Organized Labor

By Richard Bermack
Contributing Writer and Photographer

The work of Laborers Local 67 is environmental remediation. They remove or contain asbestos, lead, mold, and other toxic materials. They start by securing their work space to prevent containments from leaking into the environment, sealing off the workspace with plastic sheeting. They sometimes wrap plastic around entire buildings.

“There’s a new sheriff in town,” Shiu told the audience. “We want to ensure that affirmative action really means something... We are looking at the regulations to ascertain all the ways we can strengthen them, to ensure that your working conditions are free of harassment, free of retaliation, and allow you to be promoted and work in a non-discriminating work environment.

” And then, perhaps in reference to the past administration’s lack of action, she added: “But without enforcement, a regulation doesn’t mean anything. I am committed to enforcing the law.” Referring to her distinguished career as a civil rights lawyer, Shiu repeated her commitment to enforcement, drawing cheers from the audience.

Oscar Urzua Supervisor It is a little dangerous. That’s why we put safety first. We have safety meetings every morning to go over the dangers. On this job we are using a lot of water, so I remind them not to use water near electrical power. I tell them, “Water and power don’t mix.” I like being a supervisor and figuring out which guys do better for which type of job. Some guys are better removing tile, some like putting on plastic. Sometimes you can’t tell what they do best until you see them working.

Fernando Avalos Supervisor When you see people, especially the older people who are living in this building, you think about your own family and your own future, and you want to make sure the place they are living is safe. I like this job because we are cleaning up the environment. We are remediating a problem by removing asbestos and lead. The hardest part is being safe. Some people don’t get it at first. They don’t realize what can happen in the future from what they are doing. We have to teach the proper procedures to the other trades and explain the dangers to them. Different people have different mind sets. You get to learn a lot about dealing with people. It’s dangerous work, but somebody has to do it. And that’s why I’m here.

Margarito Ponce Supervisor The job has really changed a lot with the new technology since I started 28 years ago. We are using a water blasting machine on the third floor of this job. The machine cleans the floor adhesives containing asbestos and then sucks the water directly into a tank that we have below. The asbestos is captured and separated from the water and properly disposed, so it doesn’t affect anyone. The machine is very fast and safe. Before we would use chemicals to remove the asbestos containing adhesives. Now we don’t have to use chemicals, and it is a lot safer for the environment. It makes me proud to know that when the kids come back here to school everything will be clean and safe.

Ariana Pedroza I like everything about the work, especially how all the different supervisors are always talking about safety and are reminding us to be safe. It’s hard work, but a woman can do it. The guys are very respectful. I would recommend the job to other women. I used to work in a cafeteria, and this pays a lot better.

Eduardo Diaz I like tearing walls down, but you have to be careful or you can get bruises and ankle cuts. I have two uncles in the business, and they said, “Come work with us.”

Luis Gomez Supervisor, Restec Contractors Inc When we go to the job we try to get everybody on the same page. It is a matter of working with the general contractor and the industrial hygienists. The hygienists are the ones who note all the hazards and make sure the work is done properly and safely. The main trick is talking to people. It is all about communication. I watch everything that goes on during the day, and if they are doing something hazardous, I bring it up at the next meeting and explain the hazards to the other crafts working on the project. Most people don’t know how some of the tools in our trade are supposed to be used. The vacuum is probably the hardest one. The trick is not how to use the actual machine, but the procedures they have to follow to get out every particle of dust on the floor. The inspectors take air samples, and if they find particles, the job won’t get the final clearance, and no one wants to have to clean it up all over again. My cousin got me into the trade. I was working in the fields in Fresno, and he explained there would be more opportunity in this type of work than in farm work. Now everywhere I go, I pass by places I’ve helped clean up.

Juan de la Cruz My favorite part is demolishing things, and I like the pay and benefits. I have two kids and a wife.

Carlos Orozco I like tearing down stuff, but you need to know how to do it safely.