‘We will remain united and strong’: San Jose recycling drivers allege union busting tactics

THE CONSTRUCTION DRIVERS who do the cleanup on some of San Jose’s major development projects say they aren’t asking for much — they just want safe working conditions and their full wages paid.

Drivers at said their demands are not being met and that contract negotiations have stalled since September. Ramon Castillo, a union leader at the East San Jose construction debris hauling and recycling company, believes it’s because management is more interested in breaking up the union than meeting workers half way. Drivers also voiced concerns over safety and wage theft claims, falsification of union votes, unwarranted surveillance and a general environment of hostility, among other unfair labor practices — and its caught the eye of some city leaders.