 Willow Springs, IL
- Local 681, Westmont, IL
- Local 5 Chicago Heights, IL
- Local 1084 Hillsboro, IL
- Local 75 Crest Hill, IL
- Local 751 Kankakee, IL
- Local 309 Rock Island, IL
- Local 727 Dixon, IL
- Local 703 Urbana, IL
- Local 393 Marseilles, IL
- Local 159 Decatur, IL
- Local 477 Springfield, IL
- Local 538 East Galesburg, IL
- Local 362 Bloomington, IL
- Local 996 Roanoke, IL
- Local 165 Peoria, IL
- Local 231 Pekin, IL
At Disparti Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers, we know how important it is for LiUNA union members to have legal support when issues arise at work such as accidents, injuries, and contract negotiations. Whatever the case, you should not have to go it alone. Do not hesitate to reach out to us for a FREE consultation to discuss your situation.
