School Board told construction workers are being treated poorly

Terry Webster

Friday, Sept. 10, 1999 | 10:02 a.m.

After hearing testimony from community and union leaders, School Board members said they were appalled and saddened by the reported treatment of some construction workers by contractors at new school sites.

Speakers urged the School Board Thursday to support only responsible contractors who treat their employees fairly and in accordance with the law.

Some of the mistreatment cited at the meeting involved employees working long hours with no breaks or water. Others were required to lie about their wages or to pay back their employers some $200 each week.

"This whole thing saddens me, it really does," said board member Shirley Barber.

Board member Lois Tarkanian called the working conditions appalling.

Jose Garcia, who was making $15 an hour, said he was told to lie about what he was being paid.

"They said if anyone asked what I was making, tell them $28 an hour," he said.

School officials said they will consider comments made by the Las Vegas Interfaith Council for Worker Justice and Nevada Carpenters as they design new criteria for the qualifications of bidders on contracts.

The measure is expected to be brought before the board for final approval during the Sept. 23 regular meeting.

Michael Slater, executive director of the Interfaith Council, said the council and the Carpenter's Union started cracking down on questionable contractors about two years ago.

Meanwhile, the Legislature passed a law allowing local units of government -- including school districts -- to develop criteria for prequalifying contractors, Slater said. He wants only "qualified, ethical companies" to get a crack at district projects.

"The school district represents the biggest ongoing construction project in the state," he said. "By knocking out the unethical contractors, we level the playing field for those who are ethical."

One of the ways contractors unfairly compete is by reducing costs by not paying prevailing wages, Slater said.

In other action, the board issued a reminder that the public is being asked to participate in a study on what criteria the district should have for hiring a new superintendent.

Residents can respond to a survey by logging on to the Internet (www.ccsd.net) and then clicking on the icon for "superintendent profile survey."

Additionally, surveys are available at neighborhood schools and can be obtained by calling the School Board office at 799-1072. Written surveys must be returned by Sept. 10.