Union protests rattle Springside
The private school has filed charges with an independent federal agency
by MICHAEL J. MISHAK
Spectators attending Springside School's homecoming events early last month had expected to be greeted by the institution's benevolent lion mascot, but instead encountered the beady eyes and menacing fangs of three inflatable rats.
The display, a tactic commonly used by organized labor to draw attention to job sites employing non-union workers, was one of several brushes with an ongoing protest staged by two city unions since Springside awarded the construction contract for its new field house to an "open shop" general contractor in September.
E. Allen Reeves, an Abington-based construction management and general contracting firm, submitted the lowest bid, $1.2 million less than the highest offer, said Richard Hayne, president of Springside's board of trustees, in a statement.
Both the city's carpenters and electrical unions contend that employing Reeves, a contractor they say has a history of avoiding prevailing wages and adequate health care benefits for its workers and sub-contractors, undermines the labor movement's decades-long struggle to achieve decent standards.
While Springside might be saving $1.2 million, the unions argue, workers will suffer under an unfair contractor that, unlike organized labor, does not contribute to a pension plan.
Reeves did not return a call seeking comment.
Demonstrators, representing both Metropolitan Regional Council of Philadelphia & Vicinity United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98, have appeared at every school-sponsored event since a dinner for new Springside parents in September, said Jenny McHugh, director of development for Springside.
"They have decided to make our lives miserable," McHugh said in a recent interview.
Last week, the Local observed three protestors cordially greet concertgoers and distribute handbills at a Springside event. Attendees seemed mostly unfazed as they strolled past signs that read, "Springside School, home of underpaid tradesmen" and "Workers deserve fair wages and health benefits."
The three men declined to identify themselves, only saying they were "citizens concerned for workers' rights." A school security guard, who also declined identification, said the civility was representative of the unions' previous protests.
Some parents disagree.
In a letter to State Rep. Rosita Youngblood, parent Marisa LaDuca Crandall alleged that union organizers have dressed in Springside colors, insulted children, impersonated administrators and threatened school staff. In addition to writing to elected officials, parents have also registered their complaints with Springside, prompting the school to file charges.
On Oct. 21, Springside School filed unfair labor practice charges against the electrical and carpenters unions with the National Labor Relations Board, the independent federal agency that enforces the National Labor Relations Act.
According to Frank Aloise, director of finance for Springside School, the charges stem from "all kinds of different things that were reported to us by parents, children and staff." Aloise, who helped file the charges on behalf of the school, said the complaints did not result from one incident, but considered the entire duration of the demonstrations. He declined further comment.
The charge, obtained by the Local through a request to the regional office of the National Labor Relations Board, claims that both the carpenters and electrical unions have "threatened, coerced or restrained Springside School ... with an object of forcing or requiring certain entities, to cease using the services of ... E. Allen Reeves, Inc." Also, the charge claims that the electrical union, Local 98, threatened to distribute a handbill that "contains false, defamatory statements about Priscilla Sands, Springside School's Head of School." In its complaint, the school asks the agency for injunctive relief.
In a sit-down interview with the Local last Friday, union representatives vowed to continue the protest indefinitely.
Requests to discuss the field house project with the school both during and after the negotiation phase went unanswered, said Mike Hnatkowsky, of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98.
"[Springside's] issue is the bottom line," Hnatkowsky said. "We don't care if the job is union or open-shop. We're concerned for workers rights. Everybody should be on the same playing field."
When asked about the unions' requests to meet with the school, Springside did not respond directly, instead issuing a statement in response to a list of questions faxed to the school.
Though Springside supports "reasonable and peaceful expression of views," said board president Richard Hayne in the statement, "our first obligation is to protect the well-being of our students. Springside has consulted with labor counsel and is considering all legal avenues available to address activities that do not fall under the rubric of peaceful and/or legal demonstration."
Bob Burns, a carpenters union representative, and Hnatkowsky denied all charges of illegal activity. When told of the intimidation allegations, Burns said, "We're not going to dignify those lies."
"Parents are taking offense," Hnatkowsky said. "But we're being as polite as possible."
Citing union actions during Springside's homecoming events, Burns said demonstrators removed one of the inflatable rats after receiving complaints that it had startled children. Also, the group left four hours earlier than planned, he said.
"If there was any sort of illegal activity, wouldn't we be in jail?" Hnatkowsky said.
Though both sides disagree on who made the call, the Philadelphia Police Department's Civil Affairs Unit monitored demonstrations on at least two occasions.
As of Monday, no complaint had been filed with the unit. According to Lt. Dennis Konczyk, of the unit's labor squad, official reports from Oct. 1 and Oct. 13 show "nothing unusual."
"They usually don't cross the line," Konczyk said of the unions. "They know how far they can go. In this case, they didn't even approach the line. If you're looking for support, you don't get it by insulting people."
