CTUL Campaigns for Protections for Non-union Construction Workers

MINNEAPOLIS — The Twin Cities has “two realities” for construction workers. In the unionized sector, workers are paid well, receive benefits, and enjoy the protections of a union contract. But in the non-union construction sector — which is largely comprised of immigrant workers — workers encounter a range of abuses, from misclassification as independent contractors, to wage theft, to unsafe working conditions, to sexual harassment, and, in extreme cases, labor trafficking.

“We are demanding dignity and respect for workers,” said Douglas Guerra, construction worker and member of worker center CTUL, speaking at a September 12 rally.

Toward that goal, CTUL has adapted international models to create its “Building Dignity & Respect Program.”

The “BDR” program aims to enlist developers to sign-on to a list of employment standards to which they will hold their contractors and sub-contractors accountable.

CTUL has shared research reporting that “at least one in four construction workers in Minnesota experience payroll fraud.” 

“We can change the rules of the economy to make sure it’s an economy where everybody prospers,” said Veronica Mendez-Moore, CTUL co-director.

For two years, CTUL has waged a campaign asking three developers who are active in the Twin Cities to sign-on to the BDR Program — Solhem Companies, Yellow Tree, and United Properties — whose projects are rife with worker abuse by contractors. 

CTUL ratcheted the campaign up a few notches with a week of action culminating in a news conference at Minneapolis city hall September 11 and a mile-long march the following day.

At the news conference, CTUL announced that 30 state and local elected officials had signed on to an open letter urging support for the BDR program.

CTUL’s news conference and march included representatives of Minnesota’s building trades unions.

“General contractors have the ability to control and change the culture on their construction sites,” said Kim Nelson, assistant political director of the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters.

“There’s no reason why the developers should not sign-on to the program,” said Carlos Garcia, CTUL’s lead organizer for the construction campaign. “There’s enough money for the developers to make their profit… Without these workers’ hands, none of these things get built…”

Join in support  of CTUL at the organization’s Annual Anniversary Gala October 26. Visit ctul.net for more information.