Report: 'Coyotes' Sneak Laborers Onto Job Sites

Wednesday, November 20, 2019 | 0

Labor brokers are sneaking unreported workers being paid cash onto construction projects throughout Utah, according to a report by a Fox affiliate in Salt Lake City.

Patrick Bieker, lead union representative for the Southern Regional Council of Carpenters, alleges most of the workers on job sites weren’t hired by the general contractor or even a subcontractor, but by third parties.

“We refer to them as ‘coyotes,’ or labor brokers,” Bieker said.

The brokers don’t pay for workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or taxes, Bieker said.

“It’s just a constant race to the bottom,” he said. “Let’s make sure everybody’s getting screwed.”

Bieker has reportedly hired anonymous informants working on job sites throughout Utah to take pictures of their weekly payments. Typically, the workers are paid cash with no pay stubs or deductions for taxes.

State Sen. Karen Mayne, D-West Valley City, told the television station she plans to introduce legislation next year to increase fines for illegal employment practices.