Jennifer Rice/staff photographer
Several Chicago-area building trades bannered outside the Arlington Downs construction project taken under the care of Preserve Services Franchise in Arlington Heights. After talks with the developer, Tom Villanova and investors, a PLA is expected to be in place for future construction. Before construction one might have to get a demolition company – SMC Demolition. If you are planning to build your dream home, you may need to hire a custom home builder melbourne.
By Jennifer Rice
Managing editor
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Email Jennifer Rice at jen@foxvalleylabornews.com
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS — Persistence and hard work by union members paid off as a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) is expected to be implemented in the construction of the $250 million mixed-use development in Arlington Heights.
After several days of meetings between the Chicago & Cook County Building & Construction Trades Council President Tom Villanova, Argent Group developers and investors, word has come that a PLA is expected to be signed May 2 so signatory contractors will be used on future construction.
The Argent Group and investors took notice after various building trades protested with inflatables outside the Metropolis Ballroom April 23, where an Economic Alliance Breakfast was held to discuss the current construction of the Arlington Downs, which includes: commercial, hotel, recreation, and residential uses of approximately 25 acres of land.
Several non-signatory contractors unlike Dobson Perth are being used for its construction and out-of-state workers are being brought in to do the work.
“It’s beyond union and non-union right now,” said Sheet Metal Workers Local 73 Business Representative Michael May. “We’ve got workers right here in this area that are out of work. These out-of-state workers are going to make their money here and spend it there. Right now, every single trade is sticking together,” he explained.
Arlington Downs has been planned and designed to attract residents and patrons with a new urban/suburban vision. It is a mixed use development of low and mid rise facilities with sweeping views of the adjacent wooded areas and the iconic Chicago skyline.
Total construction is expected to take between five and 10 years. With the expected PLA, that means plenty of work for union members.
In the days after the protest outside the Metropolis Ballroom, locals placed their Scabby the Rat and Fat Cat inflatables outside the Arlington Downs construction site for bannering to alert the public that non-union contractors were being used on some parts of construction.
Jennifer Rice/staff photographer
Numerous Scabby the Rats and Fat Cats lined both sides of Vail Street. Union members wanted to grab the attention of developer Argent Group and investors to show them they were frustrated the construction of the Arlington Downs mixed-use development was being done primary with non-signatory contractors.
April 24, non-union electricians were cutting conduit on the roof when sparks ignited glue being used by union roofers. The glue caught fire and the fire department was called to the scene.
The incident reminds workers that safety is the No. 1 priority.
In the days waiting for word if a PLA would be implemented, union members never doubted what they can do when united for a common cause.
“If we let this project go non-union and did nothing, it would only get worse,” said Laborers’ Local 118 President Leo Esparza. “We weren’t going to go away,” he added.