Asbestos, Lead and Mold Abatement Workers, Laborers International Union, Local 67

Organized Labor

Asbestos, Lead and Mold Abatement Workers, Laborers International Union, Local 67
Wrapping it up and putting it in a bag

“The job is putting all the nasty stuff in a huge bag.” Abatement worker Supervisor Luis Gomez The work of Laborers Local 67 is environmental remediation. They remove or contain asbestos, lead, mold, and other toxic materials. They start by securing their work space to prevent containments from leaking into the environment, sealing off the workspace with plastic sheeting. They sometimes wrap plastic around entire buildings. Local 67 member Luis Gomez once wrapped up an entire power plant in plastic. These plastic containments, resembling huge tents, are then attached to massive negative air machines with HEPA filters, to trap the airborne particles. The workers' job is not only to remove the pollutants, but also to maintain a safe work environment for their fellow building trades workers. Even a single nail through a wall can leak asbestos into the environment, where it can have a time-bomb effect on someone's health. Local 67 workers keep this from happening. Local 67 represents almost 1200 members in northern California. On the Job Site visited Local 67 members working for Restec Contractors Inc on the renovation of a senior housing project run by Cahill Construction., and then visited a project run by Alarcon and Bohm removing lead and asbestos during the demolition and renovation of classrooms at Abraham Lincoln High School.