Construction workers picketed Wednesday in front of the Crawford Power Generating Station in Little Village just months after the coal plant was acquired by Hilco Redevelopment Partners.
The Laborers of Local 225 protested Hilco’s subcontractor, BB Enterprises, for failure to pay employees area standards for wages for asbestos abatement.
Additionally, workers say BB Enterprises is hiring recent arrivals from Puerto Rico and underpaying them to keep wages down.
“They’re bringing in new people from Puerto Rico and paying them less money. That’s not right, that’s not fair. After what happened in Puerto Rico, it’s an injustice. We’re just trying to make this right,” said Local 225 officer Roberto Perez.
Hilco did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Little Village Environmental Organization (LVEJO) has been advocating for union jobs and environmental justice at the site.
“Today LVEJO learned from Laborers Local 225 about BB Enterprise, a Hilco subcontractor, that is failing to pay its employees for wages and benefits… The Local cannot confirm safe working conditions,” said LVEJO director Kimberly Wasserman.
Wasserman called on local officials to ensure good and safe jobs.
The power plant in Little Village is set to be demolished in the next 12 to 24 months and replaced with 21st-century warehouses to process internet orders in Chicago.
Hilco said in February they are working on a community benefits agreement for the Crawford site with 22nd Ward Ald. Ricardo Munoz.
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