Wednesday, April 25, 2007
The Carpenters Union has been protesting against the University of Kansas employment of non-union workers on the Wescoe Hall Conversion project.
Members of the union have been standing beside large banners that read “Shame on the University of Kansas” on the corners of Bob Billings Parkway and Iowa Street. as well as other locations in Lawrence since April 16.
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If you get out of this thing you’re lucky to have your body parts working. That’s why you need a retirement and a pension.
-Ed Thormon, carpenter
Jackie Hosey, interim associate director for news and public relations, said the University had not heard directly from the union or its members although the University has a general idea of why the carpenters are upset.
“We don’t know that much about it,” Hosey said. “We haven’t received any letters and we are not going to go approach them.”
Union representative Pat Stewart said that letters were sent to Construction Design and Management and the Office of External Affairs. Stewart said the union had problems with Midwest Drywall Co. Inc, a sub-contractor hired by R.M.T. Construction Company, which the University hired to do the project.
“Midwest Drywall does not pay an area standard wage, including fully paying for and providing for health care and pension to all their carpenter craft employees on all their projects,” Stewart said. “We’re running a public awareness campaign to spread that information.”
Stewart said the University should still be held responsible even though the University was not directly responsible for hiring Midwest Drywall, a Wichita-based company.
“No one is allowed to insulate themselves behind independent contractors,” Stewart said.
Carpenters holding up an outside banner were enthusiastic about supporting their union.
“If you get out of this thing you’re lucky to have your body parts working,” said Ed Thormon, a carpenter who said he had worked on campus buildings for 26 years. “That’s why you need a retirement and a pension.”
Stewart said that the protest would go on until Midwest Drywall no longer worked on the project. He said the union would consider running a picket line at the construction site.
Midwest Drywall could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.
Kansan staff writer Joe Hunt can be contacted at jhunt@kansan.com.
— Edited by James Pinick
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