Robert Tait at The Guardian reports a Union Representative is concerned about the safety of Workers who are rushing to repaint Washington, D.C.’s Reflecting Pool blue for President Donald Trump’s 250th celebration of the United States. International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) Business Development Director Herbert Zaldivar, who has visited the site as an observer, voiced his concern for the safety of the Non-Union Workers on the project, none of whom had been willing to talk to him: “They are afraid to touch the subject, although I will continue to come and try to have conversations with Workers. With this project, they are trying to rush on a timescale that is most likely to leave some liability with the contractor. The chemicals are hazardous. My concern is usually the level of risk when it’s rushed. Are Workers taking the rightful steps to protect themselves?” Zaldivar also told The Guardian he had questions about the no-bid contract that was given out by the Trump Administration as well: “This didn’t go through the right processes, I’m here to verify if the company is in compliance and following the right guidelines. It’s very rare that a job like this, which is a publicly funded contract, doesn’t go to a competitive bid.”

To Continue Reading This Labor News Report, Go To: Workers racing to turn reflecting pool blue for Trump may be at risk, union warns | Washington DC | The Guardian