Thursday, May 8, 2014

Union workers accused of harassment, bullying, intimidation


When customers show up at the Trolley Car Diner in Mount Airy, they're greeted not only with the smell of fresh coffee, but with union workers carrying signs and telling customers not to eat there.

They're protesting owner Ken Weinstein, who is renovating St. Peters Church in Germantown to turn it into a private school — without using union labor.

Weinstein says he put out a bid to three contractors, including one union contractor, but the union folks were outbid. Weinstein told NBC10 that the protests have gone over the line. Weinstein says, he and his son tried to make peace by bringing the protesters coffee and doughnuts. A protester responded by saying 'we know where you live, and we'll visit you,' according to Weinstein.

That forced him to make a police complaint, but no charges were filed.

IBEW Local Business Manager John Dougherty said in a statement to NBC10 that the union is doing nothing wrong.

"Ken Weinstein is a greedy profiteer. IBEW Local 98 is conducting a peaceful, lawful protest at his businesses because he is violating area wages and benefit standards… Weinstein is a fraud and has been put on legal notice to cease and desist with his lies about Local 98."

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