Prison labor stirs up a swarm of protest from local unions

WARREN -- The 11th District Court of Appeals has dismissed a case involving the use of prison labor to demolish an old Niles school building. An appeal, however, is still on the way.
The original case was filed in March 2004 by Atty. Dennis Haines of Youngstown, who represents Laborers International Union of North America Local 935 in Warren and 125 in Youngstown.
The taxpayers lawsuit was filed in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court on behalf of Ricky Rounds Jr. of St. John Street, Niles, and Thomas Dodrill of Woodglen Avenue, Niles. The men are members of Local 935 and are named because they are taxpayers in Niles.
School demolition
The original lawsuit sought to stop the use of prisoners from Ohio Penal Industries to demolish Edison Junior High School.
School officials contended that they have no control over which workers are used since the demolition project falls under the Ohio School Facilities Commission. The commission chose to use prison workers rather than put the project out for bid.
Judge Peter Kontos ruled against the laborers, who took the case to the appellate court.
Haines said Friday that the appellate court's ruling was based on a technicality and he will appeal against to the 11th District Court.
The appellate court dismissed the case because Judge Kontos has not signed a final order. That is because other issues associated with the case are pending before him, both Haines and the appellate court's opinion said.
Haines said he will file an appeal in the case once Judge Kontos issues his final order.