Closing Bell: Walgreens Gets the Rat Treatment on Myrtle
Last week a rat popped up on Clinton Avenue. This week it’s Myrtle. The union boys are miffed that Walgreen’s (the store’s doing the work not the developer) is using “untrained and unskilled” workers (their words, not ours) to build out their new digs on the ground-floor of the Clermont Condominium at 375 Myrtle Avenue…
Last week a rat popped up on Clinton Avenue. This week it’s Myrtle. The union boys are miffed that Walgreen’s (the store’s doing the work not the developer) is using “untrained and unskilled” workers (their words, not ours) to build out their new digs on the ground-floor of the Clermont Condominium at 375 Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene. Just curious: What kind of permit does an organization need to get to display an inflatable animal in the middle of the street?
The Clermont Condominium Open For Business [Brownstoner] GMAP
I’m just saying I think the rat is effective political theatre. An immediately recognizable and simple message. Does the job really well. And has got to get under the skin of developers who skimp on labor. And customers who are pro-labor. I’m just saying it again.
It’s all the hedge fund fuckers that have streamed into Brooklyn. Cigar bar types. Fucktards and asshats all.
I am not suggesting that their rights to free speech should be diminished, however I just think it is stupid and hypocritical for them to bring out a huge rat to protest people working on a jobsite that is creating work.
Granted it is not Union work, but so what? Why is it soooo important to pay for Union labor? If the building is unsafe, the DOB will shut it down. If the site is unsafe, OSHA, the State, or other angencies will interviene.
I think of Unions as winey loosers trying to make every buisness play by their rules for their own selfish interests.
By all means, keep the rat. It always brings a smile to my face.
I am with 8:51 on this. There was some some union bashing on this site last week and I don’t get it either. Anyway,
I think the Union’s use of the rat is a good thing. It draws attention to contractors that don’t use union labor or pay prevailaing wages or area standards. It’s called free speech and while some of you think its silly or lame, it informs the public of their position. So what….
What’s the matter with you people? Either you are too hip and cool for your own good or you are a bunch of Republicans, but what’s with the union-bashing? Please educate me, because I don’t get it – I work on Wall Street (so not a communist for sure), but I am European (yes, that might make me a communist right there, please spare me) and I don’t get why it’s apparently cool in Brooklyn to bitch about the unions…
My kids loved it this morning on the way to school.
rehab – are you kidding? do you think alot of people take the rat seriously. I think it is funny, stupid, and hypocrtical all at the same time.
These Union Shlubs try to come off as the protector of the public from shoddy work and labor. But really they are protectionist commies looking to extort business for their own ranks’ best interest.
Do I really need an organization that spends the majority of their revenues on political contributions to “Protect” me?
the union boys are going back for seconds
Well said, 5:39.
I love the rat. Sends its message instantly, loudly, clearly, and has got to get under the skin of developers who skimp on labor. And customers who are pro-labor.
Mr. B raises a good question, though, about permitting (not to mention consuming a parking space). If I put that rat in my front yard, I’d get a ticket instantly from somebody or other, I’m sure. They probably get away with it because anybody with the authority to write a ticket is also a union member.
As they say on the Simpsons: Ha-ha!