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Immigrant workers protest treatment
By GREG SMITH
Norwich Bulletin


GROTON -- Benigno Rodriguez said his place in a picket line outside a Navy housing construction site on Gungywamp Road was a matter of dignity and respect.

He was among two dozen Mexican immigrants, employees of Gargiulo Construction, waving American flags and holding signs to protest alleged unfair treatment by the subcontractors.

With the national spotlight recently focused on immigration issues, the workers walked off the site Tuesday in protest of eight fellow workers allegedly fired for talking to "CBS Nightly News."

Picketing employees have enlisted the aid of the New England Regional Council of Carpenters, who said it plans to file an unfair labor practices complaint with the National Labor Board.

Union spokesman Miguel A. Fuentes said the company is using undocumented workers. Because of their status, he said, employees had realized normal standards -- wage scales, break times and overall treatment -- did not apply to them.

"The vast majority are being paid as laborers when, in fact, they are performing the work of carpenters and steel workers," Fuentes said. "They've had enough."

"We're not against migrant workers, we're against companies that exploit migrant workers," he said.

Gene Gargiulo, owner of Gargiulo Construction, denied he fired anyone and said no one that works for him is undocumented. In an interview Tuesday, he said workers are slated to be laid off at the end of the week because construction is nearly completed.

Rodriguez Wednesday carried a sign reading "We Love America, Will She Ever Love Us." Through a translator, the Mexican immigrant said the protest was a culmination of unfair treatment.

The workers, all Mexican, are hard workers, raising families and only wanted what they deserved, Rodriguez said. He said workers were, at times, told they could be replaced easily if they complained about work conditions.

Because of their status in the United States, the workers agreed they were taking a risk Wednesday by their public display of solidarity.

Another worker, Juan Abrego, said, despite the attention, he believed it was the right thing to do.

"They're not going to stay in the shadows any longer. It's the lesser of two evils in their minds," Fuentes said.

Centex Construction, the project's general contractor, issued a statement Tuesday that said it supported the union's mission, but there was no evidence to support the union claims.

"Centex awards subcontracts on the basis of best value, and does not discriminate in any way," the statement said.

The company said all subcontractors must provide a letter for each employee working on site that conforms to minimum federal requirements.

GMH Limited signed a $600 million lease to manage build and renovate Navy housing in five Northeastern states. The project in Groton includes 2,039 units.

Reach Greg Smith at 425-4219 or gasmith@ norwichbulletin.com


Originally published April 13, 2006