from Red Orbit
In response to an informational picket protesting the hiring practices for its local renovation, Wal-Mart, 3901 Harrison Ave., has released a list of Montana contractors hired for the job. Several Butte union members picketed the store this week, claiming it brought in a Texas firm to complete a large remodel and didn't bid jobs out to local workers.
"Our electrical work, plumbing, garage doors and security systems are all being installed by local, Montana companies that have been working in the Butte community for years," company spokesman Joshua Phair Sr. in Denver wrote in an e-mail. Those vendors are Sacry Electric of Whitehall, Acorn Plumbing of Billings, Overhead Door of Helena for garage door installation and Simplex Grinnell of Helena to install the security systems.
Another Wal-Mart spokes-man said the company did hire a Texas firm for the job, but encourages the use of local subcontractors whenever possible.
John Forkan, a local union representative who is participating in the picket, said the unions he works with aren't happy with Wal-Mart's response.
"I didn't hear anybody from Butte on that list (of contractors)," he said. "Every single one of those contractors they've hired are all non-union or out of town." The unions are also upset Wal-Mart didn't bid out the work, Forkan said. In an effort to gather more support from local contractors, the protestors are holding a chili feed at noon on Friday.
"We hope to get a lot of people out to come show their support for us," he said.
