Union members join forces with advocates at 'Worker's Lives Matter' rally
The rally was held after contractor Michael Conway pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment in connection to a deadly trench collapse.
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Union members and labor advocates joined forces at a Worker's Lives Matter rally in Mamaroneck on Friday.
Louis Sanchez, the business representative for Local 3 IBEW, said they gathered to call for more workplace protections in Westchester.
"We have to stay strong for our families and continue this fight for worker safety," Sanchez said.
The rally was held after contractor Michael Conway pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment in connection to a deadly trench collapse.
In 2021, prosecutors said Conway had workers dig a 9-foot trench at a home on Shores Acres Drive without proper protections.
The trench gave way and killed 46-year-old Jose Vega.
"This could have been preventable," said Janet Fry, the deputy director of the Community Resource Center.
As part of the plea deal, Conway is expected to be sentenced to serve 150 hours of community service with one year of conditional discharge. It's a punishment that Sanchez said isn't enough.
"I think it's totally unacceptable," Sanchez said.
News 12 reached out to Conway's lawyer for comment but hasn't heard back yet.
Vega's family also wasn't in attendance at the rally.
A spokesman form district attorney's office, which prosecuted Conway, said Vega's family is in support of the plea deal. The office sent News 12 a statement from the family saying in part that, "We miss Jose dearly. We understand there is a court process that has to play out, and we are grateful for the prosecutors who helped bring this case to its conclusion."
The spokesman said the decision was also "guided by conversations with the victim's family."
