MOUNT GILEAD — Three labor unions — including two based in Mansfield — plan a demonstration Tuesday morning at a solar power construction site in northern Morrow County.
This demonstration will be staged by Laborers’ Local 1216, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 18 and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 688 “to bring attention to illegal and dangerous actions and the use of non-union labor by Sol Systems and Qcells in building the project.”
The protest from 6 a.m. to noon will be at the Blossom Solar Project job site southwest of Galion on Morrow County Road 31.
Leaders of Laborers Local 1216 and IBEW Local 688, both based in Mansfield, said the companies involved in the project had chosen not to employ local union workers.
“We are deeply concerned about Sol Systems’ choice to overlook our skilled local labor,” said Jeff Sellers, business manager for Laborers’ Local 1216. “This decision not only affects the workers, who are eager for employment, but also impacts the economic vitality of our community.”
Brian McPeek, business manager for IBEW Local 688, echoed the thoughts.
“We urge Sol Systems to recognize the value of investing in the local workforce, which can lead to a more sustainable and community-supported project,” McPeek said.
According to the company website, the 144-megawatt Blossom Solar Project is a $100 million investment in a photovoltaic solar facility.
“This project will diversify Ohio’s energy mix by providing affordable, locally sourced solar power and enhancing grid reliability,” the company website said. “Blossom Solar utilizes cutting-edge solar technology and is designed to have minimal impact on the local environment.”
The company website said construction began July 7 with its partner Q-Cells.
“Both of our organizations are proud that this project will bring well-paying jobs with benefits to Ohio residents. We have committed to staffing at least 70 percent of all positions with Ohio residents,” according to the Blossom Solar website.
Union leaders said they have tried for three years to secure agreements that would provide local workers for the project.
They said they are asking the companies to reverse their decisions and “sit down at the table with the representatives of skilled local construction professionals.”
The labor leaders said the companies’ decision denies local workers “good-paying jobs, family-sustaining healthcare, and retirement security.”
“The members of these three unions live in the area and spend their money supporting local businesses and the local economy,” the union leaders said. “We are calling on Sol Systems and Q-Cells to truly invest in this community by working with the local workers who have built this region for decades.”
The labor leaders said the proposed Ohio Three Trades Solar Agreement would ensure the project complies with industry standards for renewable energy construction, prioritizing worker safety, fair wages and community benefits.
“Sol Systems has chosen to ignore this framework,” union leaders said.
Union leaders also claimed there are problems at the site.
(Below is a letter to Sol Systems Inc. and Q-Cells officials by Jeff Sellers, business manager for Laborers Local 1216.)
According to the union, a worker driving onto the job site on July 23 nearly struck a demonstrator outside the project.
The union said a Morrow County sheriff’s deputy issued the driver a citation for reckless operation.
“According to the police report, this individual undertook such reckless action “…because he was annoyed,” the union said, claiming the driver is still employed by Q-Cells.
“We demand that Q-Cells North America take proactive steps to ensure that such incidents do not occur again. This includes conducting thorough investigations and ensuring accountability takes place among all its employees,” the union said.
(Below is a video issued by union leaders of a July 23 incident at the solar power construction site showing a protestor nearly being struck by a car entering the site.)