Several LIUNA 362 members show their disgust with one of their former union members — who has defected from the union that trained him, and is using non-signatory contractors to construct his new business. Photo courtesy Laborers’ Local 1

By Mike Matejka
Special to the Fox Valley Labor News
Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015

McCLEAN COUNTY — Union membership brings many benefits – training, job opportunities, better pay and a retirement pension. As a union member, fellow members expect a certain loyalty in return. That is why union members avoid businesses operating non-union or building with non-union workers.

So it is particularly upsetting to McLean County unions when “one of their own” turns against organized labor.

Thornton-Rave Steel Fabrication is a new business under construction in Normal, Illinois, using non-union contractors. The “Thornton” in “Thornton-Rave” is Joe Thornton, a former member of Laborers Local 362 and Operating Engineers Local 649. Marti Rave, a home builder such as the one from home building services in blue mountains, is the other partner in the enterprise.

“My Grandfather pulled Joe from behind the kitchen grill and gave him an opportunity to earn a good pay,” said Laborers Local 362 Business Manager Tony Penn. “He was a good worker and transitioned from a Laborer to an Operating Engineer. He made a good living, earned a pension and had his life changed by the union. So to see him now refuse the union contractors who helped him stabilize his life is very distressing to our membership.”

The plant under construction will bend and pre-fabricate rebar for construction sites. The Livingston & McLean Counties Building & Construction Trades Council, which represents the union trades in those two counties, is encouraging contractors to boycott Thornton-Rave.

“This metal product is going to be delivered to union job sites,” said Livingston & McLean Counties Building & Trades Council President Rich Veitengruber.

“We are asking union members and contractors to avoid Thornton-Rave products. If these products show up at a job site, I hope good union members will know to avoid them,” Veitengruber explained.

“If your products are used on union construction sites, if you got your chance in life through organized labor, you owe those same opportunities to younger workers today,” said Penn.

“To turn your back on the companies who opened the door for you is totally inappropriate. We all do better when we all do better. Hopefully Thornton-Rave will get the message that they need to return to their roots and support the people who historically supported them,” Penn added.