Engineers News: Bringing it home, Sept. 2015

College town construction
Early work on Rohnert Park's University District
Story and photos by John O. Matos, associate editor
“I like running the big iron,” said 13-year member/Excavator
Operator Brian Edwards.
He had been doing exactly that while digging mainline along
Cotati Avenue in Rohnert Park for Argonaut Constructors. This work
is part of the ongoing development of the 260-acre University District
surrounding Sonoma State University that started early this year. Once
completed, the development will include over 1,200 single-family
homes, a 7-acre commercial center, two public parks and over three
miles of trails linking the area’s schools and businesses.
University towns are known for being focal points of activity, with
a strong need for housing, business, cultural venues and recreational
areas driving constant development, maintenance and improvement.
In Rohnert Park, this is evident from the work on the Green Music
Center’s outdoor amphitheater that Engineers News recently reported
on, as well as area paving jobs and the University District development.
What makes this area unique, however, is the widespread awareness
among the community’s residents that such work must be fairly
compensated and performed under the best possible conditions, and
that workers must be treated well. That is exactly what this community
can expect from the union labor being done by signatory contractors
like Argonaut, Ghilotti Brothers and others.
“There is open communication,” said Foreman Lucas Doherty about
working for Argonaut. “The company is willing to listen to anyone who
has a good idea.”
Having a say at the workplace is only one of the many ways
working union ensures a better working environment for our members,
however.
“You get good pay and don’t have to worry because our union takes
good care of you,” said Operator Clay Skilling.
Part of the reason members don’t have to worry is because Local
Excavator Operator
Rickie Cox.
14 | Engineers News