Wal-Mart Stores May Be a Safety Concern in California

The Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local #3 in conjunction with other Alameda County Building Trades will gather in Oakland on Thursday, March 10, 2005 at 9:30 am to discuss the events of Frazier Masonry at the Wal-Mart project in Oakland, CA. Frazier Masonry has been cited by the city of Oakland for improper installation of various sections of the concrete block walls. Many sections of the walls had to be removed and re-installed to meet local and state building codes. This substandard construction is the result of Frazier Masonry attempting to increase their profit at the expense and safety of the community. It has come to our attention that Frazier Masonry has constructed and will construct numerous Wal-Mart stores throughout California. Wal-Mart currently has 30 stores scheduled to open in Northern California in the next 1 to 2 years. The Wal-Mart is located on Edgewater Drive, Oakland, CA on the west side of 880 at the Hegenberger exit.

Oakland, CA (PRWEB) March 10, 2005

Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local #3 are committed to continue job actions until the issues of building construction, and area wage and benefit standards are appropriately addressed by Frazier Masonry and Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart only requires “contractors and subcontractors to follow all laws … and do the right thing” (http://www.walmartfacts.com, January 24, 2005). Due to recent violations of building codes, it seems that Frazier is not following all laws and doing the right thing. It seems apparent that Wal-Mart supports the substandard work of this contractor by taking a non-responsibility approach; when asked for comment by KTVU on February 4, 2005 on the situation, a Wal-Mart spokesperson stated the “General Contractor has the right to hire any subcontractor they want.” The construction of this site fails to address the issue of local community standards and the economic impact of allowing the use of contractors that try to subvert the law and pay substandard wages and benefits. Wal-Mart seems to support the substandard building construction and the degradation of standards by subcontractors to benefit their interests and not the interests of the community. Local 3 have members who live in the Oakland area who are California State Certified professional masons that are more qualified to do this work.

Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers represents approximately 3,000 Bricklayers/Stonemasons, Tile Layers and Finishers, Pointer Cleaner Caulkers, Marble Setters and Finishers, Terrazzo Mechanics and Finishers, and Refractory Bricklayers who work various aspects of the industry in the Northern 46 counties of California.

We ask you to attend our meeting on Thursday, March 10, 2005 at 9:30 am to show support in defending the standards that the citizens of this community have established.

###


Contact