Jay-Z Faces Unfair Labor Practices

The giant inflatable rats spotted this week in front of Jay-Z’s 40/40 Club weren’t meant as gifts. The rubber rats came from the New York City District Council of Carpenters, which accuses Jay-Z of unfair labor practices.

According to reports, He is in the midst of renovating his nightspot, and the Council of Carpenters claims his firm hired to do the repairs pay workers substandard wage failing to meet area labor standards.

“A rat is a contractor that does not pay all of its employees the Area Standard Wages, including either providing or making payments for family health care and pension benefits. Shame on the 40/40 CLUB & Shawn Carter aka Jay Z for contributing to the erosion of area standards for New York City Carpenters,” wrote a spokesman for the watchdog group in an email to the website Curbed.

A 40/40 representative said, due to reopen in November, operates in a non-union building and is therefore not required to do business with union firms. The rep also charged the Council of Carpenters with using racial slurs and attempting to intimidate the public.