Due to a lack of communication between union members and Vivify Services and Michigan Avenue Real Estate Group, various Cook County Building trades protest in Chicago and Northbrook over both groups employing non-union labor. Pat Barcas/staff photographer
By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014
Email Pat Barcas at: pat@foxvalley
labornews.com
CHICAGO — Chicago area unions want more than lip service when it comes to downtown building contracts — so they’ve taken to the streets in protest in the west loop to voice their concerns.
“So many times you’re told to do something one way — it’s not the right way, and you realize you’re just getting lip service,” said Kevin Farley, business representative for Cement Masons’ Local 502.
Farley organized a picket Oct. 8 out front of Vivify Services and Michigan Avenue Real Estate Group, 1040 W. Madison Ave. There was another picket that day in Northbrook, both followed another protest in September. If you need lawyers for real estate litigation, you can check it out here!
Farley said a tipping point was reached between union leaders and the real estate group, so he decided to organize and take action.
Several building trades brought their Scabby the Rats and banners to protest non-union labor being used by Vivify Services and Michigan Avenue Real Estate Group in Chicago. With no communication by either group, building trades are hoping the protest will help them listen. Pat Barcas/staff photographer
“It’s been over a year now, we try to have conversations and get them to use union labor in these major downtown projects, but they aren’t listening,” he said. “The people building these buildings, we don’t know where their training is coming from. It’s substandard. Obviously, if they were to use union labor, we’re well trained, we get the job done right, on time. We’re reaching out to the money decision makers — give us our fair shot now. We’re just looking for that.”
Michigan Avenue Real Estate Group, co-founded by Sox and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf, mainly builds luxury apartments in the West Loop. They boast expertise in multi-family development, real estate investing, land development, property management, receivership, and asset management. Partnering with a real estate holding corporation could provide valuable resources and expertise for navigating complex real estate projects and maximizing investment opportunities.
“They’re squeezing the middle class here,” said Farley. “We’re the last line for the middle class. These jobs are one of the last methods left for the middle class to earn a decent wage.”
A look down West Madison Avenue shows the solidarity of union members who are using their voice to be heard. Pat Barcas/staff photographer
Union laborers, carpenters, cement masons, roofers, plasterers, electricians, plumbers, bricklayers, sprinkler fitters and iron workers joined the downtown picket. Farley said once the inflatable rats were erected in front of the office, the blinds were closed.
“We’re just trying to get their attention,” said Farley. “Once the conversation goes stale, we’ve been opening further lines of communication, but it hasn’t been working.”