And people wonder why the rust belt continues to have economic problems

[kinggovernor]

Clouds gather over developer of Statler
Safety, labor issuesput project at risk
By Sharon Linstedt NEWS BUSINESS REPORTER
Updated: 01/23/08 6:38 AM


The British developer who is renovating the Statler Towers could face criminal charges in England after the death of a construction worker there.

The British government’s Health and Safety Executive and police in Manchester, England, are probing the August death at a construction site controlled by Bashar Issa and his BS Construction Ltd.

“The investigation is a joint investigation with the police. It is an ongoing investigation,” Anna Bliss, a principal inspector with the agency, said in a statement Tuesday to The Buffalo News.

Meanwhile, Issa’s company faces U.S. investigations by the National Labor Relations Board and the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration for practices tied to the $118 million Statler renovation.

Those safety investigations coupled with wage demands by construction workers could cause him to pull the plug on his multimillion- dollar development plans in Buffalo.

Issa described the local safety and labor issues as “distractions instigated by Laborers Local 210” to force his company into agreeing to a contract.

“They want to pressure us into negotiating at a higher rate, so they’ve got a lot of agencies pestering us and butting into our business,” Issa said. The developer said labor costs on the Statler project will determine the feasibility of moving ahead on the proposed $361 million, 40-story, mixed-use tower he has proposed at South Elmwood Avenue and West Mohawk Street.

“We’ll have to revisit the numbers on construction on the tower, and if they don’t work, we won’t do the project,” Issa said. “We want to be in Buffalo and do these wonderful projects, but the investment has to make sense.”

In Manchester, a 47-year-old worker from Poland was crushed by a steel girder that reportedly was being lifted with a makeshift pulley. The worker was employed by Issa’s BS Construction at the Sarah Tower project, a 22-story hotel and residential building.

“The police are considering manslaughter, which is a criminal offense for which an individual could face a custodial sentence,” Bliss continued in her statement.

The agency also is looking into violations of the British Health and Safety at Work Act, which could trigger criminal prosecution and fines, Bliss said.

Issa, reached by phone in England, said he is cooperating with the Manchester investigation and feels “sorry and bitter” about the death of the worker.

“It was a terrible thing, and it needs to be sorted out,” Issa said. “There’s a process to be followed, but we’re confident we were not responsible.”

Issa’s company received numerous notices of noncompliance in 2007.

“It is generally the case that if there are regulatory problems, there are underlying management issues — and having 19 notices against you in one year should be a cause for concern,” Bliss said.

In Buffalo, Issa’s BSC Development Buffalo LLC is accused of trying to block union organizing efforts and of bargaining in bad faith. Workers also allege they were ordered to remove asbestos and lead paint without proper safety gear.

The OSHA investigations target Connex Construction LLC, the construction arm of BSC Development, and C. Tabbi & Co., a local firm hired as a drywall and painting subcontractor.

OSHA documents obtained by The News include seven citations filed against Connex on Dec. 21, most of them in connection with lead paint exposure during remodeling of the 85-year-old building. Connex was cited for violations ranging from failure to test laborers for lead exposure to failure to provide required protective gear and rooms for changing clothing.

OSHA, which had threatened fines of $15,750 for the violations, confirmed that it reached a settlement with Connex on some of the charges as of Frida y. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

Sworn statements by demolition and construction laborers filed with the NLRB also allege serious safety lapses. The workers’ affidavits contend that they were ordered to remove sections of walls and ceilings, exposing asbestos, without the benefit of protective suits and breathing apparatus, or abatement training.

A group of 28 Statler laborers began their organizing efforts last summer, aiming to boost pay from $8 an hour and gain benefits such as health insurance. The NLRB granted approval for union elections in mid-September, and the workers selected Laborers Local 210 as their union affiliation.

Over the last few months, BSC/Connex trimmed its employee roster to about a dozen. Complaints filed with the NLRB allege that BSC Group retaliated against union activity by firing about 20 workers and discriminating against others. Two workers said they were dismissed for attending an OSHA seminar on asbestos removal.

Issa said the changing work force numbers have nothing to do with the union vote and contract talks. But he acknowledged that he is frustrated with union calls to boost wages up to $23 an hour plus benefit costs.

“That would be like paying doctor’s rates for laborer’s jobs. It doesn’t make sense,” he said.

The Buffalo News: City & Region: Clouds gather over developer of Statler

So here comes this guy out of now where that wants to restore what used to be one of the nicest buildings in the city (Statler Hotel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) that now houses discount jewelry stores

Now the project is running into the two strongest organizations in Buffalo, labor and government. And they work together to make sure that guys without college degrees make 20+ an hour sweeping the floor.

And when he pulls out in a few months, everyone will throw their hands up and say "whoa is us", "nothing good ever happens here" and it will be their own damn fault.

[Stylerod]

Unions tend to do that which is why so many Hollywood movies and TV shows that used to be filmed in big cities are now filmed in cities in Canada and the Southern States. They don't have to fuck around and negotiate with unions.

[motivez]

Originally Posted by Stylerod

Unions tend to do that which is why so many Hollywood movies and TV shows that used to be filmed in big cities are now filmed in cities in Canada and the Southern States. They don't have to fuck around and negotiate with unions.

Canada doesn't have any film production crew unions?

[bheld]

Those dumb rust belt workers think they have the right to organize and work a job that doesn't kill them through negligence.

[Stylerod]

Originally Posted by motivez

Canada doesn't have any film production crew unions?

I'm sure they do. But they must not be as hard to deal with as those in the US or production companies wouldn't make so many movies there.

