Buffalo Pundit Has A Good One

[leftWNYbecauseofBS]

So You Want to do Business in New York

But the shakedown began when, halfway through the project, a guy from the carpenter’s union showed up. It was a small job, and he was told, “no thanks”. Two days later, there was an OSHA guy camped out across the street with “a telephoto lens”. A few weeks later, a guy from the electrical union showed up. They were also told, “no thanks.” Two days later, an inspector from the state Department of Labor was on site, demanding to see the contracts to determine whether prevailing wages were being paid.
I’m generally pro-union, and I respect the notion of collective bargaining to ensure that workers who choose to unionize are treated fairly. But that should apply to big business, or public works. Ultimately – it’s the workers’ choice whether to work for a union shop or not, and small businesses renovating a non-chain restaurant should, frankly, be left alone, much less harassed. And why is it that state and federal inspectors are seemingly acting in concert – one could even say on behalf of – the union?

Not going to pull the entire post as you should go read it on AV but is a perfect example of why small businesses do not like existing in NYS.


Even better is the first comment from Colin Eager who is a resident fool over at WNYMEDIA. Asked the simple question of:

So, why exactly was this relatively small venture targeted?

His reply was:

It's being targeted because it's using non-union labor. Good.

[granpabob]

I put up fences for 40 years and many times had to stop work to show permits because someone called in a complaint. mostly on schools factories or business properties. we knew it was either a union or another fence companies who lost the bid. If your doing work within the rules it only takes a couple of minutes to show the official the paperwork and you are on with the job. Underground inspections and building permits were needed on every job in the county. If prevailing wages were called for we had a copy of them attached to our contract. Building inspectors, osha, labor dept, lawyers, surveyors and Union stewards are just part of non union labor is this area. it is also becoming part of union work also because many non union shops believe turn about is fair play. all these inspectors respond to complaints and any one can call in a complaint.

[leftWNYbecauseofBS]

I put up fences for 40 years and many times had to stop work to show permits because someone called in a complaint. mostly on schools factories or business properties. we knew it was either a union or another fence companies who lost the bid. If your doing work within the rules it only takes a couple of minutes to show the official the paperwork and you are on with the job. Underground inspections and building permits were needed on every job in the county. If prevailing wages were called for we had a copy of them attached to our contract. Building inspectors, osha, labor dept, lawyers, surveyors and Union stewards are just part of non union labor is this area. it is also becoming part of union work also because many non union shops believe turn about is fair play. all these inspectors respond to complaints and any one can call in a complaint.

I think what you're describing is a frog in a pot of boiling water.

The situation that BP outlined was someone doing it within the rules...yet they have to spend time and money with the process simply out of spite. THAT is a huge freaking problem and a good reason why people do not bother.

[Dougles]

It's amazing how some people can be so blind to reality and what the state and unions are doing to small business in NYS.


On a side note.. the food there is very very good!

[leftWNYbecauseofBS]

It's amazing how some people can be so blind to reality and what the state and unions are doing to small business in NYS.


On a side note.. the food there is very very good!

I do not think it is blind as much as being used to it. It's not like this stuff was implemented overnight.

Just a shame.

[granpabob]

I think what you're describing is a frog in a pot of boiling water.

The situation that BP outlined was someone doing it within the rules...yet they have to spend time and money with the process simply out of spite. THAT is a huge freaking problem and a good reason why people do not bother.

when you do public fund jobs where union scale has to be paid ( which is higher then prevailing wage) you know before bidding that union shops will be mad that you got part of the job so a cushion is included in your bid the cover lost time for red tape and BS. another thing we used to run into was union pickets and bullies. they would break equipment block roadways pile things where your fence went and many other little things to make you look like you did not know your jobs. It was so common you looked for interference on every job. Niagara county was so bad most companies would avoid the whole county especially the Niagara Falls. could be why it looks like it does

[leftWNYbecauseofBS]

when you do public fund jobs where union scale has to be paid ( which is higher then prevailing wage) you know before bidding that union shops will be mad that you got part of the job so a cushion is included in your bid the cover lost time for red tape and BS. another thing we used to run into was union pickets and bullies. they would break equipment block roadways pile things where your fence went and many other little things to make you look like you did not know your jobs. It was so common you looked for interference on every job. Niagara county was so bad most companies would avoid the whole county especially the Niagara Falls. could be why it looks like it does

It is why it looks like it does. LOL

The point was this was not a public funded job.

