Building Trades News

$369-Million, 900,000 Square-Foot Mixed Use Project in Downtown Glendale Built with Union Labor

The Americana at Brand project, Caruso Affiliated’s massive $369 million mixed-use project in Glendale is on track for its spring 2008 opening. Demolition of the buildings on site was completed in March 2006; grading began on the project a month later and construction started in August 2006. The project, which has also been called "The Grove East" after another of Caruso’s successful retail developments, will redevelop 15.5 acres of formerly underutilized and blighted properties to create a new southern anchor in southern downtown Glendale, complimenting the Galleria and the shops and entertainment located on Brand Boulevard.

Hillary Clinton speaks to the hundreds of community and IBEW members on the growing influence of organized labor in California

Primary election season kicked off in Southern California at IBEW Local 11’s Electrical Training Institute in the City of Commerce on Jan. 11. Democratic hopeful Hillary Clinton spoke to hundreds of community members including IBEW members. Joining Sen. Clinton at the event was LA Mayor Antonio
Villaraigosa and Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, both of whom have endorsed Clinton. Clinton’s campaign stop at the ETI speaks to the growing political influence of organized labor, particularly in California. Labor’s ability to turn out its members to support pro-labor candidates is making elected officials stand up and take notice.

Several Class Action Suits Seek Recovery of Unpaid Overtime Wages

Workers at ConAm Inspection and Engineering Services, Inc, Total Western, QCI and CES have filed class action lawsuits alleging that the companies have violated CA construction industry Wage Order 16 and engaged in unfair competition by failing to pay employees overtime wages due for hours worked in excess of eight hours per day. In addition they failed to provide mandated meal breaks to employees and other violations.

Community, City Working Together to Ensure Successful Development Project

As the long-awaited San Pedro Waterfront project continues to move through the Environmental Impact Report process, port officials have continued to meet with community members and other stakeholder to flesh out the project details.