Voices Raised, Standards Defended: DC 11 Rally for Justice in Norwalk
“This is about dignity. This is about safety. This is about the future of construction in Connecticut.”
That was the message loud and clear at our DC 11-led rally on Saturday, May 3rd, when union members, elected officials, and community leaders gathered outside the Norwalk Housing Authority project to call out AP Construction for labor violations and demand accountability on public works.
From the sidewalk to the podium, this was more than a protest—it was a collective stand for fair labor, ethical contracting, and the belief that public housing projects should serve the public good, not private greed.
A Powerful Showing of Solidarity
“This is a public project that’s supposed to uplift the community—not exploit it.”
The energy on site was undeniable. The rally brought out a spirited and diverse group of attendees, united in their call for justice on the job site. Some of our elected officials supporting the rally include:
Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-25)
Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling
Norwalk Common Council President & Mayoral Candidate Barbara Smyth
CT State Building Trades Council Executive Director Joe Toner
CT AFL-CIO President Ed Hawthorne & Communications Director David Dal Zin
State Senator & IUPAT Organizer Jorge Cabrera (D-17)
Fairfield County Building Trades President Dan McInerney
Former Bridgeport Mayor and Senator Bill Finch
Norwalk Housing Authority Director Adam Bovilsky
These leaders echoed a shared message: when workers are misclassified, paid cash under the table, and denied safety and dignity, we all lose. As Senator Cabrera put it:
DC 11 Local 481 Business Rep Mark Davidson, Union Sister of Local 186 Delmy Hernandez, Local 1333 Business Rep Joe Fazzino, elected officials, Union members and their families, community members.
Why It Matters: The Stakes Are Higher Than One Job Site
This isn’t just about Norwalk. What’s happening here reflects a systemic pattern—contractors cutting corners, abusing workers, and undercutting responsible union labor to pad their profits. That model is unsustainable, unethical, and illegal.
When public dollars fund projects like this one, taxpayers expect transparency, accountability, and high standards. That means:
Wages paid legally and fairly
Workers trained, protected, and insured
Jobs that build up communities, not wear people down
The rally made it clear: we will not stay silent while contractors exploit the very people building our cities.
“One young man said he had worked on the site, making $150 a day, without knowing who was officially paying him or having any paperwork.”
-Nancy on Norwalk
Real Impact, Real Lives
Many of the workers on the Norwalk site are immigrants and non-union laborers, who were reportedly misclassified as independent contractors and paid in cash—denying them workers’ comp, overtime protections, and long-term stability. These practices don’t just violate labor law—they harm families, increase injury risk, and drive down standards for everyone.
This is not a gray area. It’s wage theft. And it’s happening on a public housing project—meant to serve low-income families, not squeeze profit from vulnerable workers.
This Is What Leadership Looks Like
We are deeply grateful for the elected officials and labor allies who showed up— with clear commitments to hold bad actors accountable. It’s moments like this that show what leadership looks like: listening to workers, showing up in person, and using political power to push for real change.
We also recognize our members and organizers, whose relentless efforts brought this issue to light and organized the power to make it visible. The rally was a reminder that union power works—and when we speak up together, people listen.
Take Action: Be Part of the Movement
🎯 Join the Volunteer Organizing Committee (VOC) to help monitor sites, educate the public, and build lasting change across the finishing trades. Whether you’re a worker, community ally, or someone who believes in justice—we need you in this fight.
This rally was just the beginning. Investigations are underway. The public is paying attention. But it’s going to take all of us to keep the pressure on and ensure that every job is a fair job.
Together, we’re not just changing job sites—we’re changing what’s possible.
Raise Your Voice: Sign the Petition
This fight doesn’t end at the job site. We need every voice—yours included—to demand that the Norwalk Housing Authority and AP Construction comply with local labor standards.
✍️ Add your name to the petition and show that Connecticut stands with its workers:
Together, we’re building a stronger, safer, and more just future for the trades.
