Nonunion carpenters at project prompt protest.
By: Jennifer Potash
Members of a local carpenters’ union picketed outside the Bank of America branch at the corner of Nassau and Witherspoon streets on Wednesday and Thursday.
The union carpenters declined to discuss the reason for the job action and referred questions to Ridgeley G. Hutchinson, the business representative of Capitol Regional Council of Carpenters Local Union No. 781.
The union members’ placards charged that Baxter Construction does not employ union workers.
Mr. Hutchinson said a meeting between the union and Baxter Construction has been set for early next week.
"I’m optimistic," he said.
Jim Baxter president of Baxter Construction, which has offices on Nassau Street, said he typically hires his own carpenters but is willing to meet with the union.
"I’ll hear them out," he said.

