PORT HUENEME : Workers Protest Hires From Out of State
About 25 local construction workers, chanting “Exxon shut us out,” rallied at the Port of Hueneme on Monday to protest the hiring of out-of-state workers to assemble two new oil rig platforms.
Most of the protesters carried signs and yelled at cars approaching the port entrance, where out-of-state workers hired by McDermott Inc. of Morgan City, La., were due to arrive that afternoon.
“The economy is down,” said Fillmore resident Steve Petroff, who waved a sign that said “Hire Local Workers.”
“It’s not only us, it’s everybody,” said Petroff, a member of the International Assn. of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers Local 433.
Richard Bromser, business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 952, said he was upset because the electrical portion of the McDermott contract could have kept 50 men working for eight months.
“I’m protesting because the electricians are coming in from out of state to do the work and we have people here who have been unemployed for months,” he said. “Local jobs for local people. . . . This is what we’re pushing for.”
William J. Buenger, deputy executive director of the Oxnard Harbor District, urged the protesters to move to Berth 1, where the McDermott workers were expected to meet, because residents were complaining about the noise.
Buenger said McDermott was bringing in workers from Louisiana to carry out a “multimillion-dollar” contract with Exxon Co. USA.
“I think these people have a legitimate concern,” Buenger said.
Exxon spokeswoman Connie Clay would not confirm the amount of the McDermott contract, but said her company “opens up the bids to all companies in all areas.” McDermott officials were unavailable for comment.
The protest, organized by the Ventura County Building & Construction Trades Council, began at noon, just before the McDermott workers were scheduled to arrive. The rally continued for more than three hours, with the protesters still awaiting the workers by midafternoon.
