BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL, Ill.—Laborers Local 362 (LiUNA) began picketing the Uptown Marriott Hotel here on Nov. 13 as a force of non-union renovation contractors started their work day. The Laborers were there with Scabby the Rat, an infamous inflatable fit for those who cross organized labor.
Scabby originated with IUOE 150 out of Plainfield, Ill. He makes appearances whenever a company brings in non-union labor or scabs to replace striking workers. However, what at first seemed to be a simple picket against using non-union labor at the Mariott turned out to be something much bigger.
The hotel giant hired Edelman Construction Inc. from Missouri to do the work on its Normal branch. The twin cities of Bloomington and Normal are about three hours northeast of St. Louis. They’re quite a way away from Missouri and have no shortage of skilled laborers who could have done Marriott’s renovations.
The Uptown Marriott, opening in 2009 as part of Uptown Normal’s major redevelopment and rebranding, was built as a private-public partnership with the Town of Normal under a project labor agreement (PLA) with local organized labor, a pact which required certain pay and working conditions.
However, the Marriott was sold in 2018 to Atrium Hospitality, a hotel and asset management company based out of Deerfield, Ga., founded in 2015. Atrium Hospitality also owns the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in East Peoria, among many others nationwide.
Ronnie Paul, Business Manager for LiUNA 362, believed at least the spirit of the agreement should still be honored by the new owners and hoped to come to an agreement with Edelmen Construction and Marriott to hire local labor, or at least pay prevailing wages.
According to Paul, LiUNA had an organizer speak to the workers at the Marriott. What they discovered was far more than expected. Edelman Construction brought workers in from all over the country, from as far away as California, Nevada, and Texas. They’re working seven days a week while the hotel is still open.
The organizer, who fortunately spoke Spanish, also learned the workers were not receiving overtime, are not receiving a per diem, extra payment, or funds to cover lodging and/or food; they’re actually just being housed at their worksite – in the hotel. It was also observed these workers were not provided any obvious personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, and masks or respirators despite being required to perform heavy demolition work. When they attempted to visit the contracted workers the next day, they found the workers had been ordered not to talk to them anymore.
While LiUNA continued to picket and demand Marriott hire local organized labor, adding a large cockroach to Scabby, the union also realized something had to be done for these contracted workers.
Illinois recently passed the One Day Rest in Seven Act (ODRISA), requiring employers to give a minimum of 24 hours rest within every seven-day period. While there are some exceptions an employer may file, full-time workers in Illinois are required to have 24 hours off per week.
The exception for ODRISA requires workers to be paid their overtime rate when working more than 40 hours and have agreed to work this extra time voluntarily, both of which Paul and LiUNA are skeptical happened at the Marriott.
They knew they had to stand up for these exploited workers and filed complaints to the Illinois Department of Labor to ensure they are given their owed time off, the pay they deserve, and the safety equipment they need.
LiUNA 362 went beyond just servicing its own members and showed how the labor movement helps and protects all workers from exploitation, regardless of whether they’re in the union or not.
It is likely the Illinois Department of Labor will side with LiUNA. Its complaints against Edelman Construction, with word coming directly from the contracted workers themselves, certainly have merit.
Additionally, Illinois has always been a strong state for organized labor. While its reputation was bought in blood as far back as the Haymarket Massacre of 1886 and the Memorial Day Massacre of 1937 during the Little Steel Strike, with more in between and beyond, workers have made great strides in the state in recent years.
Illinois passed the Workers’ Rights Amendment, which banned “Right to Work” laws and protected union organizing in the state constitution in 2022. The Illinois legislature also passed HB 793 on Nov. 21 this y ear, abolishing the sub-minimum wage for workers with disabilities. The bill will go to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk for signing. Unfortunately, however, implementation is on a voluntary basis until 2030.
There are also ongoing efforts to abolish the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers, allowing them to make full minimum wage plus tips under the One Fair Wage banner. Chicago has already passed an ordinance phasing out the tipped sub-minimum wage, though efforts at a state level face greater difficulty.
LiUNA of course has not been alone in its fight at the Marriott. Community members have stopped by to ask questions and offer their support over the past few weeks of picketing. LiUNA 362 has also asked community members to contact the hotel and voice their concerns regarding the utilization of non-union labor.
The Illinois AFL-CIO, following the Livingston and McLean County Building Trades Council, placed the Uptown Marriott on their “DO NOT PATRIOIZE” list and shared it with locals and followers. According to Paul, it has already had an effect, as he’s been informed that several hotel and conference center reservations have already been cancelled.
Showing their support and solidarity, professors at Illinois State University organizing with United Faculty at ISU, just across the street, presented hotel management a letter in support of LiUNA asking the hotel to hire local union labor and have also asked their visitors not to stay at the Marriott.
Despite the ongoing picket at Marriott, workers in Bloomington-Normal have reason to be excited. The Town of Normal passed an ordinance, 6-0, adding project labor agreements to public works projects with an estimated cost of $50,000 or more. This follows the City of Bloomington’s similar ordinance passed unanimously in July, which followed Springfield, Ill.
It is clear both the Town of Normal and the City of Bloomington value local organized labor. Clearly, Marriott does not. LiUNA and other union members also attended United Faculty’s rally on Nov. 20 as they fight for a fair contract, further showcasing the support and solidarity the twin cities have for organized labor.
Paul and LiUNA 362 hope this community support and pressure reaches Marriott’s corporate owners, as they only respond to dollar signs and profits.
They also want to send a message to the local area: LiUNA 362, and all organized labor, offer the best-trained and highly-skilled workforce that does the job right, and safe, the first time.
LiUNA 362 says it is ready to stand out in the cold and picket for as long as it takes and shows no signs of slowing down. Local members cheer on supporters blaring their horns as they pass bye, answer any questions community members or visitors may have, and gladly share a conversation and tell their own stories. As the workers at the picket say, “We’re here for the workers inside, just as much as we are here for each other.” They’re clearly not going anywhere.
You can follow Laborers 362 and their picket through the Bloomington & Normal Trades & Labor Assembly Facebook.
We hope you appreciated this article. At People’s World, we believe news and information should be free and accessible to all, but we need your help. Our journalism is free of corporate influence and paywalls because we are totally reader-supported. Only you, our readers and supporters, make this possible. If you enjoy reading People’s World and the stories we bring you, please support our work by donating or becoming a monthly sustainer today. Thank you!
CONTRIBUTOR
MOST POPULAR TODAY
Postal Workers launch campaign against another DeJoy mail slowdown
After months of denial, U.S. admits to running Ukraine biolabs
Sudden plant closure forces Chicago Teamsters local to sue Pepsi
Wanted in 124 countries: ICC arrest warrant hems in Netanyahu
“Trail of Tears Walk” commemorates Native Americans’ forced removal
Comments