The Opus Investment principals allege harassment by supposed union representatives.
An anonymous pro-union flier and other acts are allegedly putting "inappropriate pressure" on a developer proposing a massive warehouse project in the Phillipsburg area.
Medford, New Jersey-based Opus Investments has proposed building 4 million square feet of warehouse space on the nearly 400-acre Commerce Park site in Phillipsburg and Lopatcong Township.
But a flier distributed recently in Lopatcong accuses Opus of not committing to using local labor.
This anonymous flier was allegedly distributed in Lopatcong Township, criticizing the developer of Commerce Park in Phillipsburg and Lopatcong. The developer, Opus Investments, disputes the claims. (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com)"Please let the Lopatcong Planning Board know we don't need companies like Opus disrespecting local New Jersey workers," the flier says. "We don't need Opus in New Jersey. What we do need for our nieghbors (sic) are jobs."
Opus, in a letter this week to the municipalities, refuted the claims in the flier and said its principals, the husband-and-wife team of Dan Gural and Erin Murphy, have "been subjected to inappropriate pressure from persons that identify themselves as union representatives."
The letter specifically describes three incidents.
Two alleged union members went to Murphy and Gural's home in Medford after 10 p.m. March 6 for a "safety check," according to the letter. Nonunion contractors were told by unions they cannot bid on demolition work on the site, the letter said. And a union person demanded to meet with the developers at a Lopatcong meeting, then followed them for 15 miles on their way home and threw a cup of coffee at their car, the letter said.
No unions were specifically mentioned in the developers' correspondence.
Murphy told lehighvalleylive.com that police have been alerted in Phillipsburg, Lopatcong and Medford, though no charges have been filed.
The letter from Opus indicates it is a response to another sent to the developer by Phillipsburg's attorney, Richard Wenner, saying that local unions were having difficulty speaking to Opus about potential work opportunities.
Opus said it is too early in the process to discuss building contracts. Various approvals are still needed from the municipalities.
"Until agreements are reached with our end users, discussions concerning the construction ... would be fruitless," Opus said in its response. The developer noted it is in a bidding process for demolition at the site and has received 11 proposals, both union and non-union.
The flier also references a local fabricator that had "no shot at bidding work" and "is being removed from this property."
Opus, in its letter, said that is probably a reference to Stateline Fabricators, a tenant at Commerce Park. The letter said they have "a very cordial relationship" with Stateline and "negotiated a mutually beneficial arrangement to allow Stateline to relocate their business."
Representatives of Stateline did not immediately return a call for comment.
Wenner also could not be reached for comment Tuesday. Neither Murphy nor the mayors of Phillipsburg and Lopatcong said they knew who distributed the flier.
Part of the developers' agreement with the towns includes a provision that they hire local labor, though not necessarily union labor.
"Our hiring policy is that we hire the best qualified individuals/entities with the best bids," Murphy said.
Phillipsburg Mayor Stephen Ellis said anyone with concerns should approach the local government rather than conduct an anonymous campaign.
"It might create a little bit of resentment," he said of the flier. "Phillipsburg needs that development. ... If this holds it up, oh my Lord, you're affecting the lives of 15,000 people.
"I have a higher responsibility of making sure this town thrives," Ellis continued. "We will put our energies to resolve any sort of conflict that may hamper that."
Financial gains predicted from I-R project
Various efforts at redeveloping the land, which includes the former Ingersoll Rand site, have been made since 2000. The developer has spent millions of dollars to get the project off the ground, according to its letter.
Opus predicts that when the eight warehouses are complete and occupied by 2022, the site will support almost 3,000 jobs and $425 million in annual economic output. It also projects Commerce Park -- both directly and through its impact on other local businesses -- will produce $3.7 billion within Warren County over the next 10 years.
A "large user" has expressed interest in the site, Murphy has previously said. She estimated the interested party, whom she declined to identify due to ongoing negotiations, could double the projected number of jobs at the site.
Playgrounds and a walking trail on the property's southern end are also proposed early in the four-phase development.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.