The Mercury received an anonymous tip last night, suggesting we get down to the corner of SW Moody and Gaines on the South Waterfront at 4.00am. News Editor Amy Jenniges, who doesn’t mind getting out of bed that early, scooted down to check it out:

Shortly before 4:30 am, two vans pulled up. A handful of people piled out, toting piles of signs and hammers. They quickly fanned out, and pounded dozens of signs into the perimeter of the property, in the shadow of the John Ross condo tower. The South Waterfront “is unionville,” one guy explained. The subcontractors listed on their signs—Ron Rust Drywall and Southborder Drywall—don’t pay decent wages, the sign-planters allege. Stressing that this sign action is “just the beginning,” they hope to convince the project’s main contractor to use companies that pay fair wages.

The photos, shot around 6.30am, show some of about 40 signs around the perimeter of the property.