Schools

Union Painters Protest Work at Brookside Place School

A small group of picketers gathered outside the flood-damaged school to oppose the district's use of non-union painters.

Work continued inside on Nov. 30, where crews began painting the interior of the flood-damaged building. Outside the building, a small group of union workers protested the district's decision to hire local painters for the job.

"We're here as an information line," said a member of Painters District Council 711.

The union worker, who said the group does not "talk to the press," refused to give his name. The group arrived at the school at about 7 a.m. to show their dissatisfaction with the Cranford School District's decision to use non-union painters.

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"The Cranford Board of Education has hired a local (Cranford), non-union paint company, to paint the interior of Brookside Place School as part of the process following Hurricane Irene," Superintendent of Schools Gayle Carrick said. "This paint company submitted the lowest job quote and the workers are being paid prevailing wages, as required by state law."

Carrick explained that the "union picketers are protesting the hiring of non-union painters and are exercising their right to free speech by displaying their protest signs and by confining their activities to the Cranford sidewalk, off of school district property."

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As the group of about six union members quietly walked with signs in front of the school, residents driving past the building stopped to ask them why they were protesting.

Brookside Place School remains closed to students. The school suffered from flood waters following Hurricane Irene. Students were temporarily relocated to Hillside Avenue School as work continued.

Earlier this month, carrick said the replacement of the electrical service took slightly longer due to the acquisition of all required parts and equipment. The electric has been run from the outside utility pole into the basement of the building. The district anticipates that electric will be restored to the building by mid-December. "In addition, all of the sheetrock has been installed on the interior classroom walls where it had been removed and the second coat of spackle has been spread and sanded," the superintendent explaned in a letter to community members two weeks ago.

Work is also progressing on the ceiling tiles, new lighting fixtures and bulbs. Carpentry work is also continuing and will include all new custom benches for the All-Purpose Room and in the outer kindergarten coat room area.

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