Vigil Held For Bergen County Construction Worker Who Fell To His Death In Jersey City

JERSEY CITY, NJ — A local union held a vigil in Jersey City on Thursday, Feb. 8, for a 40-year-old construction worker who fell to his death last Friday.

The worker, Juan Jose Coc, lived in Fairview and leaves behind a wife and child, said the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA).

As Jersey City continues its revitalization, construction workers are put at risk, the union said.

Mayor Steve Fulop, local workers, members of the community, clergy, public officials, and members of LIUNA attended the vigil at City Hall, 280 Grove St.

"While much media attention is given to WHAT is being built in Jersey City," the group said in a release, "little attention is given to HOW buildings are constructed and the risk construction workers are forced to take on projects that offer minimal, if any, protections, substandard working conditions, and a business model that treats workers as expendable."

The union said, "As a member of the Jersey City community, LIUNA stands with concerned citizens to honor those hurt and killed on construction projects in Jersey City and to implore public officials that their leadership and help is needed to establish and enforce standards that protect construction workers."

Reports said the 40-year-old man fell four stories from a building under construction at 859 Communipaw Ave., in the city's West Side near Lincoln Park.

Near the conclusion of the vigil, attendees illuminated candles and a roll call was read of 30 incidents in Jersey City where a worker was either seriously injured or killed on the job, the union said.

The last fatality mentioned was the most recent one. In attendance were members of his family, who asked to remain anonymous.