Workers picket outside of Shaw Hall Thursday morning.
/ photo: Craig McDowell
SYRACUSE -- A group of construction workers are calling upon Syracuse University to "take ownership" for labor issues that have surfaced at two large construction projects.
Members of the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters picketed outside Shaw Hall on Comstock Avenue Thursday morning claiming that a subcontractor, JW Interior, was not paying its workers the "standard wage and benefits." J.W. Interior was hired by the Pike Company of Rochester to complete renovations to the building.
But because Syracuse University contracted with the Pike Company, Brian Noteboom of the Carpenters Council feels the university has a responsibility to make sure workers are properly paid.
"We do feel they should take ownership not only of area standard wages, but it should be best to find local workers, support the local economy," Noteboom told CNY Central's Jim Kenyon.
In an email to CNY Central, Syracuse University's Chief Financial Officer, Louis Marcoccia responded: "Yesterday, the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters asked that SU examine subcontracting arrangements at a particular jobsite on campus. Accordingly we have contacted the main contractor on the job and are looking into the matter."
The main contractor, the Pike Company has not responded to our request for comment. Subcontractor, JW Interior also has not responded.
Local labor leaders have criticized Syracuse University for another large construction project involving a dormatory being built by a private company on land leased by the university.
Last May, Homeland Security agents arrested 6 illegal immigrants who were working at the project. The workers had been brought in by an out-of-state subcontractor.
