Labor Dispute Stalls Cherry Hill Construction In Dearborn

DEARBORN, MI — A statewide labor dispute between a heavy equipment operator union and an organization of road construction contractors is impacting the Cherry Hill reconstruction project in Dearborn. The Cherry Hill project is stalled until the dispute can be resolved, and the City of Dearborn has no authority to intervene, although is monitoring the situation closely, city officials said.

In the meantime, the temporary gravel road on Cherry Hill will be maintained and will remain open to local residents. Access to all driveways will be maintained.

No construction activities on Cherry Hill have occurred since Tuesday, Sept. 4. The city will provide updates as available and will post them on the City of Dearborn website, officials said.

The federally-funded project is being administered by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), rather than the city of Dearborn. Even MDOT cannot intervene in the labor conflict, officials said.

The Florence Cement Company, the contractor retained by MDOT, was on schedule to complete all construction activities on Cherry Hill by Oct. 31, but the labor dispute that went into effect Sept. 4 between the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA) and Operating Engineers 324. They have shut down the Cherry Hill reconstruction and major construction projects throughout Michigan, especially those projects involving union employees.

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