Union Bricklayers to Picket Covanta Energy Plant in Crows Landing, CA

Union bricklayers representing the northern 46 counties in California will be picketing Recon Refractory Services at the Covanta Energy Plant in Crows Landing, CA on April 14, 2005 at 7:00 am, and again for the week of April 18, 2005, to express their concerns that Recon Refractory Services does not meet safety, area wage, and benefit standards. The Covanta Energy Plant in Crows Landing is located at 4040 Fink Road off of Highway 5.

Oakland, CA (PRWEB) April 14, 2005 -- The Bricklayers and Allied Craftsworkers Local #3 of Northern CA have a NLRB Settlement (Case: 20-CA-31856-1) in regards to this contractor. Recon, the contractor in question, is prohibited from performing work in this jurisdiction without bargaining in good faith. The work being performed at this time by Recon is in violation of the NLRB Settlement. The Stanislaus Building Trades Council and the affiliates of the Council will provide BAC3 all possible lawful support. Historically, Recon has used day labor resources on similar projects. BAC Local 3 Bricklayers attend a 4-year apprenticeship program that is certified by the state of California. This type of work is too dangerous to cut safety at the profit of Recon.

In light of the recent public protest and analysis of the Title V Permit Application review, we contend the practice of using untrained labor could expose plant personnel, the local community, and the environment to unnecessary risk. The Health Risk Assessment incorrectly claims that the assumptions used in the study are "designed to be conservative." At a hearing, the Air District confirmed the Risk Assessment did not assess risks from accidents, explosions, and uncontrolled bypasses of the pollution control equipment or similar problems that can and do occur at incineration facilities. Based only on "maximum allowable emissions," the Health Risk Assessment thus lacks an accurate, real-life evaluation of what happens during violations, accidents, uncontrolled bypasses of pollution control equipment and other breakdowns. It lacks a realistic worst-case scenario. This omission is a huge defect in the Health Risk Assessment and is a fatal flaw in the permit review and approval process" (Angel, B., Executive Director of GreenAction).

Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers represent 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. Refractory Bricklayers line the furnaces, boilers, benzene tanks, acid tanks, and catalytic crackers. This is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world and poses the greatest risk to Refractory Bricklayers. It is a danger for the untrained and unskilled workers as well as the community at large.

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