Carpenters Union in Labor Dispute with Ross Dress for Less

Updated at 11:42 with information on other Ross Dress for Less locations being protested. 

A Ballwin business that has not opened yet is already encountering opposition. 

Ross Dress for Less, which is currently being built in Ballwin's Central Plaza mall, is facing a protest by the Carpenters Union.

"Shame on Ross Dress for Less for contributing to the erosion of area standards," reads a flyer that union members are handing out along Manchester Road, in front of the future business. "A non-area standard contractor is performing construction work on the Ross Dress for Less in the St. Louis area."

The flyer states that the contractor, Kenrick Construction, is not paying its employees standard wages nor making payments for family health or pension benefits. 

"In our opinion, communities suffer when contractors fail to pay area standard wages and benefits," reads the flyer. "We believe that Ross Dress for Less has a moral obligation to allow only contractors who pay area standards to all carpenter craft workers on all projects the privilege to work on the Ross Dress for Less projects."

Ross Dress For Less did not return a call for comments. A person who answered the phone at Kenrick Construction said she did not wish to make any comments. 

"That’s their accusation," said the person, who did not reveal her name.  "They can say whatever they want. I am not going to comment on that."

The union is protesting other Ross Dress for Less locations,

"We're just trying to keep money in the local economy," . "We'll be out here however long it takes to get a response."

Ross Dress for Less, a California-based company, also has locations in Chesterfield and Fairview Heights. The union will be holding protest at all locations.

contributed to this story.