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'Rat' campaign targets projects: union-hired protesters picket non-union contractors.

Publication: Indianapolis Business Journal
Publication Date: 23-MAY-05 		Format: Online
Delivery: Immediate Online Access

Article Excerpt
Union supporters have no plans to exterminate the giant rats that have become a common sight downtown, as they continue to pressure certain contractors to pay what they consider fair wages.

That is the message from the Indiana/Kentucky Regional Council of Carpenters, the labor organization that has adopted the rodent as its mascot for a campaign targeting various downtown construction projects.

Organizers said the effort is twofold: to create public awareness that union contractors are losing work, and to better compete for the jobs by creating a level pay scale.

The labor group hires demonstrators--including many homeless and unemployed people who have little or no connection to the construction trades--to picket various projects, carrying giant fake rats on sticks or even wearing rat costumes.

The carpenters' council chose the rat as its symbol because "the definition of rat is so specific to what these contractors are doing" said Raymond Gilbrech, senior organizer for the council.

Wage and benefit packages for journey-man union carpenters total $33.39 an hour,...

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