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Glendale Concrete Contractor Accused of Unpaid Wages
By Eduardo Barraza
BARRIOZONA
November 11, 2008
Phoenix, AZ. – 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."
Copyright © 2008 Hispanic Institute of Social Issues
BARRIOZONA
November 11, 2008
Phoenix, AZ. – 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."
Copyright © 2008 Hispanic Institute of Social Issues
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Jostes Concrete Threatens to Call Sheriff if Workers Protest
