Published: September 5, 2008

A local union is protesting the possible selection of what it calls an anti-labor developer to build Howard University’s town center, even though the school has yet to start construction or even select a developer for the project.

Janitors, cleaners, doormen and other members of Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ want to discourage Howard from selecting Archstone as developer, saying the Englewood, Colo., company employs nonunion workers at one of its properties in New York City.

“We cannot afford to approve a developer who may undercut wage standards for workers who maintain the new development,” wrote Jaime Contreras, the union’s capital area director, in a Sept. 3 letter to Diane Branch, Howards associate vice president of real estate development.

University spokeswoman Kerry-Ann Hamilton says Branch hasn’t read the letter yet but the school plans to consider all five bidders and make a selection this fall. No word from Archstone, which is competing for the contract against Trammell Crow Co., Armada Hoffler, Castlerock Partners LLC and Monument Realty.