Unions still on the picket line in N.B.
Blame contractors for nonunion construction, but ask BOE for help
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK - Local union workers who have not been hired for the construction projects at Parsons and Judd elementary schools and Linwood Middle School expressed their disappointment and frustration during the Board of Education meeting on Thursday.

A group of masons, carpenters and bricklayers are upset that Prestige Construction in East Brunswick was hired as a subcontractor by general contractor Rampart Construction during the bid specifications set forth by the Board of Education two to three years ago for the school expansions, since Prestige is known for using nonunion workers. They claim that although the workers are supposed to be paid prevailing wage, which is an amount set forth by the Department of Labor, the subcontractor pays the nonunion workers a lesser amount and pockets the rest of the revenue.

"We know in the past there have been people playing games. We know they are not paying their employees $50 an hour," said John Agugliaro of the Masons Local No. 2

Therefore, because the company can hire cheaper labor, they choose to employ nonunion workers, Agugliaro alleged.

"Prestige Construction has no residents of North Brunswick working at all on these projects," he said. "We have local people here out of work, watching people come in and take their jobs."

The other concerns lie in Prestige not complying with standards set forth by the Department of Labor, according to Agugliaro. He said that Prestige has incurred 22 Occupational Safety & Health Administration violations in the past five years, does not follow apprenticeship requirements and does not ensure health insurance and pension plans.

Agugliaro said that Rampart was given a list of contractors in May but that "it fell on deaf ears." He also claimed that union workers "build to last" while the workers from Prestige "are not using quality construction" in regards to corners, scaffolding and cutting with dry saws.

He said the real question is, "Do you know who's working on your children's schools?"

Yet Schools Superintendent Brian Zychowski said that no matter who is employed, the district has inspectors, a construction management firm and architects who perform quality checks during the entire process. He also said that other contractors working at the schools, such as electricians and plumbers, are unionized.

"We certainly understand their plea but unfortunately there is not much as a superintendent coming in that I can do. Once the specs are written up, the general contractor can use a subcontractor who pays nonprevailing wage. I can't change that. However, we are aware of the concerns of getting the best possible workmanship as required and we are using consultants to do that. Going forward, in the future, we will certainly consider the commitment of the local unions," Zychowski said.

The projects to expand the schools have been going on for about two months and are expected to be completed by next summer. However, the Local members have been picketing in recent weeks because they say despite being residents of North Brunswick and surrounding towns, they are being shut out of the chance to work locally.

Agugliaro said that the unions are not blaming the Board of Education, but they would like to sit down with board members to discuss the situation because they are asking for a level playing field.

"We pay taxes here. We vote you people into office. We are dependent on you to sit down and talk with us," Agugliaro said.

Zychowski said a meeting was being set up between the school board and the unions, as of press time.

Representatives from Prestige did not return phone calls for comment.