Unions, and their idiot supporters like Colin, think that all work should go to unions.

[run4it]

A few reactions:

1) If true, then its a horrible abrogation of justice. "Complaints" should be well documented and instigators should be prosecuted if their complaints are unfounded.

2) This article - and entire story - is based solely upon the owner's account? I'm sure he's not biased in any way... I'm not going to outright call him a liar, but there might be more (or less) to the story than he is letting on.

3) Why would he bother to do business in NYS when he feels so persecuted? Because at the end of the day he's still going to make a pretty good buck, and he knows it. His "good-paying jobs" aren't so laudable when you look at a server's paycheck (or busser, or sous chef, &etc). "Hundreds of thousands of dollars of construction materials from local companies"? Yeah, show me the receipts. You can do a band new build for less than "hundreds of thousands of dollars," and he's just renovating an existing structure. He apparently is already a successful businessman and wouldn't have set out on this venture unless he know he'd turn a pretty profit.

4) Is there a law requiring prevailing wage? Did he follow the law? If the respective answers are 'yes' and 'no' (which, if he truly foresees the possibility of losing the suit against him, might well deserve some inquiry) then I'm not going to shed a tear from him.

Do I believe there are disgruntled union workers who might target him? Possibly. Do I believe that he might self-righteously embellish a story? Possibly. I'm guessing the truth is somewhere in the middle.

[leftWNYbecauseofBS]

A few reactions:

1) If true, then its a horrible abrogation of justice. "Complaints" should be well documented and instigators should be prosecuted if their complaints are unfounded.

2) This article - and entire story - is based solely upon the owner's account? I'm sure he's not biased in any way... I'm not going to outright call him a liar, but there might be more (or less) to the story than he is letting on.

3) Why would he bother to do business in NYS when he feels so persecuted? Because at the end of the day he's still going to make a pretty good buck, and he knows it. His "good-paying jobs" aren't so laudable when you look at a server's paycheck (or busser, or sous chef, &etc). "Hundreds of thousands of dollars of construction materials from local companies"? Yeah, show me the receipts. You can do a band new build for less than "hundreds of thousands of dollars," and he's just renovating an existing structure. He apparently is already a successful businessman and wouldn't have set out on this venture unless he know he'd turn a pretty profit.

4) Is there a law requiring prevailing wage? Did he follow the law? If the respective answers are 'yes' and 'no' (which, if he truly foresees the possibility of losing the suit against him, might well deserve some inquiry) then I'm not going to shed a tear from him.

Do I believe there are disgruntled union workers who might target him? Possibly. Do I believe that he might self-righteously embellish a story? Possibly. I'm guessing the truth is somewhere in the middle.

1 - The fact that the project is in court and both the contractors and owner do not want to be there says a lot. Of course there are sides to the story but notice how labor is silent.

2 - If you think opening a restaurant comes with the knowledge of making a pretty good buck you're a fool. That is one of the riskiest industries. Can you make a good, if not great living, owning a place? Yes. Is it guaranteed or even likely? NO.

Studies show about a 60% failure rate for restaurants. 1 in 4 close in the first year. Over 3 years, 3 in 5 close. Added to this, unlike some companies that provide services, many of the costs of building out a restaurant is lost, as you can not take landscaping, paint and interior builds with you. Appliances and movable parts can be sold but a lot is lost to the owner. Also, when they are sold...they are sold at DEEP discounts. A range that is purchased new for $5k sells for $2k just a couple of years later.

