By Parisa Burton and Tristan Weisenbach
Opinions Editor and Managing Editor
The Ewing-based Local 77 branch of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, representing construction workers throughout southern and central New Jersey, protested outside the College on Nov. 22 regarding the use of non-union labor for an asbestos abatement project in Forcina Hall. Two large inflatable rats were displayed as part of the protest.
“Simply put, we very much want to begin talks on the hiring of skilled local workers on this locally important project and would hope the TCNJ administration and community would support our efforts,” said Rev. Carl E. Styles, the LIUNA Local 77 business manager, in a statement to The Signal.
Luke Sacks, the College’s head media relations officer, told The Signal in a statement that Shade Environmental, an environmental remediation contractor that serves Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, was selected as the contractor by the College for the project through a competitive open bid process.
“Union labor is not required for this project but the contractor is providing prevailing wage labor as required by the state,” Sacks said.
According to project bid results, Shade Environmental had the lowest bid for the asbestos removal, at $222,900. New Jersey state law requires that, in most cases, public colleges award contracts to the lowest responsible bidder.
Styles noted that LIUNA has a long history of serving the College and its surrounding community, and said the union wants to engage in discussions about the importance of labor work to strengthen communities.
“We always seek to work collaboratively, but when we are shut out of the opportunity to work locally, especially on public projects where skill, safety, and value are paramount, we are not afraid to voice our concerns, which is what we are doing at [the College],” Styles said.
Members of the LIUNA Local 77 union were distributing flyers at the protest (Photo by Parisa Burton).
At the protest, LIUNA workers carried flyers stating, “Ask TCNJ and Shade Environmental to do the right thing and hire locally.” They believe the College can benefit from high-quality work and timely completion, while also supporting the local community.
Shade Environmental declined to provide a comment at this time.
Forcina Hall is set to undergo renovations within the coming months to improve the building’s sustainability and provide modernized learning spaces for the computer science and nursing departments. The renovations are funded by a $33 million grant from the state’s Office of the Secretary of Higher Education.
