Always classy - Philadelphia Unions
From the
Philadelphia Inquirer:
Phila. police tie construction-site arson to union sabotage
The site where Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting is building a new meetinghouse was damaged by arsonists during Christmas week, and police are now "absolutely" sure the attack was the result of a dispute between members of a Philadelphia construction union and the project's nonunion contractor.
Although no suspects have been identified in the Dec. 21 incident, Lt. George McClay of Northwest Detectives said Friday that he was certain the small Quaker building on East Mermaid Lane was targeted because it is being built with nonunion labor.
"I absolutely think it is a union issue," McClay said.
If union members were involved, the attack would be the second violent incident in Philadelphia this year related to the use of nonunion construction workers. This spring, union protesters clashed with nonunion workers renovating the former Goldtex factory tower at 12th and Wood Streets for Post Bros., an apartment developer.
Unlike that high-profile development, the meetinghouse is a modest undertaking. The total cost for the building, which will include a work by the nationally recognized light artist James Turrell, is expected to run just over $6 million. Of that, about $3.5 million is being spent on construction.
Police nevertheless believe that it is unlikely that a random vandal carried out the attack on the Chestnut Hill site, where the steel outline of the future meetinghouse is visible. The vandals used an acetylene torch, which requires a skilled operator who must wear a special mask and gloves.
What kind of self-centered moron burns down a Church? Unions had their day but business changed and they did not change their business model. Time to either adapt (which some Unions are doing) or die which the Philadelphia branch of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers should contemplate.
And BTW -- if you ever get a chance to see any of
James Turrell's work, make a point to do so -- it is
incredible.
Posted by DaveH at December 29, 2012 12:18 PM