Volunteers barred from clean-up by business deals

Rescue Effort

The three South Korean marine veterans looked splendid as they marched, heads held high in the sunshine. All in their late sixties, in full dress uniforms, they had come to offer their help in the rescue work.

The construction workers also wanting to volunteer outside the Jacob Javits Centre on 11th Avenue cheered the elderly Koreans, now American citizens living in New Jersey. But that is the only thing they did cheer yesterday. The effort to clear up the shattered remains of the twin towers has become enmeshed in acrimony over million-dollar contracts and unionised closed shops.

Those turning up from all over America in response to appeals for help have been told they are unwanted. The work will be done by four companies who have been awarded contracts, using only union members from stipulated branches.

All morning, cars, pick-up trucks and motorcycles rolled up outside the Javits building with willing volunteers. They rushed up eagerly to fill in forms. But within minutes that had turned to disappointment when they found they were no longer needed. Police and state troopers tried to explain that the game plan had changed and the best they could do was to go home or hang around on the off chance that they might be needed.

A couple, Rod and Jimmy Miles, had come from Springfield, Illinois, to help. Mr Miles waved a piece of paper in the face of one of the state troopers: "Look, this is from the government asking for our help and now you are saying that we have come all the way here and there is nothing for us to do?"

The trooper shook his head. "I'm sorry sir, we do appreciate you coming, but I am just passing on my orders."

The four companies ­ Amec, Turner, Bovis and Tully ­ have been given contracts for the clearance of the World Trade Centre site and are busy with their unionised crews.

Among those who came to volunteer at "ground zero" yesterday, there was anger at this. Al Lucchesi, a carpenter, and his colleague, Anthony Cosanza, have been told they could not either volunteer or be employed because they did not belong to the right union branch.

Mr Lucchesi, taking off his hard hat to reveal his ponytail in a Stars and Stripes bandana, said: "This ain't right. They should be using every pair of hands that comes along. There are people trapped in there. Instead we are told we have to be members of Local 157 to do anything. Look at all these guys queuing up, there is so much they can do."

Mr Cosanza added: "It's all gone commercial in a hurry.... Americans should not be turned away from helping fellow Americans because some companies have got themselves these deals."

Paul Mercer had driven from West Virginia to offer his services as a welder and cutter. He shook his head. "This is what gives our country a bad name. For a few days everyone was pulling together and we were one people. Now it's all about profits. I said to that guy from Bovis that I didn't expect a dime. But he just gave me the company line."

The guy from Bovis, Vince La Terra, was unmoved. "These contracts have been given to the four companies and we are sticking to the rules in hiring people from the union locals. What we need is organisation and proper work parties and not take on anyone because they want to volunteer."

Ten yards away, the three Korean veterans were undaunted. Samuel Kang, 69, adjusted the peak of his red marine hat and set off for the police lines. "More people help the better, we are going to see what we can do." His two comrades marched off behind him. The construction workers waved.

Maureen Trent was clutching a dark grey jacket. It belonged to her husband, David, who worked for a banking company at the twin towers. "He went off in his shirt sleeves because it was such a hot day," Mrs Trent said. "I don't care who carries out the rescue work. I just want them to continue until I know whether or not my David is alive. I am sure there are hundreds like me."