Hell, Chicago used to be a hotbed of movie making. Then unions decided they weren't getting enough of the pie and ended up driving those production companies out of the state.

[Publius]

Originally Posted by bheld

Those dumb rust belt workers think they have the right to organize and work a job that doesn't kill them through negligence.

working a job that doesn't kill them through negligence = $23/hr + benefit costs?

[bheld]

Originally Posted by Publius

working a job that doesn't kill them through negligence = $23/hr + benefit costs?

I read the article. Apparently you aren't familiar with the process of negotiation.

[Scrum]

Issa said the changing work force numbers have nothing to do with the union vote and contract talks. But he acknowledged that he is frustrated with union calls to boost wages up to $23 an hour plus benefit costs.

“That would be like paying doctor’s rates for laborer’s jobs. It doesn’t make sense,” he said.

$23/hour is doctor's rates?

I need to find one of those doctors. I just paid $200+ to have one look in my kids ears.

[Publius]

Originally Posted by bheld

I read the article. Apparently you aren't familiar with the process of negotiation.

Apparently you aren't familiar with anything approaching an understanding of economics. Nor are you familiar with the fact that there is no correlation between wage paid and job site safety. They could easily negotiate the safety issue without even touching on wage issues.

[Publius]

Originally Posted by Scrum

$23/hour is doctor's rates?

I need to find one of those doctors. I just paid $200+ to have one look in my kids ears.

$23/hr + benefit costs. If I remember correctly, benefits can sometimes add up to double the original wage in terms of cost per worker.

[bheld]

Originally Posted by Publius

$23/hr + benefit costs. If I remember correctly, benefits can sometimes add up to double the original wage in terms of cost per worker.

That's only in the minimum wage jobs you're so keen on. It's nice how you assert benefit costs are a function of wages instead of a fixed amount just one post after calling my understanding of economics into question.

[bheld]

Originally Posted by Publius

Apparently you aren't familiar with anything approaching an understanding of economics. Nor are you familiar with the fact that there is no correlation between wage paid and job site safety. They could easily negotiate the safety issue without even touching on wage issues.

Right, it would be asking too much for the developer to not be able to cut corners on some part of the budget.

[Publius]

Originally Posted by bheld

That's only in the minimum wage jobs you're so keen on. It's nice how you assert benefit costs are a function of wages instead of a fixed amount just one post after calling my understanding of economics into question.

Typically, the higher paying a job is the better the benefits are and thus the higher the cost of benefits. A person making $10/hr is not going to have the same benefits package as a person making $50/hr in most cases, even within the same company.

You've displayed your ignorance of economics on this forum numerous times. You've also displayed an attitude of contempt towards any views which are not lock-step with your own, allowing it to spill over into openly hostile posts towards other users that have no basis in fact and no merit with relation to the thread you're posting in.

Show me where I've said I'm "so keen on" minimum wage jobs, chief.

[Publius]

Originally Posted by bheld

Right, it would be asking too much for the developer to not be able to cut corners on some part of the budget.

Why should people sweeping the floor make $20+ an hour? That is not a high risk job nor a difficult job, yet under most union contracts, and in particular under this one that the union has proposed, even janitors and cleaning people make $20+.

How is it "cutting corners" when the developer simply wants to pay the fair market value for labor? Why should he be bullied into paying a higher rate?

[Scrum]

Originally Posted by Publius

$23/hr + benefit costs. If I remember correctly, benefits can sometimes add up to double the original wage in terms of cost per worker.

I still don't buy it being doctors rates.

[Publius]

Originally Posted by Scrum

I still don't buy it being doctors rates.

It's definitely hyperbole, but he still raises a completely valid point nonetheless.

[bheld]

Originally Posted by Publius

Typically, the higher paying a job is the better the benefits are and thus the higher the cost of benefits. A person making $10/hr is not going to have the same benefits package as a person making $50/hr in most cases, even within the same company.

You've displayed your ignorance of economics on this forum numerous times. You've also displayed an attitude of contempt towards any views which are not lock-step with your own, allowing it to spill over into openly hostile posts towards other users that have no basis in fact and no merit with relation to the thread you're posting in.

Show me where I've said I'm "so keen on" minimum wage jobs, chief.

Yikes, simmer down now. No need to go into the canned "You are ignorant, as you have displayed on this and that occasion..." spiel.

I think it was a nice attempt to try to say that benefits packages get better the more you're paid but let's just agree that you're wrong. It was wrong to say that benefits cost more for a construction worker making $20/hr. than one making $15/hr.

I'm sorry you think I'm such a meanie, but I think you're confusing me with somebody else because I'm pretty sure I don't let contempt "spill over into openly hostile posts towards other users that have no basis in fact and no merit with relation to the thread you're posting in."

[Scrum]

Originally Posted by Publius

Why should people sweeping the floor make $20+ an hour? That is not a high risk job nor a difficult job, yet under most union contracts, and in particular under this one that the union has proposed, even janitors and cleaning people make $20+.

How is it "cutting corners" when the developer simply wants to pay the fair market value for labor? Why should he be bullied into paying a higher rate?

Doesn't labor set "fair market value" for their services just like business sets fair market value for their goods?

[bheld]

Originally Posted by Publius

Why should people sweeping the floor make $20+ an hour? That is not a high risk job nor a difficult job, yet under most union contracts, and in particular under this one that the union has proposed, even janitors and cleaning people make $20+.

How is it "cutting corners" when the developer simply wants to pay the fair market value for labor? Why should he be bullied into paying