Unions Assist Development

[biker]

Building trades unions picketing Uniland site downtown


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Amherst developer is using non-union workers

By SHARON LINSTEDT
News Staff Reporter
4/12/2006


A downtown office building construction project is drawing the ire of local building trades unions for use of non-union workers.
Uniland Development Co., which started site preparation last week for a $10 million, five-story office building at 285 Delaware Ave., is the target of pickets at the site. The union members are protesting the Amherst development firm's decision to open its bid process to both union and non-union companies.

"By using non-union companies local workers are being denied a fair, standard wage," said Dominic Calandra, a business agent for Laborer's Local 210. "These guys are not only going to receive substandard pay, they're probably not getting health coverage."

Some 100 unionized construction workers, representing several different unions, gathered at the site Tuesday, continuing a protest which began last week when Uniland broke ground. In a new twist, a 15-foot, inflatable rat was positioned on the sidewalk in front of the high-profile site, in an effort to call additional attention to the labor action.

In a statement, Uniland executives said they gave union firms a chance to bid on the work, but were rebuffed.

"It is our expectation that approximately 65 percent of the work at 285 Delaware Ave. will be awarded to union contractors," the statement read. "Apparently, this did not satisfy some union trades who have not only declined the opportunity to accept the work, but are now employing tactics to stop anyone else from working at the site."

The developer said the labor action "sends a terrible message" to the local development community and businesses looking to locate downtown.

This is not the first time recently that local building trades unions have picketed downtown construction sites to raise concerns over use of open-shop workers. Last summer, a large contingent of union representatives and the giant rat set up shop at the future home of HealthNow, along the downtown section of the I-190 to protest the hiring of a non-union firm to perform environmental remediation of the site.

Dick Zak, a Teamsters business agent, noted that most of the construction vehicles on the site are unmarked, preventing observers to know what company they are working for or where they are from.

"Who doesn't put their name on their trucks? You want your name out there if you're a decent operator. These people probably aren't even from the Buffalo area," Zak said.

The protesters are positioning themselves primarily at the construction entrance to the high-profile site, temporarily blocking dump trucks and other work vehicles as they attempt to enter and leave the site. Buffalo Police officers have been at the scene preventing lengthy delays for the construction crews and managing traffic on the key downtown corridor.

Uniland announced last month that M&T Bank will lease 68,000 square feet of the 116,000-square-foot office building. The new space is expected to add some 250 to 300 M&T employees to the bank's city work force, which currently totals over 2,500.

The building is scheduled for completion in spring 2007.

[biker]

And the reporters come out lazy again:

In a new twist, a 15-foot, inflatable rat was positioned on the sidewalk in front of the high-profile site, in an effort to call additional attention to the labor action.

But then later the reporter, in the same article, writes:

This is not the first time recently that local building trades unions have picketed downtown construction sites to raise concerns over use of open-shop workers. Last summer, a large contingent of union representatives and the giant rat set up shop at the future home of HealthNow, along the downtown section of the I-190 to protest the hiring of a non-union firm to perform environmental remediation of the site.

So which is it, Ms. Linstedt? Is this a new tactic or are you just trying to give fresh legs to the union's old and tired visual grab for publicity?

And where was your editor on this poor piece of reporting?

Do either of you have pride in your craft? Are you embarrassed by this?

Or are you surprised that anyone noticed? Do you really hold your readers in such low regard that: A)You didn't think we would remember the rat from the HealthNow stories last year; and B)You even put the HealthNow reference in your story to flaunt how dumb you think we are.

Shame on you, Ms. Linstedt. For your penance, you're sentenced to the police blotter for three weeks.

And then we expect you to think when you write, and to hold your readership in reverential awe.

[biker]

I think the article could have gone on a bit more about the union's efforts here.

Dick Zak, a Teamsters business agent, noted that most of the construction vehicles on the site are unmarked, preventing observers to know what company they are working for or where they are from.

"Who doesn't put their name on their trucks? You want your name out there if you're a decent operator. Dick Zak, a Teamsters business agent, noted that most of the construction vehicles on the site are unmarked, preventing observers to know what company they are working for or where they are from. Zak said

Why does Mr. Zak want to know which companies are involved? So he can send them flowers?

And Mr. Zak showed great restraint:

These people probably aren't even from the Buffalo area,"

He could have gone on to conclude that their wives were probably ugly and their kids were failing at school.

[Dino330]

If they were protesting three days ago without the rat, when the rat arrives it's a 'new twist.' It's new to this protest.
Then she reminded readers the rat was used last year. Nothing wrong with the writing there.

"By using non-union companies local workers are being denied a fair, standard wage," said Dominic Calandra, a business agent for Laborer's Local 210. "These guys are not only going to receive substandard pay, they're probably not getting health coverage."

I am truly surprised that quote made it into the paper.

I would like to know who the nonunion guys are working the construction. Why won't Uniland say where they're from? If they have credentials, good for them. However, if they're more unskilled, unqualified illegal immigrants I have a major problem with that.

[Dino330]

I think the article could have gone on a bit more about the union's efforts here.



Why does Mr. Zak want to know which companies are involved? So he can send them flowers?

And Mr. Zak showed great restraint: He could have gone on to conclude that their wives were probably ugly and their kids were failing at school.

Actually, it's a very valid point. Why wouldn't a local company want their name on their work? It's advertising. It just proves his point that they're probably unskilled laborers.

Think about any work done anywhere. Whoever does the work has their name on it. And their trucks. Hell, a Wegmans sub is wrapped in a Wegmans wrapper. Garbage trucks have BFI stamped on them. Every Bic pen has BIC written on it.
I think it's a great point.

[Stevenco]

Unions assist developement AND....
...the dish ran away with the spoon.

