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MEDIA RELEASE JUNE 23, 2008 |
CONTACT:
JOSHUA SLAUGHTER |
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Identify Out Of State Laborers at Marshalls Job Site in Shirley
(Legislator Kate Browning (Center) stands with Supervisor Brian Foley (Right), local labor unions, and community members in front of the union rat and the Marshalls construction site in Shirley. Browning organized the rally to call on Marshalls to support local workers.) Shirley, NY-At the Southport Plaza Shopping Center in Shirley today, Legislator Kate Browning (WF-Shirley) organized a labor rally to fight for local jobs during hard economic times. Joining the rally was Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian Foley, members of Laborers Local 66, Carpenters Local 7, IBEW Local 25, U.A. Plumbers Local 200, Painter’s Local 1486, Teamsters Local 1205, CWA Local 1108, TWU Local 252, Sheet Metal Workers, and other labor organizations. As the economy continues to slow it has become more and more difficult for laborers and other skilled workers to find work in Suffolk County and across Long Island. It was discovered that Marshalls, a major chain on Long Island, hired out of state bricklayers to construct its new store in Shirley. There is a large amount of highly skilled tradesman in the local area surrounding the Southport Plaza Shopping Center, which left Legislator Browning and the various trade unions outraged at the cold shoulder given to the local community. “It’s a slap in the face to the hardworking men and women in Suffolk County who are struggling to find work during these tough economic times,” stated Browning. “Marshall’s claims to be a good neighbor, yet the very consumers they expect to shop in their store were completely neglected in this case.” Suffolk County is known for its strong union membership, and corporations should be utilizing these local workers when they are so readily available and desperate to find work. Marshall’s subcontracted the work to laborers in New Jersey. As a former union steward herself, Browning understands the importance of fighting the good fight for local workers. “Our skilled worker’s here in Suffolk County are the finest in the nation,” concluded Browning. “Marshall’s should be ashamed. We are here today to say this is unacceptable. If you want us to shop in your stores, you need to show our local tradesman the respect they deserve.” |
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