Building Trades News

Feature Story

Crafts Demonstrate in Orange County for the Right to Organize

On Jan. 8, Building Trades unions demonstrated in the City of Brea in support of the right of union representatives to access a private construction job which is allowed by the California law. The Supreme Court has upheld this right several times.
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Built to Last: Southern California Cement Masons Apprenticeship

By Roy San Filippo, Steff Writer | Photos by Slobodan Dimitrov

“Our work stays,” said Carlos Martinez, Apprenticeship Instructor for the Southern California Cement Masons. “What we build isn’t just going to be around for 10 or 12 years. It’s built to last.”
With five training locations throughout Southern California including a brand new training center that recently opened in Arcadia that serves Locals 500 and 600 and an experienced cadre of instructors, the Southern California Cement Masons Apprenticeship program is also here to stay

From the Executive-Secretary

2010: The Year of the Job!

All through 2009, stimulus funding has been promised as the necessary “kick start” for the economy, and it still can be. However we haven’t yet seen the boost in infrastructure development that was expected.

Although Congress approved stimulus funding in February of 2009, the manner in which the money has been distributed has held up many projects – even those that were rushed through the permitting process.

Building Trades craft unions from Orange County stepped up their support of the United Labor Agency of Orange County (ULAOC) this holiday season after over $100,000 in food and toys were stolen from the organization over the Thanksgiving holiday. The organization runs a food bank and provides limited financial assistance primarily to union families. They also give out toys during the holidays to needy families.

Wind Turbine, Photovoltaics Could Generate 100 Percent of Campus’ Electricity

By Beige Luciano-Adams, Contributing Writer

In a promising addition to LAUSD’s historic, $27-billion construction and modernization program, a new high school development in San Pedro may become one of the country’s “greenest.” South Region High School #15 (SR HS 15) will be built to accommodate wind turbine and photovoltaic systems that could generate nearly 100 percent of its own electricity.

Project Providing Steady Work in Tough Times

More than a year after starting construction, Trades members are working on schedule to deliver Kaiser Permanente’s new $500 million hospital complex in Orange County.

Heralded as a “godsend” by union reps during one of the worst periods of the downturn – and in an area that was particularly hard-hit – the project is still providing jobs for a large number of members.

Make it easy to buy Union – LA labor 411

Trades Headlines

Permits Jump, Signal Construction Gains

(Bloomberg, January 20)

Building permits in the U.S. unexpectedly jumped in December, signaling gains in housing will be sustained into 2010 after winter weather depressed construction at the end of last year.

New L.A. luxury hotels face tough debuts

(LA Times, January 16)

The newest downtown hotel complex buzzed with activity this week as carpenters, electricians and gardeners hustled to put the finishing touches on the $970-million skyscraper that rises over the Los Angeles Convention Center and the L.A. Live entertainment center.

California approves toughest statewide green building code in U.S.

(USA Today, January 13)

California approved Tueday the most stringent, eco-friendly statewide building code in the United States.

The new code, which won a unanimous vote by the state building commssion and will apply to new homes, hospitals, schools and shopping malls, takes effect next Janaury.

Stimulus projects delayed by review backlog

LA Times, January 4

Construction projects funded by federal stimulus money aimed at jump-starting California’s economy are being delayed as much as two months because of a bureaucratic backlog, the state’s inspector general said Monday.

Sunset Strip is getting its first repaving in 75 years

LA Times, Decemebr 31

Business owners say they hope the Sunset Strip repaving project will help enliven the area. About 1.6 miles of the road, which was last paved in the 1930s, will be resurfaced. The project will take about six months.

Mega Projects and Mega Questions

LA Downtown News, December 30

In 2010, major developments planned in sunnier times will finish construction. The activity will take place all across Downtown, with hotels, housing complexes and more debuting everywhere from the Historic Core to the Figueroa Corridor. Here are five mega-projects Downtown is eagerly anticipating:

California's renewable pipeline hits nearly 70 GW

Reuters, December 29

Renewable energy projects proposed in California total nearly 70 gigawatts, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said on Tuesday, a large pipeline that could help the state meet its renewable energy goals.

2009 Labor Day March and Parade in Wilmington

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