BARNEGAT: Last week OCSN shared a picture of the giant inflatable rat protesting outside the Barnegat Town Hall. Traditionally the rat means a construction site isn’t using Union labor, and it shows up. Our good friend Stephanie Faughnan at Tap Into Barnegat/Waretown shares her additional findings to Scabby the Rat.

BARNEGAT (Tap Into): Scabby the Rat is on the job at Barnegat Town Hall, protesting a contract awarded to RL Concrete, Inc. for construction on the new municipal complex. A flyer handed out on the site claims the contractor has prevailing wage violations and encourages residents to call Mayor Al Bille to support contractors who “hire local residents and provide fair wages and benefits.” Bille referred the matter to the Township Attorney Christopher Dasti — but added his own comment concerning his support of unions. “I am retired from the post office for 18 years,” said Bille. “I continue to pay my dues to remain in the union.”

According to Dasti, the township complies with all state public contract laws. “We are required to award the contract to the lowest bidder that meets the criteria for doing the job,” said Dasti. “Contractors are expected to pay the prevailing rates.” Dasti also suggested that the union should not be picketing at town hall – but at the offices of Frankoski Construction Co., Inc., the general contractor on the job.

This is a breaking story. TAPintoBarnegat/Waretown is waiting to hear back from  LIUNA Local 77, the laborer’s union that erected the rat in protest.

Original Story Here–> https://www.tapinto.net/towns/barnegat-slash-waretown/sections/government/articles/giant-inflatable-rat-signals-union-protest-on-new-town-hall-job-site?fbclid=IwAR2iwwcbWSQ7Ss7-JlJGfawImI9R56GjRZryPjD2xThVr_WdegE64s3790I