What was Local 18 facing at the beginning of the decade, as it started its second 50 years?
From a work viewpoint, it was one of the best years on record. New training programs were undertaken, and Business Manager Miller said, "We’re on the threshold of a changing industry, an industry that for many of us will be entirely different from the past."
Unfortunately, Mr. Miller, who resigned in June 1990, passed away in October. Local 18 President James H. Gardner was elected Business Manager.
Even though ODOT had $1.1 billion in roadwork scheduled for that year, the new Business Manager inherited some old problems – and gained some new ones. Jurisdictional disputes continued, a republican Governor moved into the Statehouse and the National Associated Builders and Contractors targeted Ohio to repeal prevailing wage and even thought about trying to turn it into a right-to-work state.
A new state program "Access Ohio" was announced in 1993. The program called for ODOT to rebuild, construct or improve major portions of the infrastructure that would handle the state’s needs into 2020 and beyond. Like many previously announced political plans in Local 18’s history, it would not become reality.
Coming full cycle, Stationary Local 589 became Local 18S that year as a result of a constitutional change at the International level.
The 1990’s have seen one of the strongest organizing campaigns in Local 18’s history, a campaign that has extremely positive results. Increasing emphasis has been placed on training and upgrading, and Local 18 working closely with the International, has taken a leadership role in developing and offering quality training to its members.
The more things change, however, the more things stay the same. As Local 18 heads for it’s 60th Birthday, it is still actively fighting prevailing wage changes, seeking additional highway funds and continuing to organize the unorganized.