From the Courier-Journal:
The head of a social-services organization led a march into the restricted work area on the Sherman Minton Bridge on Thursday to protest what he believes is a lack of hiring from neighborhoods with high unemployment near the bridge. [I](If anyone knows anything about construction they know "safety-first" is the keyword, do not cross the barriers where the limits of construction take place unless dressed properly and have permission to do so...you're asking for trouble and putting your life and the lives of others in danger)[/I]
They have not hired people from the West End, said the Rev. Gerome Sutton, director of the Louisville African-American Think Tank.
In an interview before and during his protest march up the ramp to the Sherman Minton from 39th and Bank streets, Sutton said he has been trying since early November to make the bridge contractor, Louisville-based Hall Contracting, and Indiana and Kentucky state governments aware of unemployed peoples needs.
Sutton said a Hall vice president told me they don't have any jobs available.
But Sutton said he believes that with the $13.9 million repair contract requiring 12-hour shifts seven days a week, more jobs could have been provided to those who live so close to the bridge.
Tom Roberts Jr., a Hall Contracting vice president, said in a statement that the company is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. We are meeting, or exceeding, the minority hiring goals set forth in our contract with InDot for this project. He added, "I think it is important to note that Hall has been committed to completing this very difficult project as rapidly as possible from day one." Todays disruptions by a handful of individuals are not in the best interests of those commuters and/or resident of Louisville and New Albany.
A spokesman for the Indiana Department of Transportation didn't immediately respond to a phone call requesting comment.
Chuck Wolfe, public affairs director for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, said he and other cabinet employees have met with Sutton.
Wolfe said Sutton knows that Kentucky has contracted with Indiana for the management of Sherman Minton repairs and maintenance and has no authority over Hall's hiring. Hall must meet federal requirements for hiring minority and disadvantaged subcontractors and reporting on it, which Sutton referred to, Wolfe said. He hasn't seen the reports but they should be available to the public, Wolfe said.
Wolfe also said that he believes Sutton's goal, in protesting on the Sherman Minton, is to get attention for his concerns NOW so that minorities will be hired to work on the two bridges planned under the Ohio River Bridges Project.
"It's one of our goals to have a training component for Ohio River bridges construction, and to do even more than may be required to assure minority participation in the $2.6 billion project", Wolfe said.
Sutton and eight men, whom he identified as unemployed West End residents, walked up the approach to the Sherman Minton and reached the barriers beyond which Hall employees were working just before noon.
As Sutton and his group entered the work area, construction workers streamed off the bridge for their lunch break. After asking who was in charge, the group was directed to project manager Randy Downey.
We're looking for work, Sutton told Downey. [I](Watch the video, do you really think Sutton and company was looking for a job in the construction industry? Where's their work boots, hard hats, tool belts, fluorescent orange safety vests?)[/I]
After a few minutes of discussion, Downey asked Sutton and his group to leave the restricted work area and said that if they didn't, he would have to call the police.
Sutton told him to call police, which Downey did.
After about 30 minutes, a police car drove up to the work area from the Indiana side. But no arrests were made, and after a wait, Sutton and his group walked back down the Kentucky ramp.
"They wouldn't arrest us," Sutton said. But, he said, he believes he was able to attract attention for his concerns. He said his goal is to win a share of work on the Ohio River bridges for the unemployed in the West End and he offered to help manage a training program for the many people who have come to his office to get help finding a job. We will be back tomorrow at the Sherman Minton, Sutton said. [I](This guy wants to "manage" a training program for skilled construction workers????????).[/I]
The following is a link to the courier-journal report with video...
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/...=2012302090038
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