LV union sees progress in organizing concrete industry workers

Brian Seals

Wednesday, July 1, 1998 | 11:19 a.m.

A union card count Tuesday showed a majority of Pete-White Eagle Concrete workers in Las Vegas want union representation.

More than 85 cards were counted by clergy with the Interfaith Council for Worker Justice -- enough to represent a majority of workers. The mostly Hispanic employees erupted into applause at Laborers Union Hall 872 when the majority was reached.

With that in place, the Building Trades Organizing Project says the company has agreed to recognize three trade unions - carpenters, laborers, plasterers and cement masons - and enter into collective bargaining if four of White Eagle's competitors agree to do the same.

Attempts to contact White Eagle officials failed.

BTOP officials say the agreement will allow the contractor to stay on equal footing with competitors.

"This agreement keeps the contractor healthy and the workers employed until the playing field is leveled for both groups," said Bob Ozinga, BTOP director.

BTOP has assaulted the company throughout the year, accusing it of failure to provide rest and lunch breaks, water and toilet facilities at job sites. BTOP officials say White Eagle has agreed to address these issues.

White Eagle worker Freddie Lucero said conditions have been improving.

"Things are getting better for us," Lucero said. "We're getting our breaks and getting our lunch breaks. The workers are a lot happier on the job."

With the agreement in place, workers want to get other concrete companies to recognize the unions.

"Our battle now is to get the other companies in," Lucero said.

Ace Concrete, Campbell Concrete, Dean Concrete, GMS Concrete Kukurin Concrete, MS Concrete and Whipple, Laird Construction are the companies seen as White Eagle competitors, BTOP said.