On April 18, carpenter union workers picketed across from a Yellow Tree construction site at 35th and Nicollet that uses Regal Contractors for its drywall work. The North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters says Regal subcontracts out labor, operates "below board," doesn't pay workers standard area wages, and works around paying workers comp.

“We want people to be cognizant of who is developing in the neighborhood,” Woodrow Pine, a representative for the union said.

Union representatives on the picket line shouted "Pay them fairly," "wage theft, not today," and "same work, same pay" throughout the morning.

The North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters holds a Tax Fraud Day of Action on Tax Day each year, picketing at construction sites across the country that are known to use subcontracted labor. The union argues that subcontracted labor is dangerous for workers, costs taxpayers money, and allows the construction companies to avoid paying taxes. By hiring union workers, workers would be trained properly, lowering the medical costs passed onto taxpayers, and would be properly taxed at a higher wage.

The North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters represents 39 Local unions in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Southwest Voices has reached out to Regal Contractors for comment.