Members of several Building Trades unions picketed outside Ridgedale in July.
The Minneapolis Building and Construction Trades Council will launch a mobile ad campaign tomorrow warning Ridgedale Center shoppers of serious safety hazards at the Minnetonka mall.
The coalition of 28 unions opted to ramp up the campaign after Ridgedale tenants and the mall’s Chicago-based ownership group, General Growth Properties (GGP), largely ignored complaints of serious safety issues on worksites linked to the mall’s $100 million renovation project.
The coalition will roll out a mobile-media ad campaign targeting the wireless and mobile devices of Ridgedale Center customers, delivering the campaign’s “Shop at Your Own Risk” safety message.
Since breaking ground last year, Ridgedale’s renovation effort has been plagued by interruptions and safety problems, including a roof fire in Macy’s in November 2013.
In July, union craftspeople picketed together outside Ridgedale Center, warning the public of reported safety hazards on the renovation project ranging from unlocked electrical boxes to unsecured demolition sites. GGP called in police to stop union members from educating shoppers about those hazards, prompting the Building Trades coalition to deliver their message to shoppers digitally.
Go to ShopAtYourOwnRisk.org or facebook.com/ShopAtYourOwnRisk for more information about the campaign.
Union Advocate 