Demonstration greets students, teachers at Lake Zurich High School

A large blow-up rat and bright yellow sign protesting a roofing contract greeted Lake Zurich High School students and teachers Thursday morning at the school.

The sign reading "shame, shame, shame on you!" was set up at the parking lot entrance of the school at 300 Church St. and caused a traffic snarl. Several members from a local roofing union stood near the sign that also attracted police officers who kept an eye on the situation.

Members from United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local No. 11 would not talk about the protest but handed out a flier with a notice to area taxpayers. The flier explained that a $438,209 contract was awarded to National Roofing Corp. to work on the high school.

The flier stated the roofing company has numerous complaints alleging it violated the state's prevailing wage laws.

Superintendent Mike Egan sent an email to parents shortly after school started that explained details about the protest.

"The district recently received bids for a roofing project at LZHS to be completed over the summer. The lowest bidder was a nonunion company and they were awarded the work at the last board of education meeting. The protesters are here because a nonunion shop was approved. The school district is required by law to award the bid to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder," Egan said.

"Due diligence was performed on the part of the district, including reference checks, to determine that this company was a responsive and responsible bidder. Although the awarded company is nonunion, they are required by the law to pay prevailing wage to all workers."