OXNARD : Drywall Workers Picket Building Site

Drywall workers picketed a construction site in Oxnard on Thursday, although a labor agreement was reached two days earlier with many of Southern California’s largest drywall subcontractors.

About 120 workers picketed a residential subdivision under construction at Vineyard Avenue and Ventura Road, said Tony Hernandez, spokesman for the drywall workers who initiated a strike in June.

On Tuesday, 39 drywall subcontractors in Southern California approved a union agreement, and more are expected to sign the contract with the International Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners.

Hernandez said workers will continue to picket sites where companies have not yet signed. He said the picketers are rotating among sites in Oxnard and Camarillo.

Clayne Brown, co-owner of Golden State Drywall Inc., said the picketing began two weeks ago at the Vineyard Avenue site where his company is doing work. He said picketers have threatened his employees and vandalized their cars.

Brown said he and his partner are trying to get information about the contract to determine whether they will sign it. He said they would probably decide by today.

The drywall workers went on strike for higher wages, union representation and health insurance benefits. Under the agreement the average worker’s pay will climb from $300 a week to $400 or $500. Health insurance will be funded equally by employer and worker.

In return, the strikers are expected to drop their lawsuits against the drywall companies. The suits allege that the companies did not pay overtime, in violation of labor laws.