It seems a little strange to say, but we’re happy to see the big machines operating once again on Mast Road and other places.
The road work on Mast Road resumes this morning as road workers are back on the job this morning after a three-week lockout by contractors.
A short-term agreement was reached Thursday after contractors threatened to resume work using non-union workers. The agreement between the Operating Engineers 324 Union and the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association extends through the 2018 road construction season.
The undisclosed temporary agreement addresses the smaller issues of the contract but leaves the larger concerns unresolved. Negotiations will resume over the winter. If no agreement is reached by the 2019 season, another halt could occur.
The work stoppage affected 164 projects across Michigan, 4 of which were in Washtenaw County including the Mast Road culvert replacement between North Territorial Rd and Strawberry Lake Rd.
There is yet no estimate as to when the work will be completed.
