Inflatable Fat Cat Chokes Union Workers At Joliet Hotel Project

JOLIET, IL — Laborers' Local 75 inflated a giant fat cat that it says symbolizes the choking of union workers at the Joliet construction site for the Candlewoods Suites hotel off Interstate 80 and Houbolt Road

Members of Local 75 told Joliet Patch the target of Monday's picketing was D & J Masonry out of Wooddale. Local 75 says that D & J Masonry is paying substandard wages and benefits.

In addition to the inflatable fat cat along Houbolt Road, Local 75 put an inflatable Scabby the Rat along Rock Creek Boulevard.

Global Builders Inc. is the general contractor for the Candlewood Suites. The new hotel for Joliet is next to the Holiday Inn & Suites and the former Burger King property.

"They're not off on the right track," one member of Laborers Local told Joliet Patch.