YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - A local union brought out a giant inflatable rat to protest Youngstown State University's decision to award a contract to an out of state, non-union company for campus improvements.

Brian Collier, Field Representative of Bricklayers Local 8 says the university hired a company from Indianapolis to do exterior work on Moser Hall and Stambaugh Stadium.

Union members and their inflatable rat protested on Wednesday along Fifth Avenue and the Madison Avenue Expressway.

The Indianapolis company, Advanced Restoration Contractors, confirmed that thier workers are non-union,  but claim that they pay what they call prevailing wages which is determined before the bid is made.  A company spokesperson had no comment on the protests.

Five companies bid on the project. ARC was awarded the contract with an $856,000 bid. 

YSU officials did not return our call for comment.

The rat, which the union local has owned for about fifteen years, wears a hat bearing the words "easy money".