Jay-Z Faces Accusations of Unfair Labor Practices

Lest anyone think the inevitable onslaught of baby gifts has already begun, the giant inflatable rats spotted this week in front of Jay-Z's 40/40 Club weren't meant as presents for the hip-hop tycoon and his pregnant wife, Beyonce.

The rubber rodents came compliment of the New York City District Council of Carpenters, which accuses Hova of unfair labor practices. The rapper is in the midst of renovating his Manhattan nightspot, and the Council of Carpenters claims that the firm hired to do the repairs pays workers a "substandard wage" and fails to meet "area labor standards," according to TMZ.

"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," wrote a spokesman for the watchdog group in an email to the website Curbed. "Shame on the 40/40 CLUB & Shawn Carter aka Jay Z for contributing to the erosion of area standards for New York City Carpenters."

A 40/40 representative told TMZ that the club -- 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.