The Bayonne School District passed over a local union to do
work on an elementary school, so now the union has placed a giant inflatable
rat in front of the school to let everyone know.
Members of Roofers Local Union 8, part of the United Union
of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers, set up a 15-foot inflatable rat
in front of Midtown Community Elementary School as students hurried inside to
before the morning bell Tuesday.
The sight of an inflated rat outside a construction project
usually means the project is being handled by non-union workers.
As three men protested on the corner of Avenue A and West
23rd Street, a large crane loomed behind them and crews from Barrett Roofs, out
of Millington, repaired the school's roof.
"We want to let everyone aware that contractor is not a
Local 8 contractor," said one of the protesters who identified himself
only as "Bill."
Around noon, three Bayonne police cruisers were at the
corner talking with the protesters. They left shortly afterward, but Bill
commented that they were trying to get them to remove the rat.
In addition, Bill said the roofing work being done was far
too dangerous to be performed while students were in the school.
Crews on the roof and in front of the school were removing
large amounts of debris from the roof as well as hoisting other materials back
up. Typically, Bill said, that kind of roofing work is done while students are
not around.
"That work shouldn't be performed while the kids are in
school," Bill said. "That's unbelievable. It's absurd what's going on
here. A child could get hurt."
The crew's crane and a larhe garbage container were placed
on the south side of the school along West 23rd Street and were cordoned off by
a single ribbon of yellow tape.
School workers said principal Christina Mercun was not
available for comment around noon.
Calls for comment to the assistant superintendent's office
and Barrett Roofs were also not immediately returned.
Nearby neighbors said they were more angry at the
construction than the giant rat.
"I don't think they're the problem," said a
neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, about the union's protest.
Christine Turelik, who lives across the street from the
school, said she was not informed that construction would be going on this
week. In addition, the incessant sounds starting early in the morning and fumes
wafting from the roof work are overwhelming, she said.
Turelik added that students were being allowed to play
outside in front of the school adjacent the ongoing construction.
"This should
have been done after the kids got out of school," Turelik added.
"They shouldn't have let the kids outside."
Source: NJ.com
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