An organization that works to protect students and faculty on college campuses had strong words to say about a company that services Ohio University.
Claypool Electric Inc., a design and construction company, is “putting student safety at risk,” said Rob Dorans, legal counsel for Affiliated Construction Trades Council, or ACT Ohio, a supporter of the advocacy group Safe Campus Info.
“We’re (drawing) attention to problems Claypool Electric has had in the past.”
According to a flier Safe Campus Info passed out to students on College Green, Claypool has been cited for 10 Occupational Safety and Health Administration violations, seven of which were classified as serious. The two violations that are cited in Athens are both listed as serious.
All 10 violations were filed between 2003 and May 2013, according to records from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a branch of the U.S. Department of Labor.
The flier goes on to claim that the company has numerous lawsuits filed against it by customers and employees, and owed employees more than $30,000 in back pay.
“When hiring contractors, OU follows all state bid laws, awards contracts in a manner consistent with state regulations, and considers the specific needs of each project,” said Katie Quaranta, OU’s spokeswoman. “The university has procedures in place to monitor all contractors and would take action if they did not adhere to state laws and regulatory requirements.”
Harry Wyatt, associate vice president for Facilities, did not return The Post’s emails or calls regarding Claypool Electric specifically.
Safe Campus Info also claims that the National Labor Relations Board shows charges against Claypool Electric for coercive statements, such as threats and empty promises of benefits, coercive action and rules, interrogation of employees and changes in terms and condition of employment.
In an attempt to abolish the university’s use of Claypool Electric, Safe Campus Info offers an online petition in support of a different choice in construction contractor for the university.
“500 concerned members of the Athens and OU community have signed our petition asking that the school hire only quality construction contractors which help create a safe campus and a better learning environment,” Dorans said in an email.
He added that Safe Campus Info does not have a specific number of signatures it is shooting for; it just wants the university to listen to its students.
As far as the next step goes, Safe Campus Info is “accepting petitions for the time being and we’ll go from there,” Dorans said.
Officials from Claypool Electric could not be reached for comment by press time.
kf398711@ohiou.edu
@KellyPFisher
