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May 18, 2009

Pipeline company rebuts picketers’ claims of substandard wages

By Cristin Ross

cross@jacksonvilleprogress.com

It isn’t the first time union members have picketed Willbros Group as the company builds pipelines across the nation — and it won’t be the last, according to Harry New, project director for the natural gas pipeline crossing Cherokee County.

Work began in March on Energy Transfer’s 143-mile natural gas pipeline, which passes through northern Cherokee County on its way to Minden from Maypearl. Officials with Willbros Group, the construction company building the pipeline, have said they will employ as many as 1,200 workers at its peak.

At least two union groups have been picketing Willbros Group’s local headquarters on State Highway 204 in protest of the company’s hiring practices.

“We’ve been picketed at several locations over the years,” New said.

New said some of the reasons this particular picket line formed aren’t true — specifically allegations concerning the company’s employment pools and pay scales.

“All the people we hire are legal to work in the U.S.,” New said. “We’ve also implemented a 401k and offer benefits. It’s up to the employee to elect to take advantage of them.”

New explained Willbros Group is an “open-shop” contractor, meaning it doesn’t as a rule hire through a union.

“That’s just been the history of the company, to hire non-union,” he said. “It’s always been that way.”

New said, while most crew bosses usually bring in some of their own people to work at various job sites, the company will hire qualified local residents as needed.

“A lot of our crews work with a core group of workers,” New said. “They already know they’re qualified and can do what’s needed. That’s just up to the foreman. But anytime we need laborers or other personnel, we’re always glad to hire people from the area who are certified and can do the job.”

Willbros officials have said the project in Cherokee County should be fully operational by Sept. 1, weather permitting.

The pipeline’s economic impact is already being felt by at least one Cherokee County city.

Jacksonville officials reported this month’s state sales tax allocations were up, despite the recession. Jacksonville City Manager Mo Raissi credits some of the increase on the economic impact of workers from the pipeline.

“The pipeliners are definitely making the difference,” Raissi said in an earlier interview. “Considering the economic troubles that everyone is having, this is the perfect time for (the company to be in Cherokee County); it is really helping us through a tough time.”



Kelly Young contributed to this article.

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