Organized Labor

Carpet, Tile 12 Lay Flooring High in the Sky

By Richard Bermack, Contributing Writer and Photographer

Fifty California Street is one of the tallest buildings in San Francisco, stretching 487 feet high, with 37 stories and over half a million square feet of floor space. For the office building to function, all those floors must be covered with an attractive, comfortable and inviting surface, and that’s the job of Carpet, Linoleum and Soft Tile Workers Local 12. They install everything from carpet to hardwood floors.

Building the Trades

Cahill Contractors and a Sad Business

By Michael Theriault, Secretary-Treasurer

Foremen, general foremen, and often superintendents in the Building Trades hold an unusual and maybe unique place in the American labor system. Unlike supervisors in almost any other line of work, while they run work, hire, and fire on behalf of the employer, they are also union members.

This dual role is formally incorporated in our master agreements. It represents also an informal compact. Trades supervisors must at once assure that the employer’s work goes well and understand and work with the unions. This dual role is essential to the success of unionized construction.

Transbay Tower Breaks Ground

Friday, May 10, 2013

4,200 Construction Jobs Expected

City officials and building trades representatives gathered with the developers of the Transbay Tower at a ceremonial groundbreaking at the construction site on March 27.

Women’s Conference Draws Hundreds

Friday, May 10, 2013

By Michael Messina, Contributing Writer

More than 650 female members of the building trades came together in Sacramento last month for the 3rd annual Women Building California and the Nation conference.

Cranes Fill Skyline as Construction Booms

Monday, April 8, 2013

click to enlarge

By Michael Messina, Contributing Writer

Construction in San Francisco is looking up. Across the city, dozens of cranes tower above the skyline, offering a welcome visual reminder that the building industry is once again booming in the City.

Golden State Warriors Revamp Arena Proposal

Monday, April 8, 2013

Maritime Interests and Cruise Ships Considered in Final Design

Owners of the Golden State Warriors are redesigning their proposed arena project slated for Piers 30-32 to accommodate docking of cruise ships and freighters on the deep-water pier.

Moscone Center Expansion Moves Forward

Monday, April 8, 2013

Funding Plan Approved

By Paul Burton

Plans to expand Moscone Center cleared another major hurdle in February when the Board of Supervisors approved a funding plan based largely on hotel tax revenue.

Trades Headlines

Calif. Unemp. Rate Drops to 9.0 Percent; State Adds 10,400 Jobs

May 17

One bright spot in the reduced job gains is that two long-struggling industries added jobs last month: construction and manufacturing.

New Kings Arena Drawings Released

May 17

Drawings of the proposed downtown Arena released by AECOM and city of Sacramento.

New SoMa Park Approved Despite Concerns

May 15

In an arrangement with the state transit department, Caltrans, The City will lease the parcels, both currently surface parking lots, for 20 years for $5.3 million.

Bay Bridge Official: ‘Fighting Chance’ For 2013 Opening

May 14

Its Labor Day opening date is in jeopardy after the failure of the long, seismic safety rods that attach the bridge deck to earthquake shock absorbers called “shear keys.”

Orinda Residents Express Outrage Over Regional Growth Plan

May 10

Some residents are demanding city leaders address the plan before it transforms their "semirural" city into a "stack and pack" hell.