Union protests builder of Niles Dunkin Donuts

Staff REPORT

BOARDMAN — Patrons of the Market Street Dunkin Donuts were greeted with more than just the aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans Wednesday morning.

Three representatives of the Ohio and Vicinity Regional Council of Carpenters stood outside the store in the drizzling rain holding a wide banner that read, “Shame on Dunkin Donuts.”

A labor dispute between the council and Dunkin Donuts, which reportedly began back in March, caused the representatives to stake a claim in the parking lot.

Tony DiTammaso, a member of the council and one of the protesters, Dunkin Donuts hired Veon Construction, of West Middlesex, Pa., to build a new store on Niles-Cortland Road in Niles. According to the council, Veon employs nonunion tradesmen as part of its building crews.

“I’m a little confused as to why they are there,” said one of the Market Street store owners, who declined to be identified. “We have no part in who is hired or is involved in the building of the store. It’s a little frustrating.”

Bryce Veon, president of Veon Construction, said that he had no knowledge of the protest and that his company employs union workers, including on the Dunkin Donuts job.