Union protests alleged violations of workplace standards at $67M development in CT city

A union with tens of thousands of members in Connecticut and six other states protested outside a high-profile apartment construction project in downtown Hartford Monday, arguing three contractors hired by the developer violated on-the-job requirements.

Spinnaker Real Estate Partners of South Norwalk, which is converting the office building at 55 Elm St. on Pulaski Circle into 160 apartments, was the target of the protest by the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. The first of the apartments in the $67 million project are now leasing, according to signs hanging on construction fencing circling the property.

The union pointed to a Feb. 1 “stop work” order from the state Department of Labor after the agency found that three contractors — L&M Drywall, Buddy’s Construction and AGM Painting and Home Improvements, all of Waterbury — allegedly violated worker compensation coverage requirements, improperly classifying employees as independent contractors or both.

“There was no workers comp or not enough workers comp, and all for what?,” Miguel Fuentes, a union representative, said, outside the building Monday that is opposite Bushnell Park. “To maximize profit? And you’re going to undercut any legitimate contractor’s ability to compete, when the person who’s here isn’t paying the burden, not hiring area residents, not giving their employees health care, not paying into family medical leave, nothing that helps keep our community — our society — intact?”

Fuentes also said the redevelopment of the former offices of the state Attorney General and others has received $13.5 million in state-taxpayer backed loans from the Capital Region Development Authority plus additional tax breaks from the city.

According to the state Department of Labor, all three contractors were ordered to pay these civil fines:

• AGM Painting was ordered to pay $52,350 for failing to meet required coverage and materially understating or concealing payroll. Fine is being paid off in three monthly installments
• L&M Drywall was ordered to pay $1,800 for improper classification as independent contractors and improper maintaining of employee records. Fine has been paid.
• Buddy’s Construction was ordered to pay $1,500 for improper classification as independent contractors and failing to meet required coverage. Fine has been paid.

In a statement Monday, Spinnaker said a routine inspection by the labor department on Feb. 1 found “certain subcontracting firms were not able to immediately provide the paperwork requested of them” and the stop work order was issued. As of Feb. 6 and Feb. 8, the paperwork was produced and the order was released, according to Spinnaker’s statement.

In the statement, Spinnaker praised the efforts of the state to ensure workplace regulations are maintained. The developer said “although today’s messaging is misleading” Spinnaker appreciates the carpenter union’s diligence pushing to ensure workplace requirements are met.

“We look forward to the prospect of continued collaborations with them,” the statement said.

AGM Painting and Buddy’s Construction couldn’t be reached for comment. L&M said it has returned to work at the project.

Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com.