Quakers reveal split on hiring nonunion contractor

By Jeff Gammage, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Posted: January 23, 2013

The Quaker meeting in Chestnut Hill, acknowledging that other Friends groups have "raised questions" about its decision to hire a nonunion builder, said the choice was based both on cost and on assurances that workers were treated fairly.

The Quakers concluded that the contractor, E. Allen Reeves Inc. of Abington, "had a record of good quality work and good treatment of workers," and construction of a new meetinghouse with a union builder "was not economically feasible."

Four days before Christmas, the building site suffered $500,000 in vandalism, including the arson of a crane, in what police said was the result of a dispute between union supporters and the nonunion contractor. The police investigation is continuing and no arrests have been made.

The Chestnut Hill meeting posted its statement on its website today. Meg Mitchell, clerk of the meeting, declined to answer additional questions about how the hiring decision was reached.

The vandals struck at night, using an acetylene torch, which requires a skilled operator wearing a special mask and gloves, to shear steel bolts from nearly a dozen columns.

"Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting stands in support of the ideals and achievements of the labor movement, which strongly resonated with our long-held beliefs in the equality of all and the right of all workers to a living wage and safe working conditions," the statement said.

During the internal debate, three members of the meeting were recorded as opposed or "standing aside," meaning they did not agree with the decision but did not believe they should stand in the way of the project.

"The meeting continues to move forward in joy with the construction of the new meetinghouse, even under the burden of the concerns of those who have stood aside in the choice of contractor and other decisions of the Meeting," the statement said.

Contact staff writer Jeff Gammage at 215-854-2415, jgammage@phillynews.com, or on Twitter @JeffGammage.

Index by Keyword
|
Index by Date
|
About Philly.com
|
Contact Us
|
Terms of Use & Privacy Statement
|
Copyright 2013