Concrete strikers replaced

A concrete plant in North Las Vegas has hired replacement workers for more than 35 employees who went on strike in a pay dispute.

Disgruntled employees at Jensen Precast, 3853 Losee Road, left their jobs on June 8 and enlisted the support of the Nevada Carpenters Union. Since then, the workers have manned pickets and received the support of Linda Chavez-Thompson, national vice president of the AFL-CIO, who has visited the picket line twice this summer.

Jensen General Manager Tony Shanks said in a written statement that the company has kept its plant operational and hired temporary replacement workers to ensure timely deliveries.

At issue for the employees are what they say are low wages and benefits. They also said they are concerned about safety at the plant and the way employees are treated when they are injured on the job.

Several employees arrived at work June 2 wearing union T-shirts and walked off the job nearly a week later when the two sides disagreed on procedures for a union representation vote.

Shanks said the Carpenters Union, which operates Locals 1780, 1827 and 1977 in Las Vegas, threatened violence and property damage, prompting him to file a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board.

The union countered with a June 10 letter on union letterhead, taking the dispute to Jensen customers.

"We decided to organize a union because of the low wages, substandard benefits and unfair treatment we were receiving at Jensen," the letter said. "We do not believe $8 an hour is a fair wage for the hard work we do, nor do we think we should have to pay $36 a week to cover our families with health insurance."

The letter is signed by about 40 employees.

Shanks said Jensen pays all employee medical premiums and half for dependents. The company offers a standard package of benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, a retirement program and profit sharing.

He said he supports the employees' right to a union vote with a secret ballot, but said the union has blocked an election while it garners support.

Shanks also said the company has gone more than 220 days without a lost-time accident.

The North Las Vegas plant is one of four operated by Sparks-based Jensen. The local operation produces precast concrete products such as electrical and telephone vaults and boxes, catch basins, highway barriers and sewer manholes.

The company says it has about 100 employees while the union says there are about 60 at the local plant.

Shanks said employees have rejected several union overtures over the years.

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