Topic: Americana
Landscapers Win ChicagoTurf War Like the days of old, Chicago Unions are battling it out over "Turf"by Raven West, J.D.
(libertarian)
Friday, October 30, 2009
Chicago Unions are fighting over their "turf". Not on the streets, but on the roofs!
The United Union of Roofers, Local No. 11 wants more of the work that is currently being done by commercial landscapers. Teamsters, Local 703, who represents the landscapers, are not willing to give up their turf without a fight.
The union dispute stems from work Moore Landscapes, Northbrook, Chicago, began on one of the largest green-roof projects in the city, totaling more than 80,000 square feet. Two days after starting the job, the roofers union filed an objection with the Chicago & Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council.
The roofers said there's no horticultural skill needed to lay pre-planted trays of vegetation on top of a roof and contend that they have experience with all types of systems, including green roofs, whereas a landscaper is just taught how to maintain vegetation and plants. The landscape contractor's union argued that their member's are better trained and have more knowledge and experience in the science behind installing green roofs than the roofers.
The unions took their dispute to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) who ruled in favor of Moore. The board said roofers could only perform limited portions of a green-roof installation, making landscapers more efficient.
And we wonder why so many companies refuse to hire union workers. With all this fighting going on, prices rise and the work doesn't get done. Maybe once, long ago, there was a good reason to unite against unjust wages, but they have forced so many industries to go to other countries, the only people the Unions work for are the UNIONS!
The views expressed in this
article are those of Raven West, J.D. only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Raven West, J.D. is
solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an
employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
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