Union leaders urge Wantagh schools to rescind RJ Painting contract, cite wage and insurance concerns

Union representatives and a resident urged the Wantagh Union Free School District Board of Education to withdraw a recently awarded cooperative bid for painting and repairs to RJ Painting Inc., saying the bid could not legally cover prevailing wages and that the company lacked required insurance and certifications. District officials said the bid had been reviewed and that further responses were forthcoming.

The complaint began during public comment when resident Joseph Petrone said parents in the community were “concerned about this R and J contractor” and raised worries about the contractor’s background and worker pay. Raymond Festa, representing District Council 9 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, told the board the award took effect July 1 and urged the board to “reverse course” because the bid was “below cost and legally noncompliant.” He said the…