[Boost Buffalo]

No graphics on a construction service truck makes a valid point for the unions? You say, Dino?

Uniland shouldnt be allowed to conduct their private business privately? You feel its a valid point for the unions that Uniland is not simply disclosing who they're contracting with?

The labor unions want more money, and their approach here is to provide that. Its so obvious. Unions dont want to compete with merit based labor, so they influence politicians and laws like Davis Bacon and Taylor are written.

On private owned and funded sites, unions forcefully interfere, like at HealthNow and Uniland's and countless others. Unions are professional thugs, its common knowledge, and its catching up to them.

[Dino330]

No graphics on a construction service truck makes a valid point for the unions? You say, Dino?

Uniland shouldnt be allowed to conduct their private business privately? You feel its a valid point for the unions that Uniland is not simply disclosing who they're contracting with?

The labor unions want more money, and their approach here is to provide that. Its so obvious. Unions dont want to compete with merit based labor, so they influence politicians and laws like Davis Bacon and Taylor are written.

On private owned and funded sites, unions forcefully interfere, like at HealthNow and Uniland's and countless others. Unions are professional thugs, its common knowledge, and its catching up to them.

Typical anti-union response. I was being open minded. You come back bashing unions. Ridiculous.

It is a very valid point. Think about any work ever being done ANYWHERE. You see that company's logo on it. For some bizzare reason, there are no corporate logos on any of the trucks going into/ out of the Uniland site. Uniland has every right to conduct their business privately. But the ones they contracted... why aren't they taking credit for their work? It does not do your business any future good for you to do your business anonymously.You think a Uniland executive is driving that truck to the site?

[Linda_D]

It would be interesting to find out if any of these non-union firms have checked that all their workers are citizens or are legal immigrants. The construction industry is among the biggest employers of illegal immigrants, and using illegals enables many construction firms to under-bid on contracts because they work for less and don't complain about unsafe conditions.

[Boost Buffalo]

. But the ones they contracted... why aren't they taking credit for their work? It does not do your business any future good for you to do your business anonymously.You think a Uniland executive is driving that truck to the site?

Dino,

These commercial contractors dont get jobs by advertising on their well used and often site-dirty commercial construction vehicles. They're hired based on merit, effective bidding, negotiating, and bonding capabilities.

And its private money doing the building here. What business is it of yours and your union's to demand that overpriced and corrupted union labor be used?

In this case, the unions intention is to make it as uncomfortable for Uniland and for M&T Bank as absolutely possible. The developer's and M&T's instant remedy is for the project to allow only overpriced and cost-ineffective union controlled labor.

Do you think the lender would finance this project if the developer used unqualified, incapable, substandard, illegal labor? Would Uniland be successful as they are

Unions are now examples of extreme greed, bad faith, and political corruption, sadly.

[Linda_D]

Dino,

These commercial contractors dont get jobs by advertising on their well used and often site-dirty commercial construction vehicles. They're hired based on merit, effective bidding, negotiating, and bonding capabilities.

And its private money doing the building here. What business is it of yours and your union's to demand that overpriced and corrupted union labor be used?

In this case, the unions intention is to make it as uncomfortable for Uniland and for M&T Bank as absolutely possible. The developer's and M&T's instant remedy is for the project to allow only overpriced and cost-ineffective union controlled labor.

Do you think the lender would finance this project if the developer used unqualified, incapable, substandard, illegal labor? Would Uniland be successful as they are

Unions are now examples of extreme greed, bad faith, and political corruption, sadly.

Sorry, Boostie, but you be wrong again!!! Contractors ALWAYS have signs on their vehicles. It's free advertising!!!

Moreover, you know NOTHING about the building industry. Duhhh... Uniland is the developer. The developer hires a project engineer/manager or general contractor depending on the size of the project. The general contractor hires sub-contractors ... who frequently hire illegals who work cheaper and don't complain to OSHA. It has nothing to do with capability or standards because nobody's ever accused illegals of not being skilled or hard-working -- except for the anti-immigrant lobby who lump all immigrants together and claim that they're all on welfare.

[Dino330]

Thanks Linda.

And another thing Boostie, my Ralph Wilson Stadium usher's union isn't into construction. I do care when unskilled illegal immigrants or New Jersey corporations take the jobs of hard working local individuals.

[Boost Buffalo]

I do care when unskilled illegal immigrants or New Jersey corporations take the jobs of hard working local individuals.

me too Dino, I say its time to enforce the laws that we have for that. The immigrants dont have the right to a good life like you and me. send them back to hell, right?

But to suggest Uniland hires illegal substandard labor, directly or indirectly, is just a baseless union ploy.

And if private money wants to build using out of state labor, what business is that of yours?

Private industry doesn't need corrupted and cost prohibitive union labor to guide the way, or for anything else, and either do the taxpayers.

[Boost Buffalo]

Sorry, Boostie, but you be wrong again!!! Contractors ALWAYS have signs on their vehicles. It's free advertising!!!

.

No Linda, you're confusing commercial construction contractors with rural barn, shed, and outhouse contractors.

Farm life can do that to an ol country gal, apparantly.

[Dino330]

See, you are against unions for the sake of being against them. You see the word 'union' and automatically you assume they're out trying to screw everyone over. You accused me of being some corrupt union member becuase I didn't go off on some nonsensical anti-union tangent. If you read what I wrote first, you'd see I don't care who is doing the work as long as they're skilled.

But instead, you go on your anti-union tirade.

And you're damn right I'd rather have local guys do the work than unskilled illegal immigrants. Take that to the bank.

You're also damn right I'd rather have local guys do the work than some Jersey scumbags. You'd rather employ people from out of state? Yeah, way to support your fellow townsfolk. Way to 'Boost Buffalo.'

By the way, you know who won the Civil War? The UNION! Egads!