3/30/2005 Union bricklayers representing the northern 46 counties in California will be picketing Recon Refractory Services at the Criterion Catalyst Technologies Plant in Pittsburg, CA on April 1 at 7:00 am, and again for the week of April 4, 2005, to express their concerns that Recon Refractory Services does not meet safety, area wage, and benefit standards. The Criterion Catalyst Technologies Plant in Pittsburg is located at 2840 Willow Pass Road off Highway 4 at Bailey Road.
The Bricklayers and Allied Craftsworkers Local #3 of Northern CA have a NLRB Settlement in regards to this contractor. Work being performed at this time by Recon is in violation of the settlement. In light of the recent events at BP oil refinery in Texas City, Texas, Union organizers contend that Recons practices could expose plant personnel and the local community to unnecessary risk. "Fifteen people died and eight more are in critical condition at area hospitals. At least 100 people were injured, officials said. The massive blast shook buildings and broke windows for miles around and sent a huge cloud of black smoke billowing into the sky. Refinery equipment and buildings nearby were leveled, leaving a rubble-filled landscape reminiscent of a war zone at the 1,200-acre complex 35 miles southeast of Houston" According to reports on Labor Net, a spokesperson for the Pipefitters stated the tragedy was caused by the use of non-union personnel who are untrained and unskilled for this type of work.
Read More