Concrete Workers Strike at Ava DoBro, Brooklyn's Tallest Tower

#UnionCarpenters on strike @ 100 Willoughby St in Brooklyn pic.twitter.com/KYsqnyUT8f

— NYC Carpenters (@CarpentersNyc) July 1, 2015

Concrete workers belonging to the New York City District Council of Carpenters went on strike today at roughly 30 sites around the city, including Brooklyn’s nearly complete Ava DoBro at 100 Willoughby Street and the future Pod Hotel at 626 Driggs Avenue.

The Council is protesting what they say is an unfair contract proposed by the Cement League, a group of contractors who hire Council workers to build the concrete skeletons of high-rise structures. These two Brooklyn buildings got caught in the middle.

Brownstoner reached Elizabeth McKenna, a spokesperson for the NYC District Council of Carpenters, by phone. McKenna said that the Cement League was not sensitive to the Council’s needs, even after being offered a 25 percent decrease in Council wages.

“They wanted to play the how-low-can-you-go game,” McKenna said. “And we’re just trying to protect our workers. No one wants a 25 percent pay cut, but we were willing to give that concession. And the League walked away.”

A representative of the Cement League could not be reached immediately.

Photo of Ava DoBro at 100 Willoughby Avenue, taken in early June

Depending on how long the strike lasts, other large construction sites nearing the concrete-pouring stage and lacking contracts that stipulate workers cannot strike, could be affected.

Ava DoBro Coverage [Brownstoner]
Construction Stops at About 30 Sites as Union Concrete Workers Strike [Crain’s]

Concrete Workers strike at 217 W 57th Street in Manhattan. Image courtesy of @CarpentersNyc

Concrete Workers strike at 217 W 57th Street in Manhattan. Image courtesy of @CarpentersNyc

Rendering of the Pod Hotel at 626 Driggs Avenue