Las Vegas Sun

Dear Sad:

Yes, I do plan on attending the union meeting. I believe that Union has the collective power to support and influence the necessary changes. So, I am attending the meeting to see if the Ironworker's Union is willing to be a part of the solution.
You are correct, I was part of the system that I am now criticizing. I made an open admission of this fact during my interview for this article. I offer no excuses. However, I will say that I did then, what I knew then, and when I knew better, and when it became very personal to me, I did better.
Today, I am the man that I am, as a sum of my experiences. I am sure that a year from now I will be yet a different man based on the things that I will experience over the coming year.
Lastly, I would not have exposed myself to ridicule, judgement and slander, if I did not want to take a stand and be part of the solution.

Sincerely,
Mr. George Cole

Weatherornot, thank you for you comments to Disgusted. You are so very right.

Disgusted, you are the one who is DEAD WRONG. When it comes to big corporations, money talks. If these companies have to keep digging deeper and deeper into their pockets to pay fines, and as a result,they have to keep paying larger and larger Workmen's Compensation Premiums due to unfavorable ratings for the many infractions against them, then Safety moves from the Liability column of the Balance Sheet to the Asset column.
Also, job safety is an industry wide problem. It does not differentiate between union and non-union. It is my goal and the goal of all of the other families to initiate changes that make EVERYONE safer. Not JUST Ironworkers and not JUST Union employees. EVERYONE.

The Ironworkers Hall is located at 100 Shiloah. This is one block west of I-95 and E. Charleston. You will turn North off of E. Charleston Blvd onto Shiloah. The Hall is located on the West side of the Street. I hope to see lots of love and support there. Mr. Non-Union, Mr. Inspector, Letjusticeprevail. Angryfamily, Kelly Snow and anyone else who believes in the changes that need to be made, I hope to see all of you there. This isn't just about Ironworkers, it is about all of the men.

I agree with shamelv. Criminal negligence should be considered by the District Attorney. Also, there are no more excuses for OSHA's lack of enforcement. Jimmy Garrett, Safety Manager of OSHA, needs to be held accountable for letting multiple corporations and contractors off the hook and letting our son's, brother's, father's and friends die needlessly.

I would personally like to thank Alexandra Berzon, Zach Wise, Sam Morris and the Las Vegas Sun for sharing the truth and exposing a seriously flawed system. I am incensed at the lack of concern that was demonstrated by Mr. Feldman, Mr. Lenhart and Perini Building. I ask that all of my brother's Brotherhood of Ironworkers, as well as all of the other trades, come together to make the changes necessary provide a safer work place and save lives. Together, we can have a mighty voice. Start electing Officials at every level, beginning with your Unions, that represent what is best for you, not the Contractors. Lastly, I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the other families that have experienced the same loss and pain. May god bless you and heal you.
Gratefully,
Monique Billingsley Cole