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.
I'm sorry Fran, but these are not our father's unions. Today they do little to promote solidarity for younger members, have over-inflated the value of their jobs and have chased factories to move overseas. We say full well the past two years that union leaders care only of themselves. Whether it be the schools, or Hostess or the many factories that have left, the unions have destroyed their image as being the go between for the little guy/gal. And remember Fran, it is still the 1% that employ these unions so stop crapping on someone just because they are successful.
The second scenario is that they want to bully the employees of that company to join their union. But they don't have a right o block the site, or stop traffic. Either way, they have no sympathy from me and seeing as they hav the time to picket, maybe they might want to reassess their loyalty to the union because their time would be better spent working and collecting a pay check. Hmmm... who is the idiot?
You tell me not to generalize all unions or judge something or someone you don't know jack about, yet you do the same. This isn't my buddies opinion; it is mine. And yes, I have some knowledge of unions as I was a union leader in the mid 80's for six years. My father was a national secretary for one of the largest trade unions in his day. I also have been on the other side of the table, involved in negotiations with six large unions, for two contracts each, as well as a company-union liason for six years. These are not talking points from the extreme left, so who is clueless now?
BTW, Brian is a business owner, and pays himself. "your boss pays you too much!!"?? Wht does that even mean? :) Third, how is Brian's expression of an opinion "being a bully and telling them what to do?" LOL! Sounds like you're trying to be one, quite frankly. Relaaaaaaax.
Now you're just making stuff up. ;)