Aubree's Draws Criticism from Electrical Union

With of an Aubree’s Pizzeria set to open this summer in Dexter, several members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 252 have begun picketing outside the former North Point restaurant, 8031 Main St.

Jim Burns, a resident of Lodi Township and protest organizer, said the union is frustrated that Aubree's owner Ron Evangelista sought outside contractors rather than local electricians for the restaurant’s remodeling.

"He did not hire anyone from the local building trades here to do his work except the sprinkler-fitters. We feel that he did not do his homework. As a businessman, you think you would want to feel out your own community and what you're moving into," Burns said.

"If I want to come here and have people patronize my store, you would think I would want to hire from within," he said. "I'm sure he's going to hire waitresses and bartenders from around here, so do it from the get-go."

Restaurant spokeswoman Tammy Fiddie said Burns’ protest is misleading.

“Aubree’s is known for hiring local and buying local,” she said. “Mr. Burns is misrepresenting the situation.”

Evangelista acknowledged that the company he employed for the electric work — J B Electrical Co. — is not local; however, he said Local 252 bid on the job and that its bid was not competitive.

“They did not meet the budget criteria,” he said. “We have a tight budget constraint, and they expected me to contact them, which is unethical and unfair to other contractors.”

Burns said many of the union’s members feel cheated.

“Does J B Electric out of Sterling Heights pay the standard wages for an electrician in this area?" Burns asked. "No, they don't. They don't have the pensions, benefits, training or apprenticeship programs that we do, either. So when you have offsetting bids like that, these are the reasons why we cannot compete with the nonunion element, especially when they are from out of town."

“All that money that they're going to earn at this job site is going right back to their own Detroit communities to pay for the infrastructure, police, fire and teacher salaries, Burns said. "None of that money stays in this community. The public needs to know that.” 

Evangelista said he is using several Dexter businesses for other remodeling jobs, including PPC Solutions, Doors & Drawers and Wolverine Moore Glass.

“We also plan on hiring Dexter residents for our staff, and we will be supporting local organizations in town such as the chamber, service clubs, schools and sports teams,” Evangelista said. “We want to welcome the community with open arms.” 

Steve Cattell, owner of PPC Solutions, said picketing the new business is “ridiculous.”

“My business has jobs all over the Midwest, but to have a job here in Dexter, when I have lived in Washtenaw County all my life, is great,” he said. “The picket misrepresents Aubree’s, and (the union’s) argument is simply not true.”

Cattell said it will be nice to have another moderately priced family diner in Dexter.

“I think people will enjoy it,” he said.

Aubree’s plans a late-summer opening.