Use Union Carpenters
Tell EMU,
EMU PRIVATIZES STUDENT HOUSING!
Last year, Eastern Mich. University Administrators decided to privatize student housing, leasing its housing operations to a private company, Gilbane, for 35 years. This move caused controversy on campus, leading faculty to call for a vote of no confidence in EMU's President and Chief of Staff.
Now, Gilbane is poised to violate longstanding campus practice by using non-union carpenters to build EMU student housing.
Read on to learn why using union carpenters is good for EMU, good for our community, and the right thing to do.
More at:
Read the Open Letter to EMU President James Smith:
We, the undersigned, are writing today to urge you to ensure that the Eastern Michigan University student housing projects currently under development by Gilbane are built using union carpenters. Doing so will mean that the housing is built with the highest standards for quality and safe construction. This will not only show students at EMU that the university values quality workmanship when it comes to their on-campus homes but also allows EMU to live its values by upholding its vision of having a positive community impact and striving for excellence in the construction of the housing.
By using union carpenters, you demonstrate that you value workers who have gone through extensive training, who are paid area standard wages and good benefits reflecting their hard-earned skill, and who are much more likely to be active members of our local community. Together, union carpenters and their contractors are leading the way in providing training and opportunities to people from underrepresented populations so they can join an industry and experience the benefits of working in construction. And because they are well-trained and dedicated professionals, using union carpenters is the surest way to have your projects delivered on time and on budget.
As you tout in your list of accomplishments as University President: “During President Smith’s tenure, agreements have been reached with all labor partners, with no interruption or disruption in service. Strong labor-management relationships have been crucial to the success of Eastern’s financial turnaround plan.” We know from this that you understand why it is crucial to have good labor-management relationships with the working people who make EMU a great place to learn and grow, as well as the sustainable value labor brings to the table.
We ask that you continue to foster positive labor relationships, deliver quality workmanship on the construction of the student housing projects and ensure union carpenters are used on this project.
Signed,
Jeff Irwin
Jeff Irwin
State Senator
18th District
Ronnie Peterson
Ronnie Peterson
State Representative
54th District
Donna Lasinski
Donna Lasinski
House Minority Leader
52nd District
Felicia Brabec
Felicia Brabec
State Representative
55th District
Yousef Rabhi
Yousef Rabhi
House Minority Floor Leader - 53rd District
Caroline Sanders
Caroline Sanders
Washtenaw County Commissioner - District 4
Jason Morgan
Jason Morgan
Washtenaw County Commissioner - District 8
Justin Hodge
Justin Hodge
Washtenaw County Commissioner - District 5
Ricky Jefferson
Ricky Jefferson
Washtenaw County Commissioner - District 6
Andy LaBarre
Andy LaBarre
Washtenaw County Commissioner - District 7
Katie Scott
Katie Scott
Washtenaw County Commissioner - District 9
Sue Shink
Sue Shink
Washtenaw County Commissioner - District 2
Jason MAciejewski
Jason Maciejewski
Washtenaw County Commissioner - District 1
Lois Richardson
Lois Richardson
Ypsilanti Mayor
Nicole Brown
Nicole Brown
Ypsilanti Mayor Pro-Tem
Brian Jones-Chance
Brian Jones-Chance
Ypsilanti City Council - Ward 1
Jennifer Symanns
Jennifer Symanns
Ypsilanti City Council - Ward 2
Steve Wilcoxen
Steve Wilcoxen
Ypsilanti City Council - Ward 2
Evan Sweet
Evan Sweet
Ypsilanti City Council - Ward3
Annie Somerville
Annie Somerville
Ypsilanti City Council - Ward 3
Jimmie Wilson Jr.
Jimmie Wilson Jr.
Ypsilanti Township Trustee
Why use union carpenters?
From foundation to finish, union carpenters are involved in every phase of construction. Union carpenters make sure structures are plumb, level, and square, and that building are constructed to the highest quality and safety standards.
Because they are well trained and paid fairly, you can count on union carpenters to deliver long-lasting projects on time and on budget.
Union carpenters and their contractor partners have invested more than $60 million in private funds to provide apprenticeship opportunities to the next generation of skilled tradespeople in Michigan.
Recruiting more people to the trades from all backgrounds is key to Michigan's ability to grow our economy.
Hiring union contractors means you can trust workers are not just well trained and safe, but also fairly paid with benefits so they can support their families and be active members in their communities.
Union Carpenters have a rich legacy of giving back, donating their time, skilled, and financial support to community and charity organization.
Make your voice heard
Let President Smith know you support using union carpenters to build student housing projects.
Paid for by theMichigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights