Carpenters Chastise Bank in Labor Dispute

A carpenters' union say a local bank has hired a construction company that does not meet area standards for wage and healthcare.

Members of the Empire State Regional Council of Carpenters protested in front of the  on Route 25A Wednesday with a banner that read "shame on" the bank and "labor dispute."

The workers said they couldn't discuss details but had a flier that said First National Bank of Long Island has hired a construction contractor, LJG Construction of Armonk, NY, to build a new bank location although it did not say the location of the new bank.

"LJG Construction does not meet area standards, inlcuding providing or fully paying for family healthcare and pension for all of its carpenter craft employees," the flier read.

It also said that the council "objects to substandard wage employers like LJG Construction working in the community. In our opinion, the community ends up paying the tab for employee health care and low wages tend to lower general community standards, thereby encouraging crime and other social ills."

Union Carpenters in the Empire Council earn between $22-37 per hour in addition to a comprehensive health and retirement package, according to its website.

The council also noted that it is not "promoting any work stoppages or refusal to deliver any goods or services."

The First National Bank of Long Island declined to comment.