Multiple African American contractors rallied at a construction site to ask for more representation and jobs for African American workers.
Approximately 17 people walked onto the Bycor job site off Federal Boulevard and Euclid Avenue Tuesday morning. The National Black Contractors Association said the federally-funded site, where a Family Health Services building is going up, has hired no African Americans and excluded the workers for employment.
The Superintendent at the site said he knows of three black workers and has told the leader to send people to apply for open positions with Bycor.
One man was arrested for trespassing during the rally.
The ralliers said they have been shut out of the industry and African Americans have been excluded in the employment process.
A statement from Bycor CEO Scott Kaats said, in part, that Bycor is an equal opportunity employer and reached out to the 92105 community for bids.
“Bycor also reached to women owned business enterprises and minority owned business enterprises, as well as the disabled veteran community from the broader San Diego community,” the statement read.
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“We honor the low qualified bids in every category. Period," the statement said. "It is unfortunate that the BCA has departed from the facts on this project. Every opportunity was available to provide qualified bids on this project and we are satisfied that the right team was selected to build this Family Health Center.”
In the statement, Bycor also said the company has numerous African American employees as well as employees of other minorities.
