SUBURBAN SNOW PLOW DRIVERS STRIKE (non-union haven't been paid all season some up to $30,000)

[Omaha Steve]

http://abc7chicago.com/news/suburban-snow-plow-drivers-strike/574989/

Thursday, March 26, 2015 06:28PM

LAKE IN THE HILLS, Ill. (WLS) -- Subcontractors who plow the snow in several suburbs are on strike. They said the management company that hired them has not paid them this season.

The subcontractors are not in a union, but say they are united in this cause. After working all winter to clear snow, they say a company owned by Mark Krog refused to pay them. Tony Figueroa, who is married with four kids, said he's owed $14,000.

Shortly after the demonstration began, Krog called police to make sure they stayed off his property. Krog said he has not paid the sub-contractors because of various claims of property damage, falsified time records and no shows.

Emanuel Perez denies those claims. He said Krog owes him more than $30,000.

FULL story and video at link.

[nichomachus]

1. Well at least they didn't have to pay dues to some stinky union

They have the "right to work," but apparently not the right to be paid.

[pasto76]

2. exactly. They sure love the union method now dont they!

but Im a true union guy, and a true working man. Its a shame that they are not getting paid. Screwing a working class person out of wages deserves a special place in hell.

In reality, they walked off their jobs. which puts them behind the eight ball. They will need to take this to court to get paid.

Since they arent union, they dont have a mechanism in place to protect them against the company owners claim. Like a steward who records work hours as back up, and to make sure the employer is paying the right amount into the benefits.

[magical thyme]

3. Did they contact their state labor department?

Because a crappy local employer withheld my last week's pay here in Maine, he got one 2nd chance and then I called the state labor depart. They were all over him like a duck on a june bug. It dawned on me that the *one* time this state doesn't come down on the side of a business owner is when it means lost revenue for the state...

[Omaha Steve]

5. "The subcontractors are not in a union"

They are contractors, not employees. Court is the only option. But there might be a state law that covers this or in the master contract with the townships etc.

[hatrack]

4. Gosh, if only there were some way they could work together, to organize for better pay . . . .

But how??

[brush]

6. I feel for them and hope they get their money

Last edited Fri Mar 27, 2015, 02:04 PM - Edit history (1)

But winter is over and now they strike?

What's that phrase . . . the horse is already out of the barn . . . something like that?

Hope now they realize the value of unionizing and get a union established.