525 Clinton Avenue Fallout: Rats and Findings of Fault
When a non-Union worker was killed in a scaffolding accident three weeks ago at 525 Clinton Avenue, it didn’t take long for the rat to come out to play. “Untrained and unskilled workers lead to an unsafe workplace, shoddy workmanship and a lower quality finished product,” reads the flyer handed to us by the Local…
When a non-Union worker was killed in a scaffolding accident three weeks ago at 525 Clinton Avenue, it didn’t take long for the rat to come out to play. “Untrained and unskilled workers lead to an unsafe workplace, shoddy workmanship and a lower quality finished product,” reads the flyer handed to us by the Local 79 organizer tending the rat from the comfort of his pick-up truck. Turns out the guy might have a point: DOB is announcing its findings today that, in addition to lacking a permit, the supported scaffold (i.e. one built from the ground up) was not designed to code; in addition, the scaffold company has yet to provide documentation showing that the workers who assembled the scaffold had the proper training. On a related note, DOB is announcing this morning a new initiative to focus on scaffold and sidewalk shed safety.
BREAKING: Worker Killed at 525 Clinton Avenue [Brownstoner] GMAP P*Shark
Development Watch: 525 Clinton Avenue Check-In [Brownstoner] DOB
Development Watch: 525 Clinton Avenue [Brownstoner]
525 Clinton Avenue Looking Good [Brownstoner]
525 Clinton Gets Its Glass On [Brownstoner]
Tower Rising at 525 Clinton Avenue [Brownstoner]
3:49: Were those studies financed by the unions? (That was a rhetorical question.)
Union workers are overpaid because, without the influence of the mob, your skill set is not so unique that it justifies a higher wage.
Why do you comment on being old, fat and lazy? Why do you comment that you work hard? I never said that or even thought it. No one said that about union labor except for you, but it is very telling that you mentioned it. You become rather transparent when questioned.
And at what point are you entitled to the profit of a development? Unless you are willing to put your money into the mix as an investor, you have no right to the profits. You are hired labor. What part of that did you miss?
Honestly, I think your post simply bolsters the argument that you are overpaid for what you do and you are simply trying to justify an unjustifiable position.
Dear 12:16:
Time and time again studies show that when it comes to construction – UNION LABOR produces better quality and is MORE PRODUXTIVE than the work performed by our non-union counterparts. I know you want to believe we’re all old, fat and lazy but we actually work very hard, every day, building this city. Contractors realize they pay us well and they do not tolerate bullshit on jobsites!
While unions inflate the cost of doing business the increases are attributed to decent wages and benefits! Corporation increase the cost of doing business for profits, which is fine, but not nearly as noble. I suppose you don’t think workers are entitled to these things but I do and they cost money.
We are not overpaid. We work hard and we build a better product. Developers are making handsome profits – we’re just here to get our fair share.
Nice shot! A day in the life of ‘The Rat’.
manual labor is cheap. unions inflate the true price of labor.
10:30: not only is that not true, it implies all economists are neocons. Perhaps you are shitting your pants because you know that union labor does not imply better service or quality and that they do, in fact, inflate the cost of doing business.
11:01: you are overpaid. If some non-union person can do you job with the same quality and efficiency as you and get paid less, then you are over paid. And don’t try that line that union workers give you better quality. They don’t.
If unions didn’t have the mafia behind them scaring developers with physical harm, no one would use you.
Dear 10:21
I don’t have to pretend anything. My skill is worth what I get paid. That’s how the free market works.
The reason building costs are so high is because silver spoon dilitantes don’t care how much they pay to gratify themselves.
By the way – slavery was abolished in this country.
10:21 = soft handed neocon who’d shit his pants if he ever had to… anything.
Union workers are employed by the “idle privilege”d, so they better get a grip.
Manual labor is cheap. Trying to preptend that your “skill” is worth as much as you get paid is the reason building costs are so high.
The union haters resent unions only because they mistakeny think unions make things more expensive for THEM.
The cost of living in a world where people who actually produce something are exploited mercillesly (like the scaffolding victim), is that they rebel, and you end up with a dictatorship.
Unions are part of the free market and of a free society.
You union bashers need to develop a sense of gratitude for the working men and women who make your life of idle privilege possible.
9:25,
More union members live to see their pensions than non-union members in this industry. For all of the reasons stated by 8:55. If God forbid 8:55 were hurt or worse killed on the job, her husband, children or significant other would get her substantial benefits. What do non-union illegal immigrants get? Not even enough money to get shipped back home for burial.