Roofers vs. Landscapers

In a battle over contracts to build green roofs for Chicago's public buildings, landscapers have come out on top.

1 minute read

December 2, 2009, 10:00 AM PST

"The rulings 'hopefully will put an end to the roofers' efforts to claim the installation of vegetative green roof systems for its members,' said Ken Jenero, an employment lawyer at Holland & Knight who represents the Moore and Pedersen landscape companies.

But the controversy is far from settled, said Joe McDevitt, chairman of the Chicagoland Roofing Council, a group of union-affiliated contractor firms. He said there are several issues, including liability, that are important to building owners but are not addressed by the NLRB [National Labor Relations Board]'s rulings.

'If a leak in the roof develops after the landscaping is installed and it's not installed by a roofer, who does the owner turn to?' McDevitt said. 'It's one of many complicated issues involving green roofs.'"

FULL STORY: Green days for landscapers in roofing labor fight

Tuesday, December 1, 2009 in The Chicago Tribune

Environment Government / Politics Illinois Chicago Green Roofs

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