Charges of unfair labor practices lodged with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Blu Homes of Vallejo, California by San Francisco’s Carpenters Union Local 180 have been mostly dismissed, according to ModularHomeCoach. When Blu moved to CA last fall from Massachusetts and renovated part of an old Naval base to produce their energy-efficient modular homes, they did not receive permits to renovate the bathrooms and temporarily installed portable facilities, which may have prompted 38 of the 45 employees to sign a petition in favor of union representation. Co-founders Maura McCarthy and Bill Haney have long supported unions. Haney, in fact, made a documentary in support of unionization among workers, and appeared in another film criticizing an energy company for destroying a miners’ union. The Local 180 filed 21 charges against Blu, including intimidation and firings for supporting the union. Blu has since remodeled the bathrooms, and having gauged employees discontent, management is not convinced the discontent is being driven by the workers. MHProNews.com has learned the NLRB will release its final findings within several days.
