Laborers’ Local 91 represents union laborers in Niagara County. In 1935, Local 91 was originally founded as the International Hod Carriers’ Building and Common Laborers’ Union of America. Local 91 in Niagara Falls is affiliated with the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA). The members of Local 91 are involved in various types of construction and industrial projects, including brick masonry; asbestos removal; hazardous materials abatement; paving roads and runways; pipe installation; and bridge and building construction. Local 91 laborers have participated in various projects throughout Niagara County, such as Niagara Hydro-Electric Power Generating Station, AES Somerset Electric Generating Station, the Seneca Niagara Hotel and Casino, and the Yahoo Data Center.

Up until the late 1970s, Local 91 laborers were exposed to asbestos through materials they applied, removed or handled. Exposure to asbestos dust and fibers can cause mesothelioma or lung cancer many years after an initial exposure. Local 91 members were also exposed to asbestos dust by working in close proximity to other tradesmen, including insulators, carpenters, electricians, and fireproofers, who applied or removed asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos was widely incorporated into many building materials and industrial products that laborers applied or removed, including pipe covering, block insulation, roof shingles, joint compound and fireproof materials. It was also common for laborers to be present when asbestos fireproofing was applied to structural steel in order to keep the machine loaded with the insulating material. Among the many general duties of laborers, which would have exposed them to asbestos, laborers swept up dust and debris after drywall finishers sanded asbestos-containing joint compound. Additionally, laborers performed general duties on construction sites, which also exposed them to asbestos.

The dangers of exposure to asbestos dust were unknown to workers who performed their work without wearing masks or protective gear. Inhaling dust and particles from the application of asbestos-containing materials placed workers at risk for developing mesothelioma or lung cancer. Even workers who were not in direct contact with asbestos materials remain at risk for developing an asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. If you or a loved one worked as a Local 91 laborer and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer, please contact us regarding your legal rights.