A union's lawsuit against three local school districts that banned 21 of its roofers from their property for failing criminal background checks begs questions that make its stance seem idiotic, even threatening:
• Why do so many of its members have criminal records?
• What were their offenses?
• And why doesn't it put the safety of students first?
United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local No. 37 contends the background-check requirements of state Act 153 of 2014 don't apply because these roofers don't work directly with children. Barring them violates their constitutional rights, it claims.
The union is suing the Montour, North Allegheny and Fox Chapel school districts, seeking an injunction prohibiting such checks. Fox Chapel and Montour say they're following Act 153's requirements for district employees and subcontracted employees.
The union hasn't specified the crimes of these 21 roofers. But families no doubt are glad they were kept off school property. Act 153's purpose is to protect schoolchildren from potential criminal predators. And students and parents surely see districts erring on the side of background-check caution as laudable.
What those families no doubt find difficult to understand — even execrable — is a labor union putting members with criminal backgrounds ahead of their children's safety.
