Detroit protests at construction site

Filed under Labor, Skilled Trades, Unions

Union workers in Detroit picketed a midtown apartment construction site this week, protesting that the contractor hasn’t hired a proper quota of local workers to complete skilled-trades work. The protest was 250 strong at one point.

Barabas Shabazz, of Carpenters Local 687 said that city policy dictates that at least 50% of skilled-trades workers on any city construction project must residents of Detroit. The construction project involves a parking garage, apartment units and retail space.

Mike Houseman, the owner of Houseman Construction Co., the contractor for the project, stated that the company is trying to reach the 50% mark of Detroit workers, and he also added that the project is privately funded except for the parking garage.