Construction work stoppage taking toll on local businesses
(WJBK) - The work stoppage is putting some local businesses in jeopardy after crews walked off the job, bringing some of the biggest construction projects in the state to a screeching halt.
All the orange in the road has those trying to make a living at the corner of Sibley and Racho roads in southern Wayne County seeing red.
"We don't know what to do. I mean, they closed it. They are gone," said Zahaa Kalasho, owner of Mitch's Food Market.
Michigan road projects could stall as union is locked out
The intersection right outside the front door of his store is closed. In 7 years, he says construction projects come and go. This one came and no one is sure when it will go.
"For something that should be two months project, it could take two years because of what's happening," he said.
Some construction workers across the state have been working without a contract since June and there has been a labor dispute since Labor Day. Projects like this one were put on hold, leaving things in disarray in more ways than one.
At a store that typically works because of its location right off 75, Kalasho says he's lost half his business since the dispute.
"We are 7 families living because of that business, between owners and employees. "
He says he's called just about everybody from local officials to state and U.S. lawmakers, but knows he's at the mercy of the union right now. Frankly, he doesn't blame them for wanting a new contract.
"I don't know who to blame because we are in the middle of nowhere and when I spoke to construction people, why did you guys do this? They said it's nothing to us. It's the people who are in the office, it's the people who are doing the engineering. .... No one is giving me the right answer," he said.
He's just hopeful something gives before his business gives out.