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07/13/2009 10:17 PM

Home construction workers protest to unionize

By: News 8 Austin Staff

A group trying to help construction workers unite was in Austin Monday protesting outside a KB Home board member's office.

The Laborers' International Union of North America brought workers and homeowners to Texas.

Their members want to change working conditions and to bring homebuilder accountability with KB Home to Texas. KB Homes is one of the country's largest builders.

"We talked to a lot of people who desperately want something done here to form some kind of organization, a union," construction worker Jose Paredes said. "We want more people to get involved so people can have more rights, more benefits, which they don't have right now in the state of Texas."

Those with the union said they are trying to speak to KB board members across the country.

The group was never let on to the premises to speak with local board member Kenneth Jastrow.

Another protest is planned in Austin on Thursday.