Construction trade workers protest at Virginia Power
MICHAEL MARTZ/RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH
Bob Corby, a carpenter from Goochland County, hands out fliers at Dominion Virginia Power headquarters calling on the utility to hire more Virginia workers for its construction projects.
The people who build and repair Dominion Virginia Power plants today challenged the people who own them to hire more state workers for the jobs.
A group of union workers handed out fliers as Dominion employees arrived for work this morning at the electric utility's headquarters at One James River Plaza on East Cary Street in downtown Richmond . More than 50 workers participated, also handing out fliers in front of the Virginia Employment Commission's headquarters, Dominion's corporate offices on Tredegar Street and other downtown intersections.
"We just want our fair share of the work," said James E. "Toney" Rigali, president of the Virginia State Building & Construction Trades Council.
Rigali, who estimates the council represents about 35,000 union-represented workers in a wide variety of crafts across the state, said the message is about Virginia workers, regardless of whether they belong to a union.
"Whether it's union or non-union, we just want Virginians to be first and get in these jobs," said Rigali, who is a member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local 10, based in South Richmond.
The members of the trades council also include elevator and sheet metal workers, carpenters, electricians, boilermakers, bricklayers, plasterers and cement masons, millwrights, asbestos workers, operating engineers and laborers with Virginia licenses and in many cases state-certified training. They say too much work is going to out-of-state contractors at Dominion projects, including a new combined-cycle gas-fired power plant in Buckingham County and a coal-fired plant in Wise County.
However, the protesters offered no documentation of the practice, other than anecdotal evidence that many contract workers live in other states.
Dominion spokesman Karl R. Neddenien said today that the utility has hired more than 200 local residents for its Wise County power plant, or abour 40 percent of the project work force.
"Dominion Virginia Power actively works with our construction contractors to promote hiring local residents and make employment opportunities available to union craft workers," Neddenien said.
"We also need to ensure that projects are completed on time and on budget to the benefit of our customers," he added.
The organizers of today's protest acknowledged the use of out-of-state contractors for Dominion construction projects isn't new, but they said times have changed because of the recession and the utility's request for a 6.9-percent increase in base utility rates.
"How are people going to pay their electric bill when they don't have a job?" Rigali asked.
-- Michael Martz
Reader Reactions
William, Our Great President is giving the people of this great USA our STATUE OF LIBERTY BACK. It will reopen on July 4,2009. Yhanks for your years of fighting for the MIDDLE class. “Baseball, Apple Pie and Chevrolet”.Jay is back. I thought maybe Huffy had told him to go back to work
Willy,
Curiosity is getting the best of me on this one little detail… Is your part time job a Union job, or are you simply a hypocrite? In addition, if you don’t need your current job, is that not taking an opportunity away from someone that actually does? Pension? & Social Security? congratulations, are they aware that you are still working, although it may not effect your benefits it should surely be reported to them… Willy, your the typical Union “Blow Hard” (a major reason they have become outdated)
If you care so deeply for the people that did all of these things for you why aren’t you out there picketing with them instead of burning up kW-hrs and giving money to the very people that are sticking it to them?
Or do you only care about yourself?
Oh, and BTW, I am not worried in the lest (about myself). I am retired and receive a very nice pension and all benefits paid for (thanks to UNION)—and I also receive social security!! I am very well off and secure. I also work part-time. I don’t need to, but I enjoy the work tremendously and the pay I receive is an extra bonus!!! Even though I am doing quite well, thank you, I DO have concern for my fellow brothers and sisters! When I see family and friends struggling to find jobs right here in Virginia, and then see Dominion bringing in people from other states, YES it does concern me. Maybe most people do not care about anyone else’s situation but their own, but I DO have a little compassion left in me. These people pay their Dominion bills and then Dominion uses the money to pay out-of-towners! Go figure!
How ‘bout ALL THREE???????
Willy,
Which is it? It seems your concerns switched from “Out of Towners” to “Illegals” and now you claim an inferior work force…. Face the facts Willy, If you were the best at whatever it is you do, you wouldn’t have to worry now would you?
Hi Huffie! Gee, you don’t work for Dominion? What a relief. From the way you were talking, I woulda sworn you were one of their “spokespersons”. But then again, I myself DO believe in the Easter Bunny and Santa Clause. I am a very trusting person and I know that Dominion is totally looking out for my welfare— they wouldn’t cut corners to make a profit while using inferior workmanship! Perish the thought! Aren’t we lucky to have corporations like Dominion who look after our well-being? Gotta run, have an appointment with the Tooth Fairy.
jim what is going to happen to the fly ash at the golf course, i guess they could always dump it in the bay might get some really nice sea food after that
You think your hands hurt now?, Wait till your Teamster buddies get done with them…
Jay, I’m having trouble typing today. The picket signs were tough on my hands, blisters on both index fingers. Hands get soft when you don’t do anything. You probably know where I’m comming from.
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