Worker strike could stall INDOT projects

It is still unclear as to whether a strike of some 500 members of the Ironworkers Local 395 will affect projects on the Indiana Toll Road and the Borman Expressway as well as others under the watch of the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT).

The strike entered day two on June 2, but INDOT still remained confident that most projects would be completed on time.

“We figure that eventually it will all work out, and they will redo the timelines,” Amber Scott, spokeswoman for ITR Concession, which manages the Toll Road, told the Post-Tribune.

The Toll Road is currently in the midst of a $250 million capital improvement project, and the latest phase was supposed to start after Memorial Day. Work involved road widening between the Broadway and Cline Avenue exits.

“At this time it is too early for us to tell how many INDOT projects it will affect and for how long,” INDOT spokesperson Angie Fegaras told the Post-Tribune.

Local 395 members want higher wages, even though many were out of work last year. Workers signed a one-year deal with no salary raise in 2009, and were hoping for a multiyear contract this year that included additional financial compensation.

“There are people who are trying to catch up on bills after 16 months of being laid off,” Local 395 Business Manager Mike Summers told the Post-Tribune.