New York, NY --New York City’s construction workers, including immigrant workers, members of the construction trades, and non-unionized workers, gathered at the headquarters of general contractor, New Line Structures, in Manhattan to speak out about the contractor’s ties to construction worker deaths, worker exploitation, wage theft, and hiring practices of subcontractors who put construction workers’ lives in danger.
Lead by organizers from the Laborers’ International Union of North American (LIUNA), construction workers demanded that New Line end their practice of hiring irresponsible contractors. They shared a laundry-list of violations, ranging from wage theft, illegal dumping of hazardous construction waste, and dangerous jobsite accidents proving the company does not prioritize worker safety, wages, or New York City residents.
New Line hires subcontractors with histories of worker deaths on their current projects. Currently cranes owned by Cranes Express are permitted to operate at 85 Jay Street, Brooklyn, a project managed by New Line Structures. On April 13, 2019, at a different construction site, a 7.5 ton counterweight fell on Greg Echevarria, a 34-year-old father, and crushed him to death as he was setting up equipment owned by Cranes Express. Highbury Concrete is another questionable subcontractor that operated under New Line in 2016 and 2018. Mahamoudon Marega, a 30-year-old employee of Highbury Concrete, died two days before Christmas 2016 when he fell three stories down an elevator shaft. OSHA issued a violation against Highbury for failing to provide adequate fall protection. An earlier OSHA investigation of another jobsite in 2014 found that Highbury did not meet fall protection standards and fined the firm $4,900. These incidents and others demonstrate a clear pattern of disregard for workers’ lives and safety.
Non-union construction workers, particularly Latino and immigrant workers, made up 93% of New York City construction work fatalities in 2017, as reported by the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH).
Over 20 immigrant workers and members of the New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE), also had wages stolen by a sub-contractor at Hallets Point in Astoria, New York, a project managed by New Line Structures. Workers say PEI Electric, a sub-contractor, on the project didn’t pay 23 workers more than $37,000.
“Data shows that nonunion job sites result in disproportionate percentages of fatalities. New Line’s practice of hiring unscrupulous contractors who put workers’ lives in danger is a threat to the safety of New York City’s workers.” - Charlene Obernauer, Executive Director, New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH)
“Once again, non-union contractors looking to line their pockets with profits, take advantage of construction workers they employ by having little regard for their safety and livelihood. Working in construction is one of the most dangerous jobs in New York City and these workers deserve an employer who seeks to ensure they return home safely at the end of the day. When contractors cut corners, workers lives are put at risk, and worse, some don’t return home to their families.” - John Hutchings, Executive Director and Administrator, NYS Laborers’ Organizing Fund (NYSLOF), Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA)
New Line’s tendency to prioritize profit and disregard workers doesn’t stop at cutting corners when it comes to safety. Time and time again, New Line has hired contractors with a history of cheating workers out of their hard-earned wages (more data available upon request).
"This situation affects us in psychological and economic ways... It feels like the government protects the contractors more than the workers, especially Latinos... the company New Line helps these businesses (the subcontractors) continue doing this (stealing our wages)...They are also responsible," says an impacted worker and member of New immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE) who wishes to remain anonymous.
[Spanish] "Esta situación nos afecta en el ámbito psicológico y económico... Se siente que el gobierno protege mas a los empresarios que a los mismos trabajadores, y sobretodo los latinos... la compania New Line ayuda a que estas empresas (los subcontratistas) sigan haciendo esto (estafando)...Ellos son también responsables."
Additional Quotes:
“Tired of the injustices they face at the hands of abusive employers, our members, immigrant construction workers and day laborers from across the city, have decided to raise their voices and stand with our brothers and sisters from the construction trades to say, “Not One More!” “Ni Uno Mas!” “No more deaths” “No more stolen wages!,” said Manuel Castro, executive director of New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE). "Our members know first-hand what it's like to have their lives put at risk and their wages stolen. But too many also know what it’s like to lose a friend and a co-worker to a deadly construction accident. Today we call on all New Yorkers to also take a stance and ensure abusive employers are held accountable.”
"No construction project or blueprint should take priority over the health and safety of a construction worker. We know this but, unfortunately, there’s one group that doesn’t: The developers and contractors like New Line Construction that keep putting workers second to profit. I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those who oppose this contractor endangering the lives of working-class men and women. Worker safety is never second," said Council Member Francisco Moya.
"Construction work is already one of the most dangerous jobs out there,” said Council Member Ben Kallos. "The dangers are exacerbated dramatically when
“The simple truth is that contractors who hire non-union labor view immigrant workers of color as expendable,” said Council Member I. Daneek Miller, Civil Service and Labor Committee Chair. “Two years ago, we passed Construction Worker Safety legislation to lessen fatal construction accidents by mandating basic safety training for workers. The fact such incidents still occur suggests that the City Council’s work to hold companies like New Line Structures accountable for their negligence is far from finished. Neither they nor those contractors who habitually cheat workers out of their hard-earned pay will be able to escape scrutiny, and the Civil Service and Labor Committee will see to it that there will surely be steep consequences for the worst actors among them.”
Information about LIUNA:
The New York State Laborers’ represents over 40,000 members employed in the construction industry and other fields throughout the state organized into more than 24 local unions and 5 district councils. We are a proud affiliate of the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA), which represents more than 500,000 workers in the construction trades, factories, hospitals and other workplaces. New York State Laborers’ PAC affiliates include, concrete workers, paving and heavy highway locals, tunnel workers, excavators, and general construction laborers.
Information about NICE:
New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE) builds the individual and collective power of immigrant workers. We envision a society where all people, regardless of immigration status, live and work with dignity and justice. We focus on organizing and supporting newly arrived immigrants who face significant challenges in finding safe, dignified, and well-paying jobs and are at high risk of workplace abuse and exploitation.
Information about NYCOSH:
The New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) is a membership organization of workers, unions, community-based organizations, workers’ rights activists, and health and safety professionals. Founded in 1979 on the principle that workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths are preventable, NYCOSH works to extend and defend every person’s right to a safe and healthy workplace. NYCOSH is a non-profit 501c3 organization.