Distributed flyer causes speculation
Alla Abramov
Issue date: 4/27/06 Section: News
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On Monday April 24, two men distributed flyers to students on campus voicing their discontent with Union College and the electrician's who are working on the new music building at North Colonnade. The men were from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 236.
The flyer claims that Union "has a choice of over 30 local electrical contractors that pay a fair wage, have a solid track record, and have a New York State Certified Apprenticeship Program," and instead (even with it's large economic spending budget) is allowing the new music building to be wired by "electrician's that are being paid a low wage below the Area Standards." "Also," the flyer pointed out, "the Electrical Contractor that is working on the music building does not have a New York State certified Apprenticeship Training Program."
The men were targeting Union students as they walked by the campus center, near Yellow House and by the Nott. Also, the flyer calls out to Union students to contact President Underwood and let him know that "the students at Union College deserve better."
The flyer seemed to be solicitation and was providing inaccurate information. Union's lawyer is currently looking into the legality of distributing such a flyer.
Loren Rucinski, Director of Facilities Services at Union, stated that Union has nothing to do with the hiring of electrician's for renovation projects such as this one. He said that MLB Construction Services is the general contractor that was hired to work on the music building.
MLB Construction Services was founded in 1947 by three Union graduates, and has been working on projects at Union for many years, including the building of the Minerva Houses, as well as the newly renovated Alumni Gym.
Rucinski said that the general contractors are the ones who hire subcontractors, such as electrician's, to do wiring and other work for them.
Although Union has preferred subcontractors, they hire the general contractors (MLB Construction Services in this case) who, in turn, hire subcontractors to do the best work at the best price.
The flyer claims that Union "has a choice of over 30 local electrical contractors that pay a fair wage, have a solid track record, and have a New York State Certified Apprenticeship Program," and instead (even with it's large economic spending budget) is allowing the new music building to be wired by "electrician's that are being paid a low wage below the Area Standards." "Also," the flyer pointed out, "the Electrical Contractor that is working on the music building does not have a New York State certified Apprenticeship Training Program."
The men were targeting Union students as they walked by the campus center, near Yellow House and by the Nott. Also, the flyer calls out to Union students to contact President Underwood and let him know that "the students at Union College deserve better."
The flyer seemed to be solicitation and was providing inaccurate information. Union's lawyer is currently looking into the legality of distributing such a flyer.
Loren Rucinski, Director of Facilities Services at Union, stated that Union has nothing to do with the hiring of electrician's for renovation projects such as this one. He said that MLB Construction Services is the general contractor that was hired to work on the music building.
MLB Construction Services was founded in 1947 by three Union graduates, and has been working on projects at Union for many years, including the building of the Minerva Houses, as well as the newly renovated Alumni Gym.
Rucinski said that the general contractors are the ones who hire subcontractors, such as electrician's, to do wiring and other work for them.
Although Union has preferred subcontractors, they hire the general contractors (MLB Construction Services in this case) who, in turn, hire subcontractors to do the best work at the best price.
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