The union representing workers employed by the village is now considering legal action against Spring Valley Mayor George Darden after he hired day laborers.

In a press conference Thursday, Darden admitted to hiring the day laborers last weekend to clean out a building on North Main Street, which is slated for demolition. But, the mayor also said he didn't know they were illegal immigrants.

Now the Civil Service Employees Union (CSEA) is investigating because it says those jobs should have been given to local union members. Union members say even though the mayor claims he didn't know the workers he hired were undocumented, the Immigration Reform Control Act states an employer must verify an employee?s immigration status before hiring. Billy Riccaldo, of the CSEA, says they're also trying to avoid exploitation of the day laborers.

Meanwhile, the New York State Department of Labor met with Darden Friday at village hall. Labor department officials say their only jurisdiction in the case is that the mayor paid the laborers $10 an hour when the going rate is $40 an hour. The mayor will now have to make up the $30 an hour difference to each of the workers.

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