Workers protest U.S. 231 construction

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Union workers are out in West Lafayette protesting construction of the U.S. 231 extension. Members of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 103 are protesting because they said out-of-state workers were hired for the construction of the U.S. 231 extension.

Workers are also picketing near the Purdue Airport and State Road 26 in West Lafayette at the construction site of the 45 million dollar Major Moves Project. Local 103 Spokesperson Michael Hibbs said this labor dispute stems from Michigan-based contractor DJ McQuestion and Sons hiring workers from Michigan instead of Indiana.

"This is in their state this is their backyard. And, Michigan workers (are) coming down here earning wages and taking them back to Michigan. These guys could use the work. And, that was part of the Governor's Major Moves initiative to have Indiana workers do this work," he said.

INDOT spokesperson Debbie Calder said INDOT cannot force a contractor to sign an agreement with a Union. She said DJ McQuestion and Sons was the lowest bid and were awarded the contract.

The workers have been protesting since Monday, and said they will stay there as long as it takes to get attention to their cause.

A phone call to DJ McQuestion and Sons was not immediately returned.