'If You See A Union Inflatable Rat Outside City Hall This Weekend, I Want To Explain Why'

BRAIDWOOD, IL — One of the most talked events anywhere in Will County is when the giant inflatable known as Scabby is displayed outside a new construction site. It's often because a company or building contractor decides it's better to hire cheaper non-union labor, to the angst of the Will County and Joliet area organized union labor groups.

But now, apparently, Scabby is expected to be on display along Main Street in downtown Braidwood. Where? The Braidwood City Hall.

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According to the city of Braidwood Facebook announcement, "If you see a union inflatable 'rat' outside City Hall this weekend, I want to explain why. The City has been negotiating with Teamsters Local 179 in an effort to provide a union employee with a well-deserved raise after her job responsibilities significantly increased. The full City Council unanimously agreed that this increase was warranted. Unfortunately, the union disagrees with the City's position."

These days, former Braidwood and Wilmington police chief Todd Lyons is the mayor of Braidwood and Braidwood City Hall's top official is Steve Gulden, city consultant manager.

"Braidwood has always been a union-friendly community, and we continue to support union labor," the city shared to its Facebook followers. "We are currently investing in our community through numerous projects being completed by union contractors ... It is disappointing that an inflatable rat is being displayed at City Hall while the City is trying to fairly compensate one of its own union employees. From the City's perspective, we have been working in good faith to recognize the increased responsibilities of this position."

Not one single person reading the Braidwood City Hall Facebook page posted a comment in response to the city's announcement. That's because they could not. Braidwood disabled all the comments for this particular Facebook post.