Roofers, landscapers in a turf war over Chicago's green roofs [View All]

[Omaha Steve]

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2009/10/roofers-landscapers-in-a-turf-war-over-chicagos-green-roofs.html

October 23, 2009

By Ameet Sachdev Tribune reporter

October 23, 2009

Rooftop gardens, like the one atop Chicago's City Hall, have roofers green with envy.

They want more of the work that is being done by commercial landscapers in the booming market to install green roofs on public and commercial buildings in the Chicago area. But the landscapers are standing their ground.

The turf battle pits the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers, Local No. 11 against Teamsters, Local 703, and the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150.

In a case involving a South Loop development, the unions took their dispute to the National Labor Relations Board. Last month, the board ruled in favor of Moore Landscapes Inc. of Northbrook and its employees who are represented by the Teamsters and Operating Engineers.

"We want to protect what we have historically done," said Thomas Stiede, secretary treasurer of Teamsters Local 703. "There is a science behind these roofs, and our people are better trained and have more experience in all those things."

Roofers say they have experience with all types of systems, including green roofs, whereas a landscaper is just taught how to maintain vegetation and plants.

"The NLRB will always award the work to whom the employer prefers," said Librado Arreola, a lawyer representing Roofers Local 11. "It doesn't matter which trade is more qualified or has more experience."

FULL story at link.