Mexican Cliques in Construction

My thirty years of experience in construction as a journeyman carpenter in North America, including twelve years in civil industrial construction in Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas, have provided an eye-opening education for me regarding Mexican cliques in my industry.

Even though cliques are not always made up of employees of Mexican origin or background, I am going to focus on this nationality because it’s my nationality and my background. I grew up and went to school on both sides of the border in South Texas. I speak the languages of both sides of the border. I have the cultures of both sides of the border—I am Mexican American.

Another reason for this focus on Mexican cliques is because of the high percentage of Mexican employees in the construction industry. I do this without prejudice to my own people, especially the hardworking folks who contribute their enthusiasm and dedication to the US construction industry.

This book is written about Mexicans who are part of cliques and who look for a way to make a clique. Of those who lack ethics and integrity. I was raised to believe honesty is the best policy—but I have learned there are many in the workplace who do not follow that policy, much to the detriment of other workers.