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‘Raise high the roof beam, Carpenters’
The forklift moves slowly, maneuvering into position to lower the hefty beam into place atop the new Bolsa Knolls Middle School multipurpose room. On the ground, Jarrod Skow, Local 405, guides the beam with a long rope, carefully helping position it for the two carpenters who will secure it in place. Fifteen beams are already in place on one end of the gym-like building, and the team moves efficiently along, every man playing his part, steady as they go.  Jay Ralston, Local 605, has worked with Dilbeck and Sons Construction on another preeminent Salinas project—the Harden Foundation windmill restoration. Jay Ralston has been a carpenter for 30 years, and is a Salinas native.
From a stretch of scraped-clean earth on the northern edge of Salinas, Southern District carpenters are raising the Bolsa Knolls Middle School. In a county that’s been suffering from high unemployment rates—especially in the construction arena—the steady work on a $15 million project close to home makes for a grateful team. "It’s good that we’re working in today’s economy," says Herman Celaya, Local 605. It’s a sentiment almost every carpenter on site mentioned. For many of these Dilbeck and Sons, Inc. employees, it’s also a short commute. Bruce Johnson, Local 605, has been on the project since it began. "For five months, I’ve had a five-minute commute," he says. "I’ve been on the same tank of gas for five weeks."
 Omar Garcia, Local 405, says, "We’re working—and that’s a blessing." Garcia’s been on the job for a month and a half.  Alex Gonzales, Local 605.  Carmen Morales, Local 605, had been on Bolsa Knolls since it started. He’s worked on footings, concrete work, framing and putting up the sheer walls. Dilbeck and Sons, the general contractor for the Bolsa Knolls project, currently has about ten journeylevel carpenters here, along with three apprentices. It’s the fourth school the Salinas-based company has done for the Santa Rita School District, an example of what a long-term working relationship can do for repeat work.  Jarrod Skow, Local 405, ropes up the rafters and helps navigate them into place. "We did a lot of value engineering for the school district on this project," explains Melinda Garcia, Dilbeck and Sons’ project manager for Bolsa Knolls. Working through the bid this way—and anticipating the district’s needs based on its previous experience with the client—Dilbeck saved the Santa Rita District money, and reduced the costs associated with change orders down the line. It’s the kind of working partnership that goes a long way in these challenging economic times. "We’re a local company, hiring a lot of local subcontractors too," Garcia says. "Everyone gets along." Bolsa Knolls Middle School will have about seven permanent classrooms, some in the large multipurpose building as well as in the two other permanent buildings. The plan is for the school district to bring in portables for the rest of the classrooms. The school, a lease-back project, will serve about 650–700 students from the surrounding community.  Michael Toporcer, Local 405, came to the Bolsa Knolls project from one in Pajaro where he was the superintendent.  Rodney Creel, Local 605, sets one end of the roof beams on the gym. At the moment, the Dilbeck team is working hard to button up the project before winter, the intention being to keep the team working on the inside through the rainy season. Bolsa Knolls school is slated for completion in April. "The team is doing a great job," says Garcia, "moving right along- on schedule and on budget." Local 605 field representative Pat Castillo says, "It’s been pretty slow for Local 605. We’ve got 125 journeylevel carpenters and 25 apprentices on our out-of-work list." There are several major projects on the horizon, he notes, including a potential $29 million bridge project south of Big Sur, but many are significantly farther away than Bolsa Knolls for local carpenters. The Local has been referring out-of-work members and their families to close-by food banks to get bags of groceries. Omar Garcia’s comment seems to sum up the story for the working carpenters at Bolsa Knolls Middle School. "We’re working," Garcia says. "It’s a blessing."  Ruben Esquivias, Local 605, is a second-year apprentice. "I’m happy to be working close to home," he says.  Bruce Johnson, Local 605, has been enjoying the five-minute commute from home for five months. "I’ve been on the same tank of gas for five weeks," he laughs.  Matt Sparks, Local 605, sports an impressive belt buckle he earned in a team roping association event last year. He commutes every day from Soledad, farther down Salinas Valley.
 Cody Ralston, Local 605, is a third-period apprentice. "It’s good that we’re working," says Herman Celaya, Local 605, "especially in today’s economy." He’s been on the project for five months, and 15 years with Dilbeck and Sons.  Casey Grossen, Local 605, has 19 years with the Salinas-based Dilbeck and Sons. His dad also worked as a carpenter, finishing out his 39 years—he retired last year—in the union at Dilbeck, too. |
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