Union leaders demand local jobs for Las Vegas construction projects
August 08, 2024 | Las Vegas , Clark County, Nevada
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In a recent Las Vegas city council meeting, union representatives voiced strong support for implementing community benefits agreements (CBAs) for public works projects. The discussions centered around the need for local hiring practices and the economic impact of out-of-state contractors on the community.
Vince Savedra, executive secretary treasurer of the Southern Nevada Building and Construction Trade Unions, emphasized the importance of CBAs, arguing that they would ensure local workers are prioritized for city-funded projects. He expressed frustration over the lack of traction on this issue, despite previous discussions with council members. \"I think the city should be able to make its own decisions on good merit,\" he stated.
Daniel Lincoln, a representative from District Council 16, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the struggles of local workers who are sidelined while out-of-state contractors dominate major projects in downtown Las Vegas. \"It should be unacceptable to all of you,\" he urged the council, calling for immediate action to support local labor.
Other union representatives, including Joe Moussa and Robert Diaz, reinforced the call for CBAs, stressing that local projects should benefit the community economically. They pointed out that many local workers are currently unemployed while projects funded by taxpayer dollars are being executed by non-local labor.
Mayor Carolyn Goodman acknowledged the importance of the unions' apprenticeship programs and the need for ongoing dialogue to ensure local workers are engaged in city projects. She encouraged collaboration between the city and union representatives to explore legislative options that could facilitate the implementation of CBAs.
The meeting underscored a growing concern among local labor organizations about the economic implications of outsourcing work to out-of-state contractors, with a unified call for the city council to take action to protect local jobs and ensure that community resources are utilized to benefit residents directly.
Vince Savedra, executive secretary treasurer of the Southern Nevada Building and Construction Trade Unions, emphasized the importance of CBAs, arguing that they would ensure local workers are prioritized for city-funded projects. He expressed frustration over the lack of traction on this issue, despite previous discussions with council members. \"I think the city should be able to make its own decisions on good merit,\" he stated.
Daniel Lincoln, a representative from District Council 16, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the struggles of local workers who are sidelined while out-of-state contractors dominate major projects in downtown Las Vegas. \"It should be unacceptable to all of you,\" he urged the council, calling for immediate action to support local labor.
Other union representatives, including Joe Moussa and Robert Diaz, reinforced the call for CBAs, stressing that local projects should benefit the community economically. They pointed out that many local workers are currently unemployed while projects funded by taxpayer dollars are being executed by non-local labor.
Mayor Carolyn Goodman acknowledged the importance of the unions' apprenticeship programs and the need for ongoing dialogue to ensure local workers are engaged in city projects. She encouraged collaboration between the city and union representatives to explore legislative options that could facilitate the implementation of CBAs.
The meeting underscored a growing concern among local labor organizations about the economic implications of outsourcing work to out-of-state contractors, with a unified call for the city council to take action to protect local jobs and ensure that community resources are utilized to benefit residents directly.
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