Press Release: 2024-04-19

Union Carpenters Hold Rally at Polar Park

 

Ahead of the first pitch, carpenters rallied outside the Boston Red Sox AAA WooSox home game at Polar Park, in Worcester, MA, educating the public about the billions of tax dollars lost annually to Construction Industry Tax Fraud.

The $100+ million Polar Park first opened in 2021. The stadium was union-built and included a significant community benefits agreement. The agreement included responsible contractor and wage theft language; diversity goals for hiring; and tools to discourage and prevent repeat bad actors from bidding the job.

Members are extremely proud of the work they put in both during the planning stages and once construction work began. Polar Park is a wonderful example of the community improvement that happens when responsible contractors manage projects.

Once the announcement to “PLAY BALL” was made, carpenters moved the rally to The Cove, a mixed-use development overlooking the ballpark. Optiline Enterprises, a drywall subcontractor working onsite, has a long history of hiring second-tier subcontractors that engage in exploitation of workers, paying carpenters below the area standard, and engaging in tax and insurance fraud.

According to numerous reports received from workers on Optiline projects, the company repeatedly subcontracts out much of its work, often to labor brokers, who then supply the majority of the workforce. These workers are frequently paid under the table.

Carpenters Local 336 shed light on the issues of wage theft and how unscrupulous contractors deny honest contractors the chance to fairly compete for work. Owners, project managers and general contractors need to take responsibility for their sites and ensure that they hire honest contractors!