Hearing delayed on labor practice at Point Ruston

Summary

A National Labor Relations Board hearing over the firing of workers who publicized working conditions at a Superfund site development near Tacoma has been delayed as the parties try to reach a settlement.

Story Published: Mar 23, 2009 at 3:31 PM PST

Story Updated: Mar 23, 2009 at 3:31 PM PST

SEATTLE (AP) - A National Labor Relations Board hearing over the firing of workers who publicized working conditions at a Superfund site development near Tacoma has been delayed as the parties try to reach a settlement.

The Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters filed the complaint against Rain City Contractors of Lakewood.

Last summer, workers hired by Rain City at an upscale mixed-use development at Point Ruston, a former Asarco smelter site along Tacoma's Commencement Bay, appeared on a YouTube video detailing what they described as hazardous working conditions. They said they had been given no training on how to protect themselves while working in contaminated soils, and had been told to wear badges that belonged to other Latino workers who had been trained.

The carpenter's union says the company retaliated by firing several people it believed were involved in production of the video. The company denies the allegations.

A hearing was rescheduled from Monday until Wednesday.