Posted: 8:21 PM, Feb 05, 2019
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) – Construction workers and Metro Council Members gathered at the steps of the Historic Metro Courthouse Tuesday night, denouncing what they call “legal attacks” made by general contractor Skanska.
Workers who helped build the J.W. Marriott in downtown Nashville are part of an ongoing labor dispute against two drywall subcontractors hired by Skanska, a company currently building the Fifth + Broadway development downtown. At least one hundred workers say they are still owed two weeks worth of pay.
Advocates say a group of affected workers and community supporters visited Skanska’s offices in December, and were promised a follow up meeting.
But days later, advocates say names of some of the workers appeared in counter-lawsuit against their original mechanic’s liens claims.
“We believe that in our city all workers deserve good working conditions and it is our duty to ensure that their rights are upheld, protected, and that we in this city start creating more and more enforcement mechanisms to do exactly that,” said Metro Council member Fabian Bedne.
Cesar Ramirez, an affected J.W. Marriott worker, said: “We won’t stop until justice is made here, we feel betrayed that after giving [Skanska regional Vice President Dennis Georgatos] the benefit of the doubt, and believing that Skanska truly wanted a positive resolution, what we got in return, was one more attack in court.”
Workers and community supporters are demanding back pay from Skanska, and for the company to drop their counter-suit.