Union Staging Ongoing Protest at Bank Branch in Vernon

VERNON, CT — For about three weeks now, members of a labor union — the New England Regional Council of Carpenters — have been camping out early in the day in front of United Bank's Vernon Circle branch to protest a subcontractor involved with work at the bank's new Downtown Hartford branch and headquarters.

The sign has been on the sidewalk close to the branch's 6 Pitkin Road driveway. The headquarters are at 220 Asylum St. in Hartford and the branch is located at No 151 down the road.

The target of the protest is work being performed by Agawam, MA-based Champagne Drywall, which has been cited in the past by state authorities for its insurance practices.

When asked about the use of the company as a subcontractor, Adam J. Jeamel, United Bank's senior vice president of corporate communications and eastern Connecticut regional president, politely declined comment.

The New England Regional Council of Carpenters represents 22,000 carpenters, pile drivers, shop and mill workers and floor-covering workers throughout New England.

Photo Credit: Chris Dehnel

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