UPDATE-Regional Council of Carpenters…. In earlier editions of this e-newsletter we reported on the activities of the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters.
They are now making good on there promise to conduct a …“new public information campaign”. Furthermore that campaign will include “highly visible lawful banner displays and distribution of hand bills” adjacent to the owners premises.
Two such situations have been brought to ABC’s attention. The first was a demonstration composed of a few people carrying picket signs with hand made lettering that was not readable by drivers who were passing by. This lasted only a couple of days probably due to the extreme heat at that time.
The second incident was different. There was a large banner located on a public sidewalk that anyone could read from a passing car that named and shamed a particular business in the adjacent area. (to protect the innocent people and business they will go un-named.) The banner was manned by about 3 or 4 people. The business identified on the banner was located in a strip mall and the new business was being shamed for hiring a drywall firm the Carpenters Council had a supposed labor dispute with. In the end the owner of this new business felt this kind of publicly was not good and they spoke to the GC to have the drywall contractor replaced with a “union contractor”. It was disappointing indeed to learn that the business/owner succumbed to intimidation by the Carpenters Council.
What was also interesting was that a representative of the Carpenters Council had been allowed to walk on the job site and talk with workers unhindered by the GC according to the drywall company. This occurred four times at three different job sites. To make matters worse the “representative” did not have on boots and a hard hat. If OSHA had been around the GC have would run the risk of a fine and the time and expense associated to appeal the violation.
However, at yet another GC’s job site the representative tried four times to come on the site and was stopped and turned around. As in the other cases he did not have boots and hard hat. This GC was an ABC member that understood the importance of controlling his job site and the associated risks involved for failing to control the site. GOOD FOR HIM!
Two important thoughts:
ü Control who is coming and going on your job site. If the GC fails or is not attentive to this matter then speak to him about it. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to him then contact me and I will be happy to give him a call.
ü It is important that we keep on top of this. So call me and keep me informed!!!! You can reach me at the ABC office 402-477-4451 and ask to speak to Bruce Kevil.