by DC Jobs with Justice | Jan 29, 2015 | Justice At Wings
Yesterday, another worker at Wings Enterprises went on strike to demand an end to racist discrimination and harassment, inadequate training, and unsafe working conditions. Why is a company with Wings’s long track record of wage theft, discrimination, and safety failures still getting work in our city? Yesterday’s action was at 660 North Capitol St, where Wings is helping build …take a guess….luxury...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Aug 21, 2012 | Campaigns, Justice At Wings
Today, dozens of members from the Justice at Wings Coalition – a coalition of faith, labor, civil and human rights organizations fighting to protect the labor rights of iron workers at Wings Enterprises – gathered across the main offices of the Smithsonian Institution demanding them to keep Wings off the upcoming National Museum of African American History and Culture. “We’ll not cease targeting the Smithsonian Institution until there is assurance that Wings Enterprises will not work at the African American Museum,” explained Mr. Ronnell Howard, one of the workers on strike from Wings Enterprises when talking to Linda St. Thomas, a spokesperson from the Smithsonian Institution. “I worked for Wings for four years and regardless of my hard work, Wings underpaid me, owing me over 10 thousand dollars. As an African- American and member of this community, I would be offended if the Smithsonian allows a company with such a bad record build the African American museum.” At the forefront of the Justice at Wings Coalition are workers who have been on strike from Wings since October 2009, protesting Wings’ history of safety problems, including violations of OSHA regulations; low wages on private projects; violations of laws that mandate good wages on public projects; and retaliation against workers who want to improve conditions; among other issues. Picture: Left to Right: workers on strike from Wings Ronnell Howard, Executive Director of DC Jobs with Justice Nikki Daruwala, Rev. John Graham from Grace Presbyterian Church in DC, and labor organizer from Local 201 JC Recinos. For example, Wings was cited twice by the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) for Davis-Bacon...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Jul 27, 2012 | Actions & Events, Get Involved, Justice At Wings
The Justice at Wings coalition needs your support Thursday, August 2nd at 8am. They are targeting the Smithsonian Institution for not standing up for workers. The Coalition knows that Wings Enterprises is trying to work at the African American Museum project. The Coalition approached the Smithsonian and provided them with the binder of evidence showing that Wings has a history of labor and OSHA violations. Their response was simple: we are leaving everything up to our general contractors Clark/Smoot/Russell. This response is unacceptable; indeed, very disappointing. PLAN: The Justice at Wings Coalition as they demand leadership from the Smithsonian on the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The Coalition will have an action in front of the office of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Mr. Wayne Clough. DATE: Thursday August 2 at 8AM LOCATION: Smithsonian Institution on 1000 Jefferson Dr SW DC 20560. This is a few steps away from the Smithsonian metro station. For more information contact: Natali Fani-González, Office: 202.787.1813...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Nov 28, 2009 | Campaigns, Justice At Wings, Projects, Student Labor Outreach Project
Taking time from cramming for mid-terms, students from the George Washington (GW) University and members of DC Jobs with Justice’s Student Labor Action Project joined striking Wings workers on a delegation to the university to demand that the institution take action to ensure a rapid resolution of the strike. rnrnWorkers at Wings are know as “rodmen” and do the tough work of placing the reinforcing steel in the concrete structure of buildings. The company – the biggest of its type in the region – does work on campuses around the area, including University of Maryland – College Mark and George Mason University, in addition to GW.rnrn”In 2008 I suffered an accident on the job,” explained Mauricio, one of the striking workers. “I was working on a wall and the foreman asked me to come down to the floor. I was descending slowly but the foreman shouted at me that I should come down more quickly. When I jumped down I seriously injured my left foot and left shin. The company did not offer to provide any medical attention, pay for the days I missed or compensate me for my injury.” rnrnStudents also requested that the company launch an investigation into working conditions for Wings workers on the Square 54 construction site, which is being managed by Boston Properties and Clark Construction Group. “As GW students, it’s important to us that the workers building our facilities are treated fairly,” said Aaron Keshner, a student at GW and leader of the Progressive Student Union. “We had a good discussion with the president’s office, and will work to ensure that they follow...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Nov 28, 2009 | Campaigns, Justice At Wings, Projects
In late October, a small but committed band of rodmen – construction workers who place the reinforcing steel in the concrete structure of buildings, bridges, power plants, etc – walked off the job at Wings Enterprises. While many of the striker’s demands are familiar — a living wage, benefits and a respectful workplace – they’re also demanding drinking water and basic safety equipment. The strike has become the foundation for the Justice at Wings campaign, which brings together the striking workers with the DC Student Labor Action Project, Interfaith Worker Justice of Greater Washington, DC Jobs with Justice and the DC Workers’ Rights Board. rnrnDC JwJ and other allies have organized a series of actions to support the workers, including meetings with DC Councilmember and delegations to Wings’ clients. Although the current strike involves a handful of local rodmen, it has broader implications both locally and nationally. Wings, one of the largest rebar contractors in metro Washington, specializes in concrete reinforcement and crane erection/dismantlement for both public and private projects. Current projects include the Dulles Metrorail Extension, Square 54, George Washington University and the garage at National Airport. rnrnWings does not provide health insurance for its workers, one of whom, Adan (last names are being withheld to protect the worker’s confidentiality) noted that “the work we do is very difficult and dangerous. I have a family that depends on me, and when I get sick, I don’t have any medical insurance.” The striking workers also say the company awards work based on favoritism. “The foremen favor friends and family over the rest of the workers,” says Elmer, another striker....
