ROSSFORD, Ohio — IEBW Local 8 members have been picketing outside of the former Rossford Lanes bowling alley over the new owners of the property hiring a non-union electrical contractor.
The owner of the property, Cody Ickes, said he chose Timber Creek Electric, LLC because it could begin work faster on the building.
Ickes claims that members of the union have been "stalking" the construction site for the last month and walked onto the property numerous times without permission.
"We have invested much money, time and effort into this project already in our first month," Ickes said in a statement sent to WTOL 11. "We would like to finish this project peacefully, but unfortunately with this situation going on, I’d be careful to ever reinvest in this town in the future."
The partnering owner of Timber Creek Electric, LLC, Allison Gift, released a statement:
As a Toledo small businesswoman of Native Indian heritage, I cannot begin to express my disappointment and pain the IBEW Local 8’s patriarchal behavior and irrational harassments have caused in the past two weeks. I cannot understand the hatred expressed toward my company, Timber Creek Electric, LLC. This is my hometown. I was born and raised right outside of Waterville. I went to Anthony Wayne and played sports with your families. I have no qualms with the unions and never have. My father was a lauded member of the brotherhood in the Toledo Carpenter’s union for many years. The union provided for my family when we needed it most. I applaud much of what the unions stand for. However, I will not be strong armed by IBEW Local 8 when I have done nothing but grow a small business that supports our community. Please. Read our reviews on Google. I love being able to give back with our Contracting Crews’ expertise when people need it most. My employees ARE my family and I hate they had been involved in Local 8’s slander campaign. I treat them with the upmost respect and provide for them in every way they need (including a starting wage higher than the Union’s wage scale, much higher). This community raised me, and the unions helped with that. So IBEW Local 8 I ask you directly… REMOVE the target from my company’s back and let reason prevail. Everyone in this community can build Toledo and surrounding areas together. Let’s improve our city. Local 8, stop tearing it down and making a mess over old, egotistical social practices.
The union sent a letter to its members with instructions on peaceful picketing. The guidelines said that picketing should only happen while the other contractor is onsite which on Monday, they were not, according to Ickes.
IBEW Local 8 has not yet responded to a request for comment.
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