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Introduction
From our perspective, contractors in Missouri working on heavy civil projects throughout Missouri know that workforce reliability is non-negotiable. When you're hiring union operators from Operating Engineers Local No. 513—professionals who manage cranes, bulldozers, and earthmovers—you’re not just managing equipment. You're entering into a binding agreement that includes strict financial commitments to the union’s benefit funds. That’s where the Operating Engineers Local No. 513 - Wage and Fringe Benefits ($15,000) Bond comes in.
This bond acts as a safety net for the union. It guarantees that contractors will pay the required wages and make timely contributions to fringe benefit funds that support health insurance, retirement plans, and training programs. Without this bond, contractors are typically barred from hiring union labor or could face claims if they fall behind on contributions.
For contractors working with other entities, such as utility providers, it’s common to need additional bonds like the Union Electric Company dba Ameren Missouri - Utility Deposit Bond—which covers payment obligations on commercial utility accounts. Each bond serves a different purpose, but both support ongoing project operations and financial trustworthiness.
Why This Bond Causes Confusion
We’ve noticed that some contractors mistakenly believe their general liability insurance or performance bond satisfies Local 513’s requirements. It doesn’t. The Operating Engineers Local No. 513 - Wage and Fringe Benefits ($15,000) Bond is purpose-built to address only fringe benefits and wages under the union's collective bargaining agreement.
This bond doesn't guarantee that work will be completed—it guarantees financial contributions to the union’s trust. The amount—$15,000—is not arbitrary; it’s the minimum required to back contributions owed by most employers. In cases where a company employs a large union workforce, the trust fund may request a higher bond amount.
Contractors working across Missouri sometimes hold multiple union bonds simultaneously. For example, in Kansas City, they might also be required to carry the Operating Engineers Local No. 101 - Fringe Benefits Bond. Each local has its own bonding requirements and trust fund.
How Swiftbonds Can Help
Based on our experience, contractors who work with Swiftbonds secure the right bonds faster and with fewer delays. We understand union-specific bond language, acceptable surety providers, and the filing preferences of benefit trust administrators like those managing Local 513’s fringe benefit fund.
We also support contractors managing other financial assurance requirements. Need a Union Electric Company dba Ameren Missouri - Utility Deposit Bond to open a utility account while you're getting set up at a job site? We’ve helped hundreds of contractors across Missouri do just that—often at the same time as securing their union bond.
Swiftbonds offers an end-to-end bond service: fast quotes, transparent pricing, compliance review, and immediate bond delivery. We take the guesswork out of staying compliant with Local 513 and other Missouri union locals.
Steps to Get the Local 513 Fringe Benefits Bond
What we’ve discovered is that securing this bond doesn’t need to be complicated. Here’s a simple step-by-step process contractors can follow:
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Contact Local 513 – Get a copy of the collective bargaining agreement and bond requirements.
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Confirm the bond amount – The default is $15,000, but it may vary.
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Apply with Swiftbonds – Submit business info and financials to get approved.
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Review and sign – We'll send the bond for your signature, and then file it with the trust.
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Keep it active – Renew the bond on time to avoid a lapse in union labor access.
Swiftbonds offers tailored reminders to help contractors stay on track with their bonding obligations year-round.
What Can Go Wrong Without This Bond
In our observation, skipping or delaying the Operating Engineers Local No. 513 - Wage and Fringe Benefits ($15,000) Bond can sideline a contractor. Local 513 won’t release laborers to a project unless the required bond is active and on file with the trust.
If a contractor begins work without the bond and then fails to make benefit payments, the trust fund can file a claim in court—and the contractor becomes liable for not just the unpaid contributions but also collection costs, interest, and attorney’s fees. That financial and reputational risk is easily avoidable by securing the right bond upfront.
This applies across the state. If your work spans multiple regions, you might also need a Operating Engineers Local No. 101 - Fringe Benefits Bond or utility-related bonds like the Union Electric Company dba Ameren Missouri - Utility Deposit Bond, depending on your setup and location.
Missouri Law and Union Bond Requirements
While the Missouri Little Miller Act (RSMo § 107.170) governs performance and payment bonds for public works, it does not apply to union benefit bonds. The Operating Engineers Local No. 513 - Wage and Fringe Benefits ($15,000) Bond is required by private labor agreements, enforced by union trusts—not public agencies.
The bond is typically required by the trustees of the fringe benefit funds, and it must be written in favor of those trusts. These bonds fall under civil law enforcement and are backed by the terms of collective bargaining agreements. Swiftbonds prepares bonds that meet these legal specifications, ensuring immediate acceptance by union administrators.
Contractors should review their union agreements or consult the Missouri Division of Labor Standards if unsure. You can also find general Missouri construction bonding rules on the Missouri General Assembly’s official site.
Conclusion
We’ve come to appreciate that the Operating Engineers Local No. 513 - Wage and Fringe Benefits ($15,000) Bond plays a vital role in helping Missouri contractors stay compliant and active on union job sites. Whether you're breaking ground in Jefferson City or mobilizing crews in St. Louis, this bond helps maintain trust, streamline hiring, and safeguard the benefits of union workers.
Swiftbonds helps you meet this requirement with speed and precision. If you’re also managing utility setup or other trade unions—such as with a Union Electric Company dba Ameren Missouri - Utility Deposit Bond or a Operating Engineers Local No. 101 - Fringe Benefits Bond—our team is ready to assist across the board.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who requires the Operating Engineers Local No. 513 bond?
We’ve often noticed that this bond is required by the trustees of the Local 513 fringe benefit fund as part of a contractor’s union labor agreement.
What happens if I don’t get this bond?
We’ve often noticed that contractors without this bond won’t be allowed to hire Local 513 union members. If you proceed anyway and miss payments, you could face legal claims and penalties.
Does the bond cover performance or materials?
We’ve often noticed that this bond only covers wage and fringe benefit contributions. It’s different from a performance or payment bond used in public construction.
Can the bond amount be higher than $15,000?
We’ve often noticed that while $15,000 is the minimum, the required amount may increase depending on the size of the workforce or the trust’s assessment of risk.
Do I need this bond for each union I work with?
We’ve often noticed that yes, separate bonds are usually required for each union trust fund. You might need this bond along with others, like the Operating Engineers Local No. 101 - Fringe Benefits Bond or the Union Electric Company dba Ameren Missouri - Utility Deposit Bond, depending on your contracts.