By Jessica Corbett, Editor
The opening of the new middle school was marred by the protests of bricklayers who did not get paid.
“They’re doing an info picket because the company that they work for did not pay their employee’s benefits,” Dr. Julie-Ann Fuchs, assistant superintendent of business, said.
“We have some [workers] who built this building, and their paychecks bounced in May, and we’re just trying to get this result so the workers get paid,” David Naprstek, of the bricklayers unit, said.
The bricklayers unit made it clear that they are not blaming Kaneland for this, but rather their company, KMC Masonry, which went bankrupt.
“We’re not involved. We just happen to own the property it takes place on,” Fuchs said.
“We’re not blaming the district or anything like that,” Naprstek said.
“[The protests] had no negative effect on us, and as long as they didn’t block the entrances or exits, we’re fine [with them],” Richard Burchell, middle school principal, said.