Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 23, 1993 TAG: 9302230297
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
UNIONS QUESTION HOTEL CONTRACTS
Even before work begins on renovating the Hotel Roanoke, the same criticism that plagued the Dominion Tower project has arisen.A union leader charged Monday that many of the subcontractors and most of the labor for the hotel project will come from outside of the Roanoke Valley.
"It's the same done deal as the tower," said C.W. Toney, business representative for the Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades, Local 891.
But J.M. Turner Inc., one of the general contractors for the hotel project, denied Toney's accusations.
James M. Turner Jr., chairman of the Roanoke Valley company, said no subcontractors have been hired.
Turner said the general contractors plan to hire as many local subcontractors and laborers as possible within cost constraints.
F.N. Thompson, Charlotte, N.C., is the other general contractor. Thompson was the general contractor for the Dominion Tower.
Although no subcontractors have been hired, Turner said bids have been sought on asbestos removal and selective demolition.
Turner said the general contractors are sensitive to the complaints about the out-of-town subcontractors and workers.
Toney's remarks came in an impromptu news conference after Monday's City Council meeting.
Toney, who also is president of the Southwestern Virginia Building Trades Council, attended the meeting, but did not speak.
John S. Williams, owner of a painting and remodeling business, did complain to council, however.
Williams said he has heard that local subcontractors and laborers might be excluded from the hotel project.
Since he made a request last week to be on council's agenda, Williams said he has received a copy of a letter by Councilman James Harvey asking City Manager Bob Herbert to arrange a meeting with all parties to ensure that local subcontractors and laborers are considered.
Harvey was absent Monday, but Councilman Howard Musser assured Williams that local subcontractors will have a chance to bid.
Herbert will meet this week with the general contractors, Virginia Tech officials and others to consider the issue.
Although Williams said he was encouraged by Harvey's letter, Toney said he thought it was "too little, too late."
Responding to reporters' questions, Toney said he fears that nonunion subcontractors, especially those that pay "substandard wages, with no pensions and no other fringe benefits," will be hired.
The issue of out-of-town contractors and workers was a main focus in last year's campaign for mayor.
Toney and other union leaders backed Mayor David Bowers, who said local subcontractors and workers should be considered for projects financed with city funds.