Frank DeLeonardis, a local developer, is building what he hopes will be a school on 179th Street at Jerome Avenue. But he's refusing to use union labor to do it, says Local 79, a union that represents construction and general building laborers. This morning they parked a large, inflatable rat across the street from the construction site.
Fliers have also been posted in the area saying:
Is the New York City Dept. of Education conspiring with Frank DeLeonardis to violate New York City's wage, salary and responsible contractor laws?Anthony Reid, a union organizer who's responsible for guarding the rodent, says current workers receive no benefits or training, and that most are bought in from outside the Bronx.
"They're not being treated with dignity or respect," said Reid, whose coat bears a badge that says "Kicking ass for the working class."
