Inflatable Rat Used In Labor Union Protest Outside Edison School

EDISON, NJ — On the first day of school, students at Lincoln Elementary in Edison were greeted by an unusual sight — a giant, inflatable rat.

The larger-than-life rodent was poised outside the school thanks to a local labor group, which is using the inflatable rat to protest a contractor's refusal to hire local workers. Scabby the Rat is a longtime symbol of labor protests across the county, typically showing up outside places where unions don't like the hiring practices.

LIUNA Local 77, a union representing construction workers in South and Central New Jersey, placed the inflatable rodent outside the school. Local 77 officials are currently in dispute with Pal-Pro Builders out of Garfield, New Jersey.

The Edison Board of Education has hired Pal-Pro Builders for construction work at Lincoln Elementary. When Local 77 reached out to Pal-Pro to discuss hiring from the local construction workforce, they were told only Macedonian or Serbian workers would be hired, alleges LIUNA.

“We believe that practices like this hurt the construction industry, hurt school districts and property owners who employ the likes of Pal-Pro, and call into question hiring practices and other potential workplace issues,” said Rob Lewandowski, Spokesperson, Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA).

As a union, Laborers Local 77 not just represent workers, but also works to set and protect workplace standards that “ensure contractors compete on a level-playing field,” said Lewandowski.

The spokesperson said the school district and the community should be “concerned.” A flyer distributed by the Union outside the school has a picture of Superintendent Bernard F. Bragen with his official email. The flyer requests residents to contact the Superintendent and ask him to "support contractors who hire local residents."

“Edison is a diverse community and residents pay a lot in taxes. I am sure they want to know that professionals hired by the school district conduct themselves professionally,” Lewandowski said.

“I also believe Edison residents want to know that should they or a family member apply for work at Pal-Pro, that they won't be denied opportunity because of the color of their skin, their place of birth, or any other irresponsible and unreasonable factor.”

Sinisha Spasovski, owner and manager at Pal-Pro did not wish to comment, when contacted by Patch.

School Board President Jerry Shi told Patch that the expansion project for the Lincoln school "went through the legally required open public bidding process," and by law, the school district is required to hire the lowest bidder.

"The Board Attorney reviewed all of the bids and found the Pal Pro Builder’s bid was the lowest valid bid and hence the contract was awarded," Shi said.

"In the request to bid document issued by the District, it was clearly stated the builder must pay prevailing wages. Neither the District nor the Superintendent are involved in selecting which workers should work for the builder."

Superintendent Bragen said he found it "ironic” that union leaders would label the district “anti-union” when in fact many employees are Union members.

“In addition, no representative from this union, or any other union for that matter, ever tried to meet with me or discuss anything prior to beginning this protest,” Bragen told Patch via email.

The Superintendent said it was inappropriate for the union to picket outside the school with a “scary-looking rat.”

“I find it appalling that they would put up this 15-foot inflatable, scary-looking rat on the day when we have 5 and 6-year-old children coming to our school for the very first time,” Bragen said.

“In light of the trauma many of our families experienced over the last 18 months during the COVID-19 Pandemic, I find this to be extremely inappropriate and insensitive to the needs of our most vulnerable community members.”

Bragen said Union members refused to move the inflatable rat off the main walkway. “I truly cannot understand this type of behavior as it related to the emotional safety and wellbeing of our children on the first day of school.”

Meanwhile, the Union said they will continue to fight unfair practices.

“Construction is a competitive business, and we will continue to fight against race-to-the-bottom practices wherever they occur, be it Edison, Englewood, Egg Harbor, Evesham, or any one of New Jersey's 565 municipalities,” Lewandowski said.

Thank you for reading. Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

Get breaking news alerts on your phone with our app. Download here. Sign up to get Patch emails so you don't miss out on local and statewide news.