Four Muscatine-area construction workers are attracting regional support in their call for safer working conditions.
Chanting leads the way to Brandt Construction in Milan on Wednesday.
That's where some 40 marchers issue a call for change.
Striking worker Austin Hovendon, 19, says it's a matter of life or death.
"I was scared just to not come home and be able to take care of my family," he said.
The controversy stems from a warehouse project in Muscatine.
Workers for Brandt's Hy-Brand Industrial Contractors say they contend with unsafe working conditions high on the roof.
"You could be taken out," said striking worker Dakota Upshaw, 23.
Workers also complain about verbal and physical abuse on the job.
"There would be a lot more people that would want to work for them if they would actually treat their employees better," said former worker John Stelzner, 28.
With the rally circling corporate headquarters, a company representative was not available for comment.
These non-union workers are gathering support from organized labor, community groups and even the Diocese of Davenport.
"We stand up for workers' rights," said Vince DiDonato, an iron workers union representative. "So does the clergy, the community groups. It's all about taking care of people in the community."
While work continues at the warehouse on Wednesday, so does the walkout, which began about a week ago.
Strikers say they just want to talk it out with management.
They plan to stick it out as long as it takes.
"Everybody's important," Upshaw concluded. "Not just the Brandt worker or the Hy-Brand worker, but all workers together. We all deserve to be treated equally and fairly."
A call that, for now, is falling on deaf ears.