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Glendale Concrete Contractor Accused of Unpaid Wages
Phoenix, Arizona – According to Pueblo Center for Legal and Human
Rights, former and current employees of Jostes Concrete -a Glendale,
Arizona-based contractor-cancelled a scheduled protest upon
receiving news from luxury-home builder T.W. Lewis that as
requested they will stop doing business with its subcontractor,
Jostes Concrete, who allegedly owes workers thousands of dollars in
unpaid wages.
Pueblo states workers are pleased to learn of the action taken by T.
W. Lewis after a letter was sent to the builder. However, workers
are angered at the position being taken by their former employer,
Todd A. Jostes. For months Jostes workers -who claim they are
collectively owed over $50,000- have been demanding payment.
According to them, Jostes gives checks for $100 or $200 every pay
period. When they realize they are not going to be paid in full, Jostes
simply hires new workers with the promise of paying them.
In addition to the allegation of denying payment to his former
employers, the group states Jostes has also threatened to call the
Sheriff if any protests take place.
According to public information obtained by Barriozona, Jostes
Concrete Inc., is already a defendant in a civil suit case presented by
Suncoast Post-Tension LP., based on a complaint of an unpaid
contract debt. Jostes Concrete Inc., is also the plaintiff on another
law suit against Richmond American Homes of Arizona Inc., for an
alleged unpaid debt. The concrete company is also a defendant in
yet another civil case presented on October 2008 by BJB Grading
Inc., for an alleged unpaid open account.
"We have made him wealthier through our hard work and now he
wants to threaten us for attempting to practice our freedom of
expression," said Raul Peralvillo, a former employee of Jostes
Concrete and one of the lead organizers. "We will not be intimidated
into not fighting for what is ours. If he wants to call the Sheriff, then
let him, we will not back down and will continue our struggle,"
Peralvillo added.
"We thank T.W. Lewis for taking the right action and for seeking
resolution of this issue," said Ray Ybarra, an organizer with Pueblo
Center for Legal and Human Rights. "Unfortunately, the workers are
still owed thousands of dollars. We will speak with others who
contract with Jostes Concrete until the workers are paid in full."
Jostes workers in collaboration with Pueblo and other community
members held a press conference on Tuesday, November 11 to
announce their plans for future actions, and to denounce the
supposed exploitation of workers by companies such as Jostes
Concrete. According to the group, "the outrageous intimidation
tactics of people such as Todd Jostes' will not be tolerated."
Rights, former and current employees of Jostes Concrete -a Glendale,
Arizona-based contractor-cancelled a scheduled protest upon
receiving news from luxury-home builder T.W. Lewis that as
requested they will stop doing business with its subcontractor,
Jostes Concrete, who allegedly owes workers thousands of dollars in
unpaid wages.
Pueblo states workers are pleased to learn of the action taken by T.
W. Lewis after a letter was sent to the builder. However, workers
are angered at the position being taken by their former employer,
Todd A. Jostes. For months Jostes workers -who claim they are
collectively owed over $50,000- have been demanding payment.
According to them, Jostes gives checks for $100 or $200 every pay
period. When they realize they are not going to be paid in full, Jostes
simply hires new workers with the promise of paying them.
In addition to the allegation of denying payment to his former
employers, the group states Jostes has also threatened to call the
Sheriff if any protests take place.
According to public information obtained by Barriozona, Jostes
Concrete Inc., is already a defendant in a civil suit case presented by
Suncoast Post-Tension LP., based on a complaint of an unpaid
contract debt. Jostes Concrete Inc., is also the plaintiff on another
law suit against Richmond American Homes of Arizona Inc., for an
alleged unpaid debt. The concrete company is also a defendant in
yet another civil case presented on October 2008 by BJB Grading
Inc., for an alleged unpaid open account.
"We have made him wealthier through our hard work and now he
wants to threaten us for attempting to practice our freedom of
expression," said Raul Peralvillo, a former employee of Jostes
Concrete and one of the lead organizers. "We will not be intimidated
into not fighting for what is ours. If he wants to call the Sheriff, then
let him, we will not back down and will continue our struggle,"
Peralvillo added.
"We thank T.W. Lewis for taking the right action and for seeking
resolution of this issue," said Ray Ybarra, an organizer with Pueblo
Center for Legal and Human Rights. "Unfortunately, the workers are
still owed thousands of dollars. We will speak with others who
contract with Jostes Concrete until the workers are paid in full."
Jostes workers in collaboration with Pueblo and other community
members held a press conference on Tuesday, November 11 to
announce their plans for future actions, and to denounce the
supposed exploitation of workers by companies such as Jostes
Concrete. According to the group, "the outrageous intimidation
tactics of people such as Todd Jostes' will not be tolerated."
By Eduardo Barraza November 11, 2008
Jostes workers in collaboration with
Pueblo and other community
members held a press conference to
denounce the alleged abuses and to
announce furthers actions.
Photo courtesy of Pueblo
Pueblo and other community
members held a press conference to
denounce the alleged abuses and to
announce furthers actions.
Photo courtesy of Pueblo
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Published by the Hispanic Institute of Social Issues in Phoenix, Arizona
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Eduardo Barraza is a journalist and writer,
Barriozona Magazine's editor, and director of
the Hispanic Insitute of Social Issues.
E-mail: editor@barriozona.com
Barriozona Magazine's editor, and director of
the Hispanic Insitute of Social Issues.
E-mail: editor@barriozona.com
