Thread: Union painters protest school work

Union painters protest school work Picketing threat in Waukegan

By Ralph Zahorik RZAHORIK@scn1.com

Refurbishing of Waukegan public school cafeterias was interrupted Thursday by union painters protesting the work was being done by painters paid just $8 an hour, well below the required wage for public projects.

Painters Union District Council 14 threatened to start picketing Waukegan High School's main campus and the Ninth Grade Center and all five middle schools if the matter wasn't resolved.

Union members assembled Thursday morning to stage demonstrations, but the public protest was called off after Deputy Schools Superintendent Jules Gaudin met with representatives of the Painters Union and SEIU Local 73, said Frank Sustersic, a painters union organizer.

The dispute could have delayed the opening of school cafeterias. Classes are scheduled to start Wednesday.

It isn't known if the one-day work interruption will cause a problem. Gaudin couldn't be reached for comment.
Until Thursday, union officials said painting work was going on all day, during the night and on weekends.

The Service Employees International Union was involved because the union represents maintenance workers, including painters, employed by the Waukegan School District and food service workers employed by Aramark, the national company now operating the district's cafeterias, said John Baker, an SEIU Local 73 representative.

Aramark won a contract this summer to provide food services in schools. The service previously was operated by a company called Sodexho.

"We had a meeting this morning and amicably sorted things out," Baker said.

Other union representatives said their understanding was that the painting would be done by district employees or by a subcontractor who paid prevailing wages, more than $30 an hour for painters.

"They're going to pull out the (current) contractor," Sustersic said. "All their equipment was put away this morning at the high school. There was no work going on at the other schools."

Workers from companies called "Tapia Affordable Indoor & Outdoor Painting" and "MexPainting" were at the high schools, Sustersic said. Those businesses aren't listed in area phone directories.

"We know they were only paying $8 an hour because we had someone ask the workers," Sustersic said. "They were working days, weekends and nights."

It isn't known if the painters were being paid overtime after 40 hours, required by state law.


08/25/06

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http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/city/5_1_WA25_PAINTERS_S10825.htm

I have always been Pro Union, but when it comes to the SEIU. I would do anything to bust this union. Also SEIU 73 was meeting with the Socialist Party to set up Pro Illegal Protest for Labor Day. Well All of the SEIU Locals should be busted.

$30.00 an hour to paint Where can I sign up

When I was Painiting Houses, I only charged $20.00 an hour.

30.00 an hour to paint Where can I sign up

That's what I thought! My husband did it in Nebraska and got paid 6.50 and hour.