Jersey City development is happening at a rapid pace, and construction workers are being put at-risk
Members of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) joined with members of the community, clergy, and public officials to mourn the death of Juan Jose Coc, a 40-year-old construction worker. On Friday, February 2nd, Mr Coc fell four stories to his death from the Comunipaw Avenue construction site where he was employed. He is survived by a wife and one child.
Jersey City is in a period of unprecedented growth. Named the 10th tallest city in the United States, 35 of Jersey’s City’s 43 tallest buildings were constructed after 2000. Out of such vibrant development has arisen questionable and even illegal building practices that have exploited workers, many who are immigrants, and exposed them to workplace hazards and treatment that puts them at-risk of injury, illness, or even death.
“While much media attention is given to WHAT is being built in Jersey City, little attention is given to HOW buildings are constructed and the risk construction workers are faced with each and every day,” said LIUNA Vice President and Eastern Regional Manager Michael E. Hellstrom. “In many cases, workers are faced with the horrible choice between earning a paycheck or putting themselves at-risk. It shouldn’t be an either/or. Workers deserve a fair wage for their labor AND the ability to go home after a hard day’s work healthy and in one piece.”
For the past eight months, LIUNA members have taken to the streets to implore public officials and the development community to do more to protect workers. A series of serious injuries to immigrant construction workers—one at& Kushner Companies’ One Journal Square Project and one at LeFrak’s The Wave Project—both resulted in workers being moved, without medical supervision, via cranes and trash receptacles. Workers were literally treated like garbage. LIUNA has asked City officials to take the lead in establishing and enforcing standards on local construction projects and to hold accountable developers and contractors who choose to exploit workers.
Bernard Callegari, assistant regional manager for LIUNA, cited labor statistics that demonstrate construction as one of the most dangerous occupations in America. Yet, Callegari argued, there is a collective indifference to construction injuries. “Were we to see teachers or cashiers dying or becoming seriously injured at the same rate of construction workers, people would be taking to the streets, hearings would be called for, and there would be demands for immediate change,” said Callegari. “At this point, there has been little proactive steps taken to protect workers, only timid responses after the fact.”
Near the conclusion of the vigil, attendees illuminated candles and a roll call was read of thirty incidents in Jersey City where a worker was either seriously injured or killed on the job. The last fatality mentioned was the most recent one, that of Juan Jose Coc. In attendance were members of his family, who asked to remain anonymous.