They lost three co-workers in a deadly collapse in West Campus. Tonight, dozens of constructions workers say they're victims, too.
21 Rio is where this evening's protest ended with a prayer, and some say a prayer is about all two dozen workers have when it comes to securing back wages they earned here and downtown.
June 10Th of last year. Three construction workers are killed when the scaffolding they were on collapsed at the 21 Rio work site. Gumercindo Rodriguez was on that scaffolding when it fell, but he was able to jump to safety. While his injuries were minor he says memories of the accident make it difficult for him to do his job. He's also one of two dozen workers who collectively are owed about 120 thousand dollars in back wages for work done at 21 Rio and another luxury condo. The workers defense project says at the moment, developers have offered to pay only about 15 percent.
"It's been a year since we did this work and they haven't even offered us anything significant," said Rodriguez through a translator.
Rodriguez joined other workers and protesters from various community groups in a March from Duncan Park near West 9Th down to Gables Park Plaza near Cesar Chavez, the second luxury condos development which the Workers Defense Project claims owes the workers back wages.
"In the end Gables residential, 21 Rio management is benefiting from the work of these workers, they're making millions of dollars every month," said Emily Timm, the policy advocate for the Workers Defense Project.
But not everyone agreed the on-site protest was the best way to convey the workers message.
"I tried to talk to these people, they do not' want to talk they want to rattle their little noise makers, get on their megaphones, I feel sorry for people that, it's political theater, the courthouse is over there at 11Th and Guadalupe, that's where this stuff gets settled," said William Curtis, a Gables Park Plaza resident.
Our attempts to reach the legal counsel representing the developers were unsuccessful.
