COLUMBUS, Ohio — Some local unions and workers are pushing back after more than seven months of negotiations with the out-of-state contractor, Hensel Phelps.
The construction company was hired for the $2 billion terminal renovation of John Glenn Columbus International Airport. Several people expressed their concerns Tuesday afternoon during the airport’s board meeting.
"It's a $2 billion investment into Columbus, Ohio. It's thousands of jobs, and there's a lot at stake,” Sara McEnery-Guice, a member of Laborers’ Local Union 423, said.
"We want local people building these projects,” Dorsey Hager, executive secretary treasurer for the Columbus Central Ohio Building and Construction Council, said.
Harger said Hensel Phelps wants to have the ability to bring in out-of-state contractors and workers for this project, instead of benefiting the trade workers local to Columbus and central Ohio. He said the company has also not been willing to sign a community benefits agreement, which would ensure fair wages and benefits for workers.
"We have a community benefits agreement on various projects in Franklin County. We don't understand why they're resisting this,” Nana Watson, president of the Columbus Chapter of the NAACP, said.
"It's not a union/non-union issue that they're making it out to. We're trying to make sure that every contractor pays a good, living wage with benefits so that everybody can get into the middle class,” Hager said.
Local groups are also working to ensure minorities will be allowed to work on this project, providing opportunities to people like Wayne Eaves, a Laborers’ Local Union 423 member, who said he’s lived in Columbus for nearly 40 years.
"Without the construction industry, I wouldn't be where I am today,” Eaves said.
Eaves said this project falls under the area he covers through his union.
"It's given me an opportunity to advance in life. Not only that but to be able to help my family and provide for my family,” Eaves said.
The groups will continue to call on the airport’s board members to implore Joe Nardone, president and CEO of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, and Hensel Phelps, to negotiate with the local building trades.
"We want to be a part of building Columbus' history. This is going to be a monument and an airport that's going to stand for years,” McEnery-Guice said.
"I hope that they realize that it's the right thing to do because it's been the right thing to do throughout Columbus and central Ohio,” Hager said.