Union Members Picket Siena Center Construction Project

The first phase of a senior living center complex has begun at the Siena Center located at 5635 Erie Street, but not without controversy as union picketers are taking issue with Bob Anderson Builders, a contractor on the site.

A handful of picketers representing the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Local 161 have been picketing in front of the entrance at least since Friday, but it is not clear what specific things have the union upset. The union represents 47,000 people in the construction and maintenance industry from northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin and parts of Iowa.

The project is a joint venture between the Racine Dominican Sisters and Lincoln Lutheran of Racine.

Daniel Risch, CEO of Lincoln Lutheran of Racine, said he met with all parties involved in the construction project and felt there were “ample opportunities made to good companies” willing to bid on the work.

“At this time, we have no further comment on the matter,” Risch said.

Andrew Greco, who works for Berghammer Construction, called the Caledonia Police Department on Friday to file a complaint that five picketers had blocked the entrance where concrete trucks were trying to get into the job site. No arrests were made, but the picketers were told they could not stand near the entrance of the building site.

However, the picketers held signs indicating that they were picketing against the Bob Anderson Construction Company. The phone number listed for the company has been disconnected.

Calls made to Greco, the Siena Center and a representative of the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters, but have not been returned.

Construction has begun on the first phase of the three-phase project at the Siena Center, which includes a $12 million building with 90,000 square feet of space, in December. Developers hope to finish the first phase of the project in 2013.

We’ll update the story when we get more information.