I don't know about Coyote labor brokers, but I do know that most workers were paid by "piece rate"; meaning they got paid a set amount to install, say a bundle of shingles on the roof. If it takes him one hour to do something that normally might take 2 hours, what do you think happens to quality? Anyway, this comes from this link.
Americas Watchdog is one of Americas premier consumer groups. For over two years it has been conducting a nationwide investigation focused on homebuilders using a "coyote labor broker scheme" to avoid the payment of local, state or federal taxes. According to Americas Watchdog, "in the last six years we are talking about millions of undocumented workers and up to a hundred billion dollars in un-paid local, state or federal taxes by their employers = national or regional homebuilders". So what is a "coyote labor broker" & how does the scheme work?
The experts on pedestrian traffic coatings brings you the information you need on one website! We have information on all pedestrian traffic coatings manufacturer's, including Pli-Dek, West Coast Specialty Coating Systems, Desert Brand, Life Deck, Tufflex, Mer-Kote and Dex-O-Tex systems. Browse our website for articles, videos, news stories and more. We'll be updating and adding more pages soon so bookmark this site and come back and visit!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Third-party inspection firm, Calif.-based Converse Consultants, falsified 62 reports on Las Vegas construction project; is finding from Nevada State Contractor Board
A Las Vegas construction project that had third party oversight from California based Converse Consultants went awry due in part to the company falsifying reports that rebar was being installed correctly....read some of this here below;c
SOLID BEGINNING
Things started fine with the Harmon, one of six high-rise buildings at CityCenter's 67-acre campus. The 47-story mixed-use tower officially broke ground in 2006 at the northeast corner of Harmon Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard amid fanfare and great expectations. Construction progressed and the building took shape, steadily climbing skyward. Plans called for 207 posh residences perched above a 400-room hotel, with a Mr. Chow's Restaurant and Frédéric Fekkai salon, among other amenities.
Trouble surfaced in July 2008 when it was learned that rebar -- reinforcing steel bars used in concrete -- was improperly installed on 15 floors of the building. The discovery resulted in a temporary project shutdown and construction repairs. Clark County's Building Department launched an investigation, as did the Nevada State Contractors Board.
They found that the Harmon's third-party inspection firm, Monrovia, Calif.-based Converse Consultants, falsified 62 daily reports between March and July of 2008 stating that things were OK when they weren't. County inspectors missed the problems, too. It seems rebar was misplaced inside link beams that transfer horizontal loading to the building's shear walls. A shear wall is a braced panel wall that counters lateral loads on a structure. In other words, it supports the building and keeps it from falling over.
Read the whole article here
SOLID BEGINNING
Things started fine with the Harmon, one of six high-rise buildings at CityCenter's 67-acre campus. The 47-story mixed-use tower officially broke ground in 2006 at the northeast corner of Harmon Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard amid fanfare and great expectations. Construction progressed and the building took shape, steadily climbing skyward. Plans called for 207 posh residences perched above a 400-room hotel, with a Mr. Chow's Restaurant and Frédéric Fekkai salon, among other amenities.
Trouble surfaced in July 2008 when it was learned that rebar -- reinforcing steel bars used in concrete -- was improperly installed on 15 floors of the building. The discovery resulted in a temporary project shutdown and construction repairs. Clark County's Building Department launched an investigation, as did the Nevada State Contractors Board.
They found that the Harmon's third-party inspection firm, Monrovia, Calif.-based Converse Consultants, falsified 62 daily reports between March and July of 2008 stating that things were OK when they weren't. County inspectors missed the problems, too. It seems rebar was misplaced inside link beams that transfer horizontal loading to the building's shear walls. A shear wall is a braced panel wall that counters lateral loads on a structure. In other words, it supports the building and keeps it from falling over.
Read the whole article here
OSHA Proposes $90,000 in fines After Brooklyn Balcony Collapse
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
NEW YORK - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed a total of $90,000 in fines against four New York contractors as the result of a Dec. 15, 2009, balcony collapse at a five-story residential building under construction at 701 Union St. in Brooklyn.
Cited are steel erection contractor N&C Iron Works Inc. of Brooklyn and three Staten Island contractors, project general contractor NNF Enterprises Inc. doing business as FDM Construction, masonry subcontractor IVM General Construction Inc. and carpentry subcontractor Barbaria Construction.
An employee of N&C Iron Works fell 20 feet when the second floor balcony he was standing on collapsed as he was attempting to jack up the third floor balcony. OSHA's inspection found that the second floor balcony was overloaded, improperly constructed and incapable of supporting its weight load. The scaffold on which employees were performing steel erection work was improperly constructed and employees lacked fall protection.
"These employers failed to ensure that all necessary safeguards were in place and in use, thus exposing workers at this jobsite to potentially deadly fall and crushing hazards," said Kay Gee, OSHA's area director for Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. "While it is fortunate that no one was killed in this incident, worksite safety and workers' lives cannot and must never be dependent on chance or luck."
