Construction workers walk off job to support union picket line

Kristi Garrett
State Hornet
Published December 3, 1999

Dozens of workers walked off the site of the Mariposa Hall construction early Friday in support of picketing by members of the Operating Engineers Local No. 3.

The union protested McCarthy Construction's use of an able-bodied worker to operate the temporary lift, a job union representatives said is historically reserved for union members who have physical restrictions.

"People who do our work usually develop health problems over time," said Jay Bosley, the union's assistant district representative. "Jobs like running the lifts are usually reserved for older workers who can't do the rigors of regular construction.

Among the 13 picketers was Louis Costa, a 70-year-old union member who needs 86 hours on the job to qualify for retirement benefits. A neck injury left the Costa without full range of motion.

"We like someone in Louis' situation to be able to run that lift," said Bosley, who estimated that 80 to 100 plumbers, electricians, carpenters and laborers walked off the jobsite when the picketers arrived at 5:30 a.m.

Representatives of McCarthy Construction could not be reached for comment Friday.

"This is about the economic well being of the more vulnerable," Bosley said. "This is just an example of how our society and companies like McCarthy don't care about our people."

He said several companies constructing high-rise buildings in downtown Sacramento use workers who are older or with physical restrictions to operate the temporary elevators.

"Historically that work goes to these folks."