Intel construction workers to stay home during Obama visit

by Colin Smith/KTAR (January 25th, 2012 @ 3:22pm)

(Photo: Colin Smith/KTAR)

CHANDLER, Ariz. - As President Obama visits the Phoenix area Wednesday, some construction workers said he is costing them a day's pay.

More than 1,500 workers were asked to stay home for security reasons as the president toured the future site of a $5-billion Intel manufacturing facility in Chandler.

The workers will not be paid for the forced day off.

"In the long-term, it's not a workday lost," said Intel spokesman Gary Niekerk. "There might be a short-term impact in pay but over the length of the project this should be worked out. Similar to inclement weather, the work must be made up."

But some workers -- who put in six, ten-hour days every week -- disagree. Several expressed their frustration over losing out on 20 percent of their paycheck.

"[The president] is here to talk about jobs and the economy and yet he's forcing middle-class people right out of work for a day," said a worker who contacted KTAR. "We're losing an overtime day. It hurts."

The worker refused to give his name.

Neikirk said Intel invited some workers to the event, and the company held a raffle to determine who would get the chance to meet Obama.

"I understand that frustration but it's a big day, a big celebration and they should be proud that they are working on a project that is significant enough to bring the President of the United States here," Neikirk said.

A spokesman for the project's general contractor, Oregon- based Hoffman Construction, highlighted the project's impact.

"Intel's creating a lot of jobs in and around [the Phoenix area], both in construction and otherwise," said Hoffman Vice President Bart Eberwein.

When completed in 2013, the facility will feature some of the world's most sophisticated semiconductor technology.

City of Chandler officials said the expansion in Chandler is the largest single construction project in the world after the work in the United Kingdom to prepare for the London Olympics.