The 28 carpenters were being forced to work seven days a week, 12 hours per day, with only 30 minutes for lunch at noon. The firings took place after they began to seek union representation by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. The union says Baker Concrete has a long history of discriminating against, interrogating, and discharging employees who want to join the union.

"I’m here because there was an unjust firing of 30 people. We have to speak out," stated Nicky Drury, a 15-year member of the Carpenters union.

"This is a workers’ rights issue," said business agent Michael Johnson. "The workers were getting shorted on overtime pay. They only got a half hour break in a 12-hour shift. We’re just asking for Baker to comply with the law."

Edwin Garcia, a construction worker and union member, said that with firings such as those at Baker, "You never know who could be next. Whenever something like this happens, it’s important to come out and show our support for other workers."

Fifteen garment workers on strike against Point Blank Body Armor in Oakland Park, just north of Miami, extended their solidarity with the carpenters shouting "Si se puede!" [Yes we can]. The garment workers have been organizing to force the company to recognize the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees. The strike began after the company fired several pro-union workers at the plant.

The Carpenters union has filed complaints of possible fraud with the Office of the Attorney General and with the Department of Business Development of Miami-Dade County against Baker Construction. This filing notes 280 violations of overtime pay regulations alone.

A flyer distributed by the Carpenters union lists other issues, including the company’s repeated denial of workers compensation benefits and medical treatment to workers. Baker recently settled a discrimination case filed by a female employee with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission.  
 
 
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