OE3 LOGO Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3


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Surveying @ Local 3

Surveyors at work Click to view image Enlarge image Enlarge image enlarge image View photo gallery

January 2012 - Ratification meeting date set

Don't miss the ratification meeting for the Master Surveyors Agreement at 5:30 pm on Tuesday January 24th, 2012 at the Local 3 Headquarters Building located at 1620 South Loop Road, Alameda CA. Please contact John Rector for more information.

November 2011 - Contract Negotiations

Negotiations begin on Monday, Nov. 21 and continue on Tuesday, Nov. 22. Watch for an updated Courier report for Members Only.

3D Laser Scanning Class - October 2011


Laser Scanning ClassClasses are underway for the 3D Laser Scanning Class.
This 27 Hour Comprehensive Training Program is open to all Local 3 members. Class locations can be found throughout Northern California and there is No Charge to OE3 Members, Signatory Firms and their Staff. If you are interested in attending, call the Northern California Surveyors Joint Apprenticeship Committee (NCSJAC) at [510] 748-7413.

Pre-Negotiations

As most of you are aware our collective bargaining agreement will expire in March of 2012. Later this year we will be notifying the membership of pre-negotiation meetings to take place and discuss the issues surrounding our industry and bargaining points for the negotiations. So stay in touch with your Business Representative for future updates. Log on to the members only website to get updates with the Tech Engineers Courier newsletter.


How do we define the boundaries of land, water and air? How are maps created? Who determines the topography of the earth below the water's surface before a bridge is built? The professional surveyor addresses these matters every day in the field.

Click to enlargeThe work of a surveyor is to make accurate and precise field measurements in order to determine the topography of the earth. There are many different types of surveyors, each specializing in measuring various aspects of the earth on which we live.

Professional surveyors can measure land, air space, and water areas, and are required to describe where a certain area of land is, what it looks like, and how much is there. Surveyors may define air space for airports, and measure construction and mineral sites. Geodetic Surveyors measure large areas of the earth's surface. Geophysical Prospecting Surveyors mark sites for exploration below the earth's surface, usually related to petroleum. Hydrographic surveyors study harbors, rivers and other bodies of water.


Prevailing Wage Determination (5.09.2011)

Read the DIR's Prevailing Wage Determination

GENERAL PREVAILING WAGE DETERMINATION MADE BY THE DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA LABOR CODE PART 7, CHAPTER 1, ARTICLE 2, SECTIONS 1770, 1773 AND 1773.1



Jobs for surveyors

surveyor bridgeJobs for surveyors are expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rapidly advancing technology is increasing demand for the highly-skilled surveyor-the 21st century promises to bring about exciting and innovative developments in surveying.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2007

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