Union out to catch rats - By Lindsey Keilty, The Daily News, Canada
Union Local 83, along with a two-storey high inflated rat, picketed a non-unionized construction site on Barrington St. from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. yesterday. They want to send the message that a fair day’s pay is expected for a fair day’s work.
“The rat signifies non-union contractors that pay less than union wages and it’s been a symbol for unions for a long time,” Greer said. “We’re out here to support the non-union workers on this job site to try to get them increased pay.
“Developers and company owners want to keep their wages low to bolster their own profits ... it’s not right.”
Greer says unionized workers consistently make make 20 per cent more than non-unionized workers.
“Ironically, the wages I was making in the early 1980s are in some cases the same wages that people are making today, and in terms of inflation the standard of living for some people in the construction industry is actually going backward,” he said.