As a result of its investigation, OSHA has fined NNF Enterprises $46,250 for failing to brace or support the balcony, unsecured scaffold decking, no regular worksite safety inspections, debris in an access stairway and missing railings. N&C Iron Works Inc. has been fined $29,250 for lack of fall protection, not training employees on fall and scaffold hazards, overloading and not ensuring the stability of the balcony, stairway debris and missing railings. IVM General Construction Inc. has been fined $13,000 for the overloaded balcony, the inadequately constructed and planked scaffold, lack of fall protection, stairway debris and missing railings. Barbaria Construction has been fined $1,500 for unsecured scaffold decking.
1 2 next
NEW YORK - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed a total of $90,000 in fines against four New York contractors as the result of a Dec. 15, 2009, balcony collapse at a five-story residential building under construction at 701 Union St. in Brooklyn.
Cited are steel erection contractor N&C Iron Works Inc. of Brooklyn and three Staten Island contractors, project general contractor NNF Enterprises Inc. doing business as FDM Construction, masonry subcontractor IVM General Construction Inc. and carpentry subcontractor Barbaria Construction.
An employee of N&C Iron Works fell 20 feet when the second floor balcony he was standing on collapsed as he was attempting to jack up the third floor balcony. OSHA's inspection found that the second floor balcony was overloaded, improperly constructed and incapable of supporting its weight load. The scaffold on which employees were performing steel erection work was improperly constructed and employees lacked fall protection.
"These employers failed to ensure that all necessary safeguards were in place and in use, thus exposing workers at this jobsite to potentially deadly fall and crushing hazards," said Kay Gee, OSHA's area director for Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. "While it is fortunate that no one was killed in this incident, worksite safety and workers' lives cannot and must never be dependent on chance or luck."
As a result of its investigation, OSHA has fined NNF Enterprises $46,250 for failing to brace or support the balcony, unsecured scaffold decking, no regular worksite safety inspections, debris in an access stairway and missing railings. N&C Iron Works Inc. has been fined $29,250 for lack of fall protection, not training employees on fall and scaffold hazards, overloading and not ensuring the stability of the balcony, stairway debris and missing railings. IVM General Construction Inc. has been fined $13,000 for the overloaded balcony, the inadequately constructed and planked scaffold, lack of fall protection, stairway debris and missing railings. Barbaria Construction has been fined $1,500 for unsecured scaffold decking.
1 2 next
From Sacramento Business Journal-Law firm sued over local construction defect case Plaintiffs say they were kept in the dark about settlement proceedings
A Southern California law firm that has won more than $17 million from construction defect court settlements in the Sacramento area is being sued by former clients for legal malpractice.
Eleven local parties allege Lee Jackson, a partner in the Santa Monica office of Milstein, Adelman & Kreger LLP, misled them and settled a construction defect lawsuit against U.S. Home Corp. for less than 10 percent of the estimated cost of repairs.
The lawsuit, filed June 18 in Sacramento County Superior Court, alleges negligence, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and fraud on the part of the Milstein firm. The suit demands damages of $1.5 million plus interest, punitive damages, fees and court costs.
“These people don’t feel they got adequate representation,” said Eugene Haydu, a Sacramento attorney who represents the plaintiffs. “We (attorneys) have a special duty to homeowners. Most of this is brand new to them and they can be taken advantage of — that’s what I think is most egregious.”
Read more: Law firm sued over local construction defect case - Sacramento Business Journal
Eleven local parties allege Lee Jackson, a partner in the Santa Monica office of Milstein, Adelman & Kreger LLP, misled them and settled a construction defect lawsuit against U.S. Home Corp. for less than 10 percent of the estimated cost of repairs.
The lawsuit, filed June 18 in Sacramento County Superior Court, alleges negligence, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and fraud on the part of the Milstein firm. The suit demands damages of $1.5 million plus interest, punitive damages, fees and court costs.
“These people don’t feel they got adequate representation,” said Eugene Haydu, a Sacramento attorney who represents the plaintiffs. “We (attorneys) have a special duty to homeowners. Most of this is brand new to them and they can be taken advantage of — that’s what I think is most egregious.”
Read more: Law firm sued over local construction defect case - Sacramento Business Journal
Help Wanted- SALES REPRESENTATIVE - Liquid Roofing/Waterproofing at Sika Corporation
FROM A LISTING AT LINKED IN
SALES REPRESENTATIVE - Liquid Roofing/Waterproofing at Sika Corporation
Location: Chicago, IL (Greater Chicago Area)
URL: http://www.sika-corp.com
Type:
Full-time
Experience:
Mid-Senior level
Functions:
Sales
Industries:
Building Materials
Posted:
July 8, 2010 by Karen Glennon
Employer Job ID:
SC-SalesLAM-LI
Job Description
We are currently seeking a SALES REPRESENTATIVE for the Chicago Area in our Liquid Plastics / Construction Products Business Unit. The position will be responsible to develop a need for Sika liquid roofing / waterproofing products through service and specifications to distributors, contractors, architects and specifiers.
