April 6, 2008 — The Senate Committee on Labor met Friday to discuss allegations that Island Mechanical Contractors, Inc. and Crosstech Company are not hiring enough locals.
Sen. Juan Figueroa-Serville, committee chairman, heard from constituents that Island Mechanical Contractors (IMC) was bringing workers from Florida and Crosstech supposedly brought workers from Puerto Rico. It is alleged that they didn't register at the Department of Labor and local qualified workers aren't being hired.
The senator asked the Department of Labor to investigate.
"We want to get this out on the table," said Figueroa-Serville. "We need to make amendments to strengthen the letter of the law to protect local workers."
Neither company was at the meeting. Britain Bryant, the lawyer for IMC, sent a letter saying he would discuss his client's business privately.
V.I. law requires that casinos, companies operating under Economic Development Commission guidelines, and some companies contracting with the government, hire a certain amount of local workers. But many businesses have complained of a dearth of qualified workers in the V.I.
The V.I. Code also requires that all job vacancies be registered with the Department of Labor.
Glen Smith, deputy commissioner of labor, testified for Albert Bryan, commissioner of Department of Labor, who came later. Smith said IMC is a subcontractor of the V.I. Water and Power Authority contracted to install a recovery boiler at the Richmond plant.
The Department of Labor received reports the company was not listing jobs at the department.
The department found sufficient evidence to justify a probable cause letter to the commissioner of Licensing and Consumer Affairs.
The department also conducted an investigation of Crosstech, a subcontractor of the Renaissance group that performed turnaround work at the refinery. The department records show the company hired six of 33 who were referred by job services.
WAPA Executive Director Hugo Hodge said in a prepared statement that IMC's contract does not stipulate local hiring.
Hodge also said IMC acknowledged earlier in the year that because of shortage of personnel, it was delinquent in filing of vacancy information with the Department of Labor. He added since then they have been able to comply with legal requirements.
Hodge went on to say IMC has expressed frustration with the shortage of qualified labors sent to them for consideration by the Department of Labor.
Local pipefitters Franklin Clouden, Joachim Edwards and Robert Edwards also voiced their concerns over the hiring practices of the companies.
"No immediate action will be taken now," Sen. Terrence "Positive" Nelson said. "But I am hoping for better enforcement and regulations from the Department of Labor."
Sens. Basil Ottley, Ronald Russell, Liston Davis, Louis P. Hill and Usie Richards also attended the hearing.
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