Workers Defense Project-Building Austin, Building Injustice-Press Release 1/2


Combining results from surveys of more than 300 Austin construction workers and industry-related data from federal and state agencies, the 68-page study, “Building Austin, Building Injustice,” depicts an industry rampant with poor and dangerous working conditions. Although many builders, developers and contractors are model employers, the study notes, others cut costs by not paying some workers for overtime, not paying some at all, misclassifying others as independent contractors, and failing to provide proper safety equipment such as harnesses and helmets, violations of federal and state regulations. “The report is just shocking in the way that it shows how the industry (in Austin) is really rife with these conditions that are pretty deplorable in terms of safety and health issues,” said Richard Heyman, a UT professor and an adviser and researcher on the study. A specialist in urban development studies, Heyman said the report reveals systemic, structural failures. Major findings: Though overtime work in the construction industry is common, half of workers who did so reported receiving no overtime pay, a violation of wage and hour laws. Nearly four in 10 workers were misclassified as independent contractors, denying them legal protections to overtime pay, workers’ compensation coverage and benefits. Sixty-four percent said they had received no basic health or safety training provided by OSHA. The training is voluntary. A majority of workers lacked employer-based health …

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Published by: Admin on July 5th, 2010 | Filed under Attorneys Personal Injury



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