The union representatives were handing out fliers stating that Lightstone Group and its chairman David Lichtenstein is allowing contractor Lettire Construction Corporation to exploit its non-union construction workers. The union is urging people to show support for a safe environment, a living wage and for dignity and respect for the workers .
The flier includes a phone number for David Lichtenstein.
I spoke to the union supervisor in charge of this mornings' protest. "You know, Lightstone received a lot of subsidies to build this project. What happened to the money?"
It is important to remember that Community Board 6 made its own "Responsible Contractor
Conditions (which calls for union labor whenever possible) a condition on voting yes to the original rezoning of the Bond Street site from manufacturing to mixed-use.
Community Board 6 repeated that condition when Lightstone Group needed a 'minor modification' to change the number of housing units from 400 to 700 units.
Obviously, Lightstone decided it did not need to follow those recommendations, and Community Board 6 is always too quick to point out that its role is only advisory.
As for the safety of the workers currently employed by Lettire Construction Corporation, I have personally spoken to quite a few who seemed concerned about working on a Brownfield site that just happens to be right next to an EPA Superfund site.
P.S.:
I would like to thank my friend L. for letting me know that the rat had made an appearance at the site.
***UPDATE***
Reader and friend C. just forwarded me an open Environmental Control Board violation issued to Lettire Construction Corporation on February 5th for a lack of "overhead protection for workers for walkway and sidewalk."
A partial stop-work order was issued. It was rescinded on February 13th.
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