By KIMBERLY ACEVEDO
"The law says that they can picket to inform the public about the use of non-union contractors," the developer David Shokrian of Sun America said. "That is their constitutional right. But not these other tactics."
Two suspects allegedly trespassed on the 26 W. Broadway construction site resulting in one arrest. James Haubert, a carpenter, was charged with second degree menacing, third degree criminal trespassing and criminal mischief on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 7:13 p.m.
A security guard at the site observed two suspects trespassing at the construction site and called police. According to Long Beach Police Sgt. John O'Toole, the guard observed the suspects allegedly using a hammer to cause damage to plumbing pipes. After the guard confronted the suspects, one of them allegedly swung the hammer but did not hit the guard. The guard was able to subdue one suspect but the other suspect fled the scene, police said.
Local 45 business representative Sal Antonucci denies that James Haubert is a member of local 45, while one witness said that Haubert admitted that he was part of local 45.
Problems first surfaced when Shokrian began using Center Interior, a non-union company, for carpentry work. Union members have been picketing the 10-story condominium tower since Dec. 17, citing several reasons including, non-union personnel and safety hazards.
"We are not leaving until the job is done correctly," said Shawn Larson, a local carpenter union 45 member .
Shokrian says the picketing union workers are trying to give the impression that they worked at the Broadway site but Shokrian said he never hired them. He also believes that they are picketing only because they are part of the union. By law, Shokrian said, some union members must be present on the job.
"I never told [local union 45] 'no, I don't want you, please go away," Shokrian said. "That is not the case."
In a separate incident, a summons for disorderly conduct was issued to Larson on Thursday, Jan.17.
Some residents attribute Larson's summons, not arrest, to the fact that his father is a Long Beach police officer. Police said that no 'courtesy or favoritism' was issued and that Larson's actions did not fall under the category of "assault" which would call for an arrest.
"I absolutely stand by the summons for disorderly conduct," Long Beach police commissioner John Laffey said. "That was the appropriate charge." Laffey said the summons issued to Larson was correct since he was disorderly but did not engage in criminal mischief.
According to Shokrian, Larson "jumped on the hood of my car like a bug." A Long Beach police officer, who witnessed the incident, reported that Larson proceeded to punch in the window on the driver's side of Shokrian's car and attempted to open the door.
A union representative said Larson was provoked prior to the incident, claiming Shokrian was photographing the protesters and anyone that stopped by the site. When Shokrian took a photo of Larson and his wife, a heated exchange ensued between the two men. The union rep also said that Shokrian bucked his car at Larson, forcing him to jump on the hood. He alleges further that Shokrian drove with Larson still on the car and stopped short causing Larson to roll off and suffer minor injury.
A Long Beach Medical Center spokesperson said Larson was treated and released for minor knee pain after an hour.
Fliers, calling Shokrian a "terrorist", decorate the streets and cars of Long Beach. Larson said the word "economic" is used before terrorist, albeit in smaller lettering. Shokrian says the word economic was so small "you couldn't read it with a magnifying glass." Members of union Local 45 deny knowing who is responsible for creating and distributing the flyers.
In what is labeled by Long Beach building inspector Scott Kemins as an "unfortunate accident" on the boardwalk, a bicyclist was struck on the head by a piece of metal while passing the construction site on Jan. 13. The bicyclist was treated at the Long Beach Medical Center for a minor laceration, Long Beach building inspector Scott Kemins said. He noted that Jan. 13 was a very windy day and the building department investigated the area and found no violations.
In a separate incident, Occupational Safety Hazard Administration (OSHA) has issued citations to the non-union company Center Interior on Jan. 13 for [safety or hazards].
A quick, viable solution doesn't seem likely. Shokrian says he has offered to hire half union and half non-union carpenters on the job.
"It's a sell out of the union," Antonucci said of the offer. "We would be cutting our own throat. [Shokrian's proposal] is not a viable solution." Antonucci said the offer was a bad deal for the union because they have signatory contractors. And Shokrian feels the union workers won't meet him half way. "It's their decision not to accept the compromise."
