December 26, 2006

Job market shifting in construction industry





As building of homes slows down, commercial real estate picks up slack


Although residential construction continues to grow, the pace of employment expansion in the housing sector is a fraction of what it was earlier this year.

However, nonresidential sectors are poised to pick up the baton, a welcome development for construction workers who otherwise might have lost jobs tied to residential realty.

By George Avalos,
MEDIANEWS STAFF

December 25, 2006

Brian McLaughlin




The Sinner Within

How Brian McLaughlin betrayed the labor movement and conned us all
by Tom Robbins
Village Voice


From Wikipedia

December 11, 2006

Atlantic Yards foes pin hopes on pol




Atlantic Yards foes pin hopes on pol


Opponents of Bruce Ratner's Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn are hoping that the "Silver bullet" can strike for a third time and at least delay the 22-acre, $4.2 billion megadevelopment.

By Michael Clancy
amNewYork City Editor

Labor Presses for Measure to Ease Unionizing




Labor Presses for Measure to Ease Unionizing

Claiming a major role in the Democrats’ victory last month, labor leaders are pressing Congressional Democrats to enact a measure to make it easier for workers to unionize.


New York Times
By STEVEN GREENHOUSE
Published: December 8, 2006

December 10, 2006

DEMOLITION AT LAST FOR WTC-SITE BLDG.




DEMOLITION AT LAST FOR WTC-SITE BLDG.

Workers yesterday began taking apart the black-shrouded, ruined Deutsche Bank AG skyscraper that has languished above Ground Zero since 9/11.

By AMY WESTFELDT, AP

Annie Leibovitz & the Times Building




Photographer Annie Leibovitz & the Times Building


"With our skyline forested with cranes, it’s a good time to be a construction worker. Workers at the 52-story New York Times Building, rising across from the Port Authority, are practically celebrities: The developer hired superstar photographer Annie Leibovitz to spend her mornings shooting them. Ironworkers Teddy Noller and Cyril Stapleton and ironworker apprentice Brandon Gonzales (pictured left) sat down with Arianne Cohen."

By Arianne Cohen
New York Magazine

Union protests labor practice



Union carpenters assulated


Two union carpenters are pursuing assault charges against a Braintree condo developer who they say pushed them off the sidewalk, yelled racial insults at them, and ripped a sign from their hands as they picketed his project late last month.

By Robert Knox
Boston Globe

Risky business: Only the best need apply



Risky business: Only the best need apply

Three generations of Cook Inlet construction divers say the dangers of the job bind them like family

By Melissa Campbell
Alaska Journal of Commerce

Fatal Construction Accidents in the City Rise Sharply Over 12 Months




Fatal Construction Accidents in the City Rise Sharply Over 12 Months


"Of the 28 incidents in which the 29 workers were killed, 19 involved companies with 10 or fewer workers and 21 involved workers who were immigrants or had limited English proficiency and 24 involved nonunionized workers."

New York Times
By SEWELL CHAN
Published: November 22, 2006