Southern Nevada Homebuilders' Water Position All Wet
November 14, 2003
(Las Vegas, NV) – Teamsters Local 631 and other unions in the RSL (Raising the Standard of Liberty) Coalition are staging a rally on Wednesday, November 19, to raise awareness about the water shortage and other environmental issues. At a November 5 rally, union members demanded that "smart growth" should replace "hyper-development" in light of the region’s persistent drought. However, the protest prompted the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association to smear the unions. "While the homebuilding industry is voicing its obvious aversion to unionizing residential construction, their answer to the real issue is ‘no grass,’ inferring that smaller yards will solve the problem,” said Ray Isner, Political Coordinator for Local 631. “We feel that this sound bite is no more than an attempt to divert attention from their substantial profits derived from uncontrolled growth.” Allied with Las Vegas residents who are presently facing water rationing, the Teamsters and the RSL Coalition are fighting for all Nevadans who are concerned with builders’ plans to create 23,000 homes in 2004 without taking steps to address the water supply problem. "Why should residents, including fixed-income retirees and low-income families, have to subsidize the already lucrative homebuilding industry?" Isner asked. "Shouldn't there be a plan that defines responsibility for the water problem, which we already know exists, before we make a bad situation worse?" The next rally will take place on the steps of the Clark County Commissioners’ office November 19, 2003, at 11 a.m. Union representatives will outline a plan to protect jobs, engage smart growth and finance the water supply without imposing more restrictions and increased rates on existing Nevada residents. The Commissioners’ office is located at Government Center, 500 South Grand Central Parkway, Las Vegas.
Southern Nevada Homebuilders' Water Position All Wet
Las Vegas Teamsters Local 631 Will Rally Again November 19