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Protest at Whitney Elementary in Boise upsets students, principal says

But union officials say their picketers were courteous while objecting to wages and benefits for the project.

BY SANDRA FORESTER - sforester@idahostatesman.com

Published: 01/09/09


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Picketers created a commotion near Whitney Elementary School Thursday morning, upsetting parents and students, educators said.

Up to 50 Treasure Valley people connected to the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters protested the wages and health care benefits offered by the contractor building the new Whitney Elementary School on the back of the old school's property.

Educators said children walking to school were intimidated by the protesters who were chanting loudly and carrying signs, but a spokesman for the union said the picketers stopped and moved aside for the kids.

"My kids are scared," said Whitney Principal Jean Lovelace. "You can see it on their faces. I had parents who turned around and took their kids home today, and that's not good for education."

Max Murphy, a spokesman for the Council of Carpenters, said the union will continue random protests until the project is completed or a resolution is reached with the contractor or the district. The union has picketed St. Luke's medical centers in Boise and Meridian.

Murphy said his group isn't concerned whether workers are union or non-union, but is protesting low wages and minimal medical coverage.

Targeted contractors pay about $14 an hour compared with the area standard of $18.50 an hour, and offer health insurance with high deductibles in the thousands and extra fees to cover family members, putting health insurance out of reach for most of their workers, Murphy said.

Lovelace said Boise School District follows state law regarding construction projects and must use the contractor with the lowest bid.

But union representatives say the low-bid savings are off set by the costs of low-wage workers using public services.

"We're not doing the taxpayers any service," said Harry Tucker, the union's business representative. "It's really not saving taxpayers any money. It just creates a burden for the taxpayers."

Sandra Forester: 377-6464

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