Added to this, you have no idea as to what you're talking about when it comes out to material costs. A kitchen alone can go north of $100k. This is not a small place. It's not a small kitchen.

As for wanting he to show receipts...f'off. Your sense of entitlement is similar to the union thugs who think the work belongs to them.

[WNYresident]

Beside some unions giving businesses a hard time go read this:

Best and Worst States for Entrepreneurs

http://smallbusiness.foxbusiness.com...tcmp=obnetwork

While the worst of the list are District of Columbia, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York and Iowa.

[run4it]

1 - The fact that the project is in court and both the contractors and owner do not want to be there says a lot. Of course there are sides to the story but notice how labor is silent.

2 - If you think opening a restaurant comes with the knowledge of making a pretty good buck you're a fool. That is one of the riskiest industries. Can you make a good, if not great living, owning a place? Yes. Is it guaranteed or even likely? NO.

Studies show about a 60% failure rate for restaurants. 1 in 4 close in the first year. Over 3 years, 3 in 5 close. Added to this, unlike some companies that provide services, many of the costs of building out a restaurant is lost, as you can not take landscaping, paint and interior builds with you. Appliances and movable parts can be sold but a lot is lost to the owner. Also, when they are sold...they are sold at DEEP discounts. A range that is purchased new for $5k sells for $2k just a couple of years later.

Added to this, you have no idea as to what you're talking about when it comes out to material costs. A kitchen alone can go north of $100k. This is not a small place. It's not a small kitchen.

As for wanting he to show receipts...f'off. Your sense of entitlement is similar to the union thugs who think the work belongs to them.

1. If there was some kind of wrongdoing, of course the contractors and owners don't want to be there. Even if there wasn't any wrongdoing, no one wants to spend the time or money. Show me any court proceeding where a defendant and subpoenad witnesses DO want to be there.

2. I know the high failure rate of restaurants. But this isn't exactly and out-of-nowhere independent startup. This is a place that already has high name and quality recognition in the market. We both know that greatly increases the chance of success. And yes I do know what I'm talking about in terms of building costs. Yeah, a kitchen can have a big price tag, but then again he didn't have to build a brand new kitchen. And asking for the receipts was meant to be scoffing sarcasm (usually you get that).

All of that was a vehicle for suggesting that he was embellishing his story a bit. But I stated that at the end. Do you really think that either side of this is entirely above reproach? I think you're smarter than that. Which is why I said that "I'm guessing the truth is somewhere in the middle."

[run4it]

Beside some unions giving businesses a hard time go read this:

Best and Worst States for Entrepreneurs

http://smallbusiness.foxbusiness.com...tcmp=obnetwork

But again, since there are customers - and therefore money - to be had here, if there is a call for goods or services, you can bet someone will brave the maze to make the money. I don't know about you, but I'm certainly not in need of even greater consumeristic opportunity around here.

[leftWNYbecauseofBS]

1. If there was some kind of wrongdoing, of course the contractors and owners don't want to be there. Even if there wasn't any wrongdoing, no one wants to spend the time or money. Show me any court proceeding where a defendant and subpoenad witnesses DO want to be there.

2. I know the high failure rate of restaurants. But this isn't exactly and out-of-nowhere independent startup. This is a place that already has high name and quality recognition in the market. We both know that greatly increases the chance of success. And yes I do know what I'm talking about in terms of building costs. Yeah, a kitchen can have a big price tag, but then again he didn't have to build a brand new kitchen. And asking for the receipts was meant to be scoffing sarcasm (usually you get that).

All of that was a vehicle for suggesting that he was embellishing his story a bit. But I stated that at the end. Do you really think that either side of this is entirely above reproach? I think you're smarter than that. Which is why I said that "I'm guessing the truth is somewhere in the middle."

I do not think it's in the middle. In the middle does not put it on the company website. After all, union workers need to eat and I am sure he lost some customers.

To me..his actions are that of someone who has been pushed over the edge. Just my opinion.