In the northeast part of Milwaukee, a giant inflatable rat stands guard in front of a demolition site.
The inflatable rat- often referred to as “Scabby”-has become a visual beacon for calling attention to contractors and companies that undermine labor standards by refusing to pay area standard wages, health care, and pension benefits.
The use of Scabby the rat in labor protests started in the 1980s.
Its grotesque appearance, complete with bared teeth and pustulant sores, serves as a stark metaphor for the ‘disease’ of poor labor practices that some believe can infest industries and harm communities.
At this Milwaukee demolition site, the presence of the rat was accompanied by picketing union workers from the International Union of Operating Engineers, LOCAL 139, who distributed flyers elucidating their grievances against HM Brandt, LLC.
These flyers urged the public to stand with them in demanding fair, area-standard compensation for the perilous work involved in demolition. They outlined the fair wage as $43.23 per hour, coupled with complete employer-paid health coverage and pension benefits.