LU 688 pickets Bucyrus Coomunity Hospital for standard wages and benefits for workers there

Picketers protest at 2 hospitals

By Lisa Miller
Telegraph-Forum staff

Members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 688 say they picketed two Crawford County hospitals Monday because they want more money and benefits for a Galion company's employees.

The company's owner says the wages he pays are based on merit and he just wants to get the work done.

Lynda Wenzel, president of the union local, and three fellow electricians were holding signs as they stood in front of Bucyrus Community Hospital.

"They're paid under the prevailing wage," she said of the Carter Electric employees who are working on an expansion project at Galion Community Hospital and doing renovation work at the Bucyrus facility.

Union electricians make around $25 an hour, Wenzel said, charging that Carter's employees are paid less than that and should get better benefits.

"The work is so hard," she said, "Hard on the body" and workers need "to have something to retire with."

Local 688 represents about 200 electricians in seven counties, including Crawford and Richland. Skies were dark off and on throughout the morning, but Wenzel said the pickets would be in front of the hospital until about 1 p.m.

An electrician for 35 years, Fred Claus said the work has "been good to me. It's raised my family."

He has participated in pickets before, explaining, "I help out when I can."

A third-generation electrician, John Carter is the owner of the company started by his grandfather before World War II.

"Our wages that I pay my people are based on merit, which is ability," he said, explaining that an apprentice is paid a lower wage than a journeyman who has been on the job for years.

He has 12 employees who also receive health insurance benefits, paid holidays, paid vacations and drive company trucks.

Noting his company was awarded the hospital job through competitive bidding, Carter said, "We're very happy to be doing the job."

Asked why his company was targeted by the union, Carter said, "I don't know. They would rather have their people in there doing the job than us ... We have done the electrical work at the hospital for years and years and years and years. I think we've got a good reputation for doing quality work.

"I don't want any problem with them," Carter said. "They have their right to voice their opinion. We're doing the job. That's what we want to do."

Bucyrus Community Hospital spokesman Jay Scott said, "Bucyrus Community Hospital recognizes the rights of individuals and organizations to freely speak and demonstrate their feelings about issues. We appreciate the way the representatives of I.B.E.W. Local 688 are conducting themselves as they communicate their message.

"Because this is a matter between Local 688 and Carter Electric, Bucyrus Community Hospital will not answer any questions about the issue. While we hear and understand the message being communicated by this event, for your health the work on the renovation and expansion of Bucyrus Community Hospital will continue as planned."

lkmiller@nncogannett.com

419-563-9222