Las Vegas Sun

Go for it Monique and George. bottom line is these men NEED to come home every night, safely. Whatever it takes to ensure more families do not suffer as we have.

WOW.....now that everyone is involved maybe there will be hope for safer work environments down there. I pray no other families will have to suffer from here on out. Maybe now all parties involved will at least pretend they care about the worker.

The fact is that there are hundreds of employees out there AND YES some will make mistakes but it shouldn't cost them their lives. Everyone is rushing so much they are bound to make mistakes. It's rush, rush, rush and no time to thoroughly think things through. OR you have a scenario where the men in charge are directing workers to do certain things which they know could have the possibility for injury but insist on doing it that was regardless. Many of these men are losing thier lives doing tasks they are directed to do. In some cases the Foreman AND superintendents are WATCHING while it is performed. So, what do these men supposed to do...walk off the job because they are told to rush, rush or walk off because they are told to do something that may or may not be unsafe. They have families to care for too. So they stay so they can have the ability to care for their families only to have something go horribly wrong. Do those in charge discourage this environment. NO THEY DO NOT. It is much cheaper for the companies to pay these measly fines levied by OSHA(which the majority of the time they end up not paying anyhow) than to fall behind and take hits on their bonuses. The mentality of the game has to change. The unions need to come together and take back the power. What is happening today is a good thing. It should have happened a long time ago. Many of us are suffering because someone didn't take a stand when the first unnecessary death occurred. Amen to these men for taking a stand and setting examples and city center and cosmospolitan. Our family members should be coming home safe at night, regardless. These casinos are not as important as our family members. They will get built AND make money no matter how long it takes to get them up.

I'm sorry Cliffee but $18k in fines for the loss of my loved one is not nearly enough of a fine. his life was worth much more than that to me. Had he been at fault than maybe the take would be different. But when you have one death after another and clearly defined neglect by the contractors and in our case the union officials themselves, than yes, tougher fines would be the order of the day. Make them pay. If you have mom-n-pop out there that cannot afford these fines than they should probably be extra careful. These huge companies are paying the fines rather than taking a greater interest in safety. It's much easier to pay that measley fine(which will more than likely be forgiven later) than suffer penalties by getting behind schedule.

Increasing these fines and then ENFORCING them is the first step. Thank goodness there are those out there that are taking a closer look and not willing to be bought off. Yes there is a lot of money here in this town but in my eyes there will never be enough to replace what these men brought to the lives of their loved ones. Good for you Felicity for keeping your voice heard and shouting out again and again. Many thanks to Alexandra as well. Keep pushing. Your words are definately being read. I would hate to think these men died for nothing. As for those of you trying to bully me into keeping quiet, it will not work. My loved one is gone but not forgotten. He did practice safety. He was committed to his job and the safety of himself and others. He should have justice and by that I don't mean some measly little fine that the company paid. The laws should reflect stiffer penalties and light shed on the relationships between the union officials, contractors and OSHA. It's insulting, immorral and horrifying. These men should be alive today.

WOW!!!finally some attention to these very serious problems. However, OSHA is only a portion of the problem. The unions need to come together and represent their men and let these contractors know they will not stand for losing men. The death of one man should have sent shockwaves through his union but it didn't. It was business as usual. Life goes on type of attitude. Chuch Lenhart let me know that it was "the nature of the business" when I lost my loved one. OSHA can uphold their measly little fines and the companies will work harder to get the contract later(with citations on their record) but what about the union officials. They are PAID by the worker to represent that worker. Union officials are there for the well-being of that worker and it's not voluntary work. Do your job union officials and stand up for your men. Put pressure on contractors as well as OSHA and make these sites as safe as possible. No one wants another family member to suffer as we have. Come on chuck, grow a spine and stand up for your men. EARN some respect here. I have yet to hear "I'm sorry for your loss" from any representative of Local 433. Nothing from Chuck, nothing from Robbie. The members of local 433 were wonderful but the administration was horrendous. My loved one paid you to take care of him and you cannot even express condolences to his family. Maybe you should refund the money he paid out.

Grow a spine Chuck Lenhart and stand up for your fallen men. Stand up and make someone accountable. They entrusted you as their leader and helped to pay your salary. If you cannot represent them how about refunding the money they had deducted out of their pay to pay your salary so you could sit on your thumbs and blow smoke. GROW A SPINE OR GET OUT. Why does Robbie Hunter do all your talking for you. I thought he ran LA. Bailing you out of your mess?

I was present at the meeting for local 433 and was ashamed at what I witnessed. the adminstrators were more worried about who was speaking to the press than about safety issues. Again, the message sent was one that the men are responsible for their own safety. How about when the company is using unapproved hooks? Are the men still responsible? Why, if the job was closed down for safety issues, did it not remain closed until it was safe. You now have a family whose loved one will not be home. Many years of sorrow and pain lie ahead and no one wants to take a stand. Disgusting. More disgusting were the members of local 433 who did not take a stand next to their fallen brothers and demand changes so their families would not face similar situations. All that hoorah about solidarity and brotherhood is just a front. Over inflated egos is all that I witnessed in that meeting and outside. Go ahead harass Alexandra Berzon for writing an article that exposes the truth. YOu may be thanking her someday for spurring changes.

I personally feel that the union representitives felt no responsibility for ensuring the safety of their membership. It mystifies me as to whole this group of people can pay their salary and yet allow them to shuck responsibilities. The mentality inside the hall was very upsetting as well. As someone who just suffered such a loss I cannot understand how so many cannot demand answers. As a body they represent our dead loved ones. I was very disappointed.

I missed the first part of the meeting. If someone could let me know what I missed.

Does anyone know what time the meeting is taking place?