Local Union Holds Protest Outside Absolute Drywall Construction Site in Burnsville to Challenge Alleged Labor Violations
BURNSVILLE, MINNESOTA – The North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters (NCSRCC) organized a protest Wednesday morning, April 16, 2025, outside a Burnsville construction site to call attention to alleged labor violations and unsafe working conditions involving subcontractor Absolute Drywall.
The demonstration, held around 10 AM this morning near the intersection of Pillsbury Avenue and Burnsville Parkway, was part of the national Tax Fraud Days of Action campaign, which takes place every April. The campaign aims to spotlight unfair labor practices in the construction industry, with this year’s focus in Burnsville specifically targeting Absolute Drywall.
NCSRCC alleges that Absolute Drywall has a documented history of worker mistreatment, wage violations, and failing to uphold industry labor standards. A key point of concern stems from a recent criminal case involving Diego Medina Cisneros, a former Absolute Drywall employee who pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sexual conduct for assaulting coworker Norma Izaguirre at the Viking Lakes construction site in Eagan earlier this year.
Following the incident, Izaguirre filed a lawsuit against Absolute Drywall, claiming the company failed to protect her and later retaliated against her for reporting the assault. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights has since joined the lawsuit, citing Minnesota Human Rights Act violations.
In addition to the criminal case and civil litigation, the U.S. Department of Labor previously cited Absolute Drywall for misclassifying workers as independent contractors and failing to pay overtime, resulting in over $100,000 in penalties. Despite these legal issues, Absolute Drywall continues to secure subcontracting work across the Twin Cities metro area. The NCSRCC argues that such practices not only jeopardize worker safety and well-being but also undercut area wage standards, creating an uneven playing field for responsible contractors.
Representative Kaela Berg from the Minnesota House attended Wednesday's protest to support the NCSRCC’s efforts and highlight the need for stronger oversight and enforcement of labor laws in Minnesota's construction industry.
"We are calling on general contractors to stop working with companies that have a track record of labor violations," said Molly Puhrmann, Public Relations Specialist for the NCSRCC. "Workers deserve safe job sites, fair wages, and dignity on the job."
The North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters represents 27,000 members across six states, including Minnesota, and advocates for fair labor practices in the construction industry. The organization also oversees 17 training centers to equip workers with industry-leading skills and safety training.
Written by: Will Wight
