Union workers in Boston closed a major city street in order to compel the owner of a downtown building to stop using unfair work practices, and they plan to keep protesting despite the construction site's proximity to the Boston Marathon route. owners The workers, along with state and city officials, blocked off Boylston Street for over an hour during lunchtime to protest construction activities at 581 Boylston Street, also known as the Wesleyan Building.
According to several union members interviewed by the Herald, the new owners of the building are permitting the general contractor to hire non-union workers at low wages for construction work very close to the public and near the location of the upcoming Boston Marathon.
Chaton Green, a representative of the Greater Boston Building Trades Unions, expressed the hope that the owners of the building will stop exploiting the workers. If they do not, the protestors want the marathon organizers to be mindful of the potential impacts of further protests.
Green stated, “There is a concern about the working conditions at that job site, so there will be a lot of visibility and rallying in that area to ensure the safety of the workers.”
The protestors do not plan to cross the marathon route or disrupt the race, but they will continue to make their presence known until the owner of the building stops employing non-union workers.
“It is deeply troubling for such working conditions to exist in Boston, especially given the significance of the Boston Marathon. This situation contradicts the core values of the race and the city,” Green remarked.
Frank Murray, President of the Ironworkers Local 7, emphasized that the construction workers at the Wesleyan Building should not be faulted, as they are being paid very low wages for hazardous work, which is detrimental to all workers.
Murray stated, “Unions provide a way to enter the middle class and were instrumental in building the middle class. These workers are being mistreated on the job, despite not being bad people.”
Marcel Safar, a managing partner with Chevron Partners, expressed disbelief at the idea of exploitative practices occurring at the site and the low wage mentioned by the protestors.
Safar explained, “We were not contacted by the protest organizers, so we were unaware of their concerns until today. Additionally, Chevron Partners does not directly employ any construction workers at the site; the contractor is J.L. Dunn.”
did not reply to a request for comment before the deadline for publication.
J.L Dunn According to the
Boston Athletic Association A BAA spokesperson told the Herald that maintaining a clear race course is crucial to help 30,000 participants navigate safely, and to ensure optimal access for emergency personnel and clear views for all spectators.Several local politicians, including Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn and State Sen. Lydia Edwards, took part in the protests on Monday.
“F—k around and find out,” Edwards remarked about the contractors.
Union members demonstrate against construction work on a building using non-union workers on Boylston Street. (Matt Stone/Boston Herald)
Union members gather on Boylston Street for a demonstration against construction work on a building using non-union workers. (Matt Stone/Boston Herald)