The responsibilities include:
• achieve a sales budget within an assigned discount or profit target
• ensure complete geographical coverage of your assigned territory through an effective and efficient account base management system
• promote products through continued development of engineering specifications and contractor applications
• maintain a high level of understanding with current product offerings and market applications
• identify and follow up on new market opportunities
• provide weekly and monthly sales activity reports
• technical specification writing
• follow company environmental and safety policies
• other projects as assigned by manager
Sika Corp offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including medical/dental/vision/life/disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, and educational assistance.
If interested in this opportunity, please send your resume with salary requirements to:
resume@sika-corp.com
Sika Corporation, 201 Polito Avenue
Lyndhurst, NJ 07071
www.sika-corp.com
EEO Employer M/F/V/H
Skills
The ideal candidate will need to have the following qualifications:
• an Associates or Bachelors degree
• 5+ years of proven sales experience, preferably in construction or roofing
• excellent communication and presentation skills
• strong time management and organizational skills
• valid driver's license and ability to travel
• computer literate
Company Description
Sika Corporation, based in Lyndhurst, NJ, is a leading supplier of specialty chemical products and industrial materials serving construction and industrial markets including transportation, marine, and automotive. Its technologies are focused on sealing, bonding, damping, reinforcing and protecting. We are committed to customer satisfaction, innovation, and teamwork. Sika Corporation employs more than 900 people in 7 manufacturing, 2 R&D facilities, and sales and marketing offices throughout the country.
Job ID: 1024272
Apply Now
Search More Jobs
SALES REPRESENTATIVE - Liquid Roofing/Waterproofing at Sika Corporation
Location: Chicago, IL (Greater Chicago Area)
URL: http://www.sika-corp.com
Type:
Full-time
Experience:
Mid-Senior level
Functions:
Sales
Industries:
Building Materials
Posted:
July 8, 2010 by Karen Glennon
Employer Job ID:
SC-SalesLAM-LI
Job Description
We are currently seeking a SALES REPRESENTATIVE for the Chicago Area in our Liquid Plastics / Construction Products Business Unit. The position will be responsible to develop a need for Sika liquid roofing / waterproofing products through service and specifications to distributors, contractors, architects and specifiers.
The responsibilities include:
• achieve a sales budget within an assigned discount or profit target
• ensure complete geographical coverage of your assigned territory through an effective and efficient account base management system
• promote products through continued development of engineering specifications and contractor applications
• maintain a high level of understanding with current product offerings and market applications
• identify and follow up on new market opportunities
• provide weekly and monthly sales activity reports
• technical specification writing
• follow company environmental and safety policies
• other projects as assigned by manager
Sika Corp offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including medical/dental/vision/life/disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, and educational assistance.
If interested in this opportunity, please send your resume with salary requirements to:
resume@sika-corp.com
Sika Corporation, 201 Polito Avenue
Lyndhurst, NJ 07071
www.sika-corp.com
EEO Employer M/F/V/H
Skills
The ideal candidate will need to have the following qualifications:
• an Associates or Bachelors degree
• 5+ years of proven sales experience, preferably in construction or roofing
• excellent communication and presentation skills
• strong time management and organizational skills
• valid driver's license and ability to travel
• computer literate
Company Description
Sika Corporation, based in Lyndhurst, NJ, is a leading supplier of specialty chemical products and industrial materials serving construction and industrial markets including transportation, marine, and automotive. Its technologies are focused on sealing, bonding, damping, reinforcing and protecting. We are committed to customer satisfaction, innovation, and teamwork. Sika Corporation employs more than 900 people in 7 manufacturing, 2 R&D facilities, and sales and marketing offices throughout the country.
Job ID: 1024272
Apply Now
Search More Jobs
Deck Collapses-July 4th partiers fall 3 stories in Ala.; 1 dead
DECK SAFETY PLEASE!
A wooden deck crumpled under a group of Fourth of July partiers in Alabama, killing one person and injuring six others.
Seven partygoers plummeted three stories when the deck at an apartment complex in the Birmingham suburb of Hoover collapsed Sunday night. Two uninhabited decks below were crushed by the falling debris.
Hoover Fire Department spokesman Rusty Lowe said one person was pronounced dead at the hospital, another is in critical and three are hospitalized with serious injuries. Two were treated for minor injuries and released.
Read more: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2010/07/05/1204882/july-4th-partiers-fall-3-stories.html#ixzz0tCGsX8QE
A wooden deck crumpled under a group of Fourth of July partiers in Alabama, killing one person and injuring six others.
Seven partygoers plummeted three stories when the deck at an apartment complex in the Birmingham suburb of Hoover collapsed Sunday night. Two uninhabited decks below were crushed by the falling debris.
Hoover Fire Department spokesman Rusty Lowe said one person was pronounced dead at the hospital, another is in critical and three are hospitalized with serious injuries. Two were treated for minor injuries and released.
Read more: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2010/07/05/1204882/july-4th-partiers-fall-3-stories.html#ixzz0tCGsX8QE
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