An estimated 250 affiliated members of the ClevelandBuilding Trades demonstrated outside a new area Menards store, informing thepublic about the home improvement chain’s refusal to allow local unioncontractors to work on the project.

The demonstration, which was organized by theCleveland Building and Construction Trades Council, was held on a cold andrainy May 4 morning, as members braved the weather to peacefully demonstrateand voice their displeasure over their signatory contractors not getting thechance to bid on the project.

“I was very proud of all our members who came out todemonstrate against Menards,” said Cleveland Building and Construction TradesCouncil Executive Secretary Dave Wondolowski. “I do not remember the last timeI have seen a crowd that big at this type of event. It was quite exhilarating.”

During the demonstration, anumber of drivers who appeared to be turning into the Menards parking lot changedtheir mind after seeing the building trades members demonstrating alongBrookpark Road.

Instead of hiring highly skilled and highly trainedlocal tradesmen and tradeswomen, Menards used out-of-state contractors andworkers to construct their Brooklyn store location.

First-year IBEW Local 38 apprentice David Gelo, wasamong the 250 members at the demonstration. Wondolowski said Gelo, 20, fromMayfield Heights, was full of union spirit and determination.

“I was moved by how many Brothers and Sisters werethere,” said Gelo. “They are a dedicated group of people and seeing them allthere motivated me.”

This was Gelo’s first demonstration and he called it alearning experience.

“One thing I took away from this experience is thatthis is something all younger members must learn to do and pass it onto thenext generation,” he said.

Another Menards store is currently under constructionin Mentor and the chain spurned local labor on this project as well.Wondolowski said once the Mentor store opens, building trades members should beprepared to demonstrate in Lake County.