Jay-Z Embroiled in Dispute With New York Carpentry Union

Jay-Z has come under fire from members of a carpentry union after hiring a private firm to renovate his New York sports bar.

The Empire State of Mind hitmaker shut down the Manhattan branch of his 4040 Club in June (11) to give the venue a complete design overhaul, worth an estimated $10 million .

It was expected to relaunch this month (Sep11), but Jay-Z and his business partner Juan Perez are now looking at a November (11) re-opening.

However, the pair was targeted by workers belonging to the New York City District Council of Carpenters, who made their feelings clear during a protest outside the bar last week (ends02Sep11), complete with giant inflatable rats.

But the union members themselves have fallen out of favor with the co-owners after allegedly offending the African American rapper by using the 'N' word during the incident, prompting Jay-Z's spokeswoman to hit back at the protesters.

Representative Lauren Menache tells the New York Daily News, "The union is trying to bully 4040 (owners) to hire union workers. They were shouting racial slurs. It was really inappropriate protesting".

And Menache has defended Jay-Z's decision to contract private labourers, insisting the club is located in a non-union building.

She adds, "We confirmed that we have the right to hire a contractor that is not in the union".

The flagship 4040 Club was established in 2002 and the franchise includes bars in gambling mecca Atlantic City, New Jersey and Chicago, Illinois.