Electrical Union Protests 'Sub Standard' Wages

Dozens of union protesters gathered on the lawn of a Whippany Road office in Morris Township on Thursday morning to protest a contract they said was awarded to a company that is paying non-union workers "sub standard" wages of $10 an hour to do the job, a union business agent said.

Mike Pulsinelli, business agent for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 102, said the standard wage for union employees is more than $40 an hour.

He said he talked with a superintendent involved with the project, which involves electrical work being done at an office for Aon.

The property is owned and managed by RXR. Pulsinelli said the construction project is managed by Structure Tone and Bender Electric is doing the electric work.

Messages were left with Bender, RXR and Structure Tone on Thursday morning.

Patrick R. Delle Cava, business manager for the union, said the union has 700 members out of work and the protest aimed to raise awareness about the situation with the project.

Morris Township Police Capt. Richard Ferrone said police were notified about the protest on Wednesday and kept a presence at the protest to keep the peace, ensuring people had the right to protest, while ensuring others could get to and from work safely.

Protesters huddled under tents when it started to rain.

"We're used to rain," Pulsinelli said. "We don't melt."