Photos: Manuel Torres
May 1st was celebrated in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas by about 100 workers protesting the lack of pay from apartment construction employers who built apartments for private entities. These corporations in turn rent them out under the Federal Program Section 8 to local housing authorities.
Several workers employed by a sub-contractor, Pete Coronado, who was contracted by Galaxy Builders LTD who ran off and didn’t pay his workers more than ($12,000.00) twelve thousand dollars owed to them in wages. Galaxy Builders LTD representatives said it paid the sub-contractor and claims no responsibility for the wages owed. But any employer who hires a sub-contractor should make sure the sub-contractor is bonded not only for the work being done but also for payment of wages to its workers.
The protest originated at the Los Fresnos Library and protestors marched three miles chanting, “Pay our wages!” The march ended where the apartments had been built. The march was organized by Fuerza del Valle/Hector Guzman. Among the marchers were representatives from different Valley organizations of students, workers and retirees
The marchers went inside the apartment building offices and occupied them for over 30 minutes. They delivered a letter to management demanding payment of the $12,000.00 to the workers. Management accepted the letter and asked us to leave, and as usual the Cameron County Sheriff’s office was called, and others arrived to supposedly maintain the peace.
The protestors were peaceful and respectful, but firm on their demand that the workers be paid. The workers spoke about how the non-payment of their wages has affected their livelihood. Their families were not able to make house payments, buy food, and other necessities of life.
Yet the employers refuse to pay them again and ignore their demands. As always the police stand on the side of the employers and against the workers every time the workers fight for their rights.
