Ascent Warner Center Up In Smoke

It never ceases to amaze me how some developers will cut corners on construction by hiring non-union subcontractors then act surprised when things don’t work out. Today I turned on the radio to hear the news of a fire at a project I’m only too familiar with; The Ascent in Warner Center. I’ve referred to this project as the “Ass-Scent” in the past. I’ve visited this job site many times and I’ve always been amazed that inspectors haven’t shut it down. In my opinion the quality of construction is terrible.

I’ve worked in the industry for 20 years. My first union electrical construction project was the Trillium just 2 building to the North. For 20 years I’ve driven by those towers and thought what a great job we did. I’m proud of those towers. It’s a good thing too because this is my neighborhood. I’ve lived here all my life. We don’t need KB Homes building some cheap ass second rate piece of crap in the San Fernando Valley. Shame on them!

There was a concern at one point that the fire might spread to another recently completed project to the North. That didn’t happen. Thank God all the workers at the Ascent were able to escape! Had the Santa Ana winds been fanning the flames, this poorly constructed (in my opinion) residential tinderbox could have turned out to be a catastrophe.

Afterwards workers hanging out across the street were warned not to speculate about the cause of the fire, but the word was already out….. According to 2 electricians on the scene, sparks were seen falling in a bathroom shortly before the evacuation. Where were the fire extinguishers??? Were they even used? Were they charged? Was someone cutting a corner? Will someone please ask these questions in the coming days?

Dozens of fire trucks lined Irwin Street and smoke continued to bellow from the center of the mostly wood residential project. A fast walking WRI employee said he had never been on a project that caught fire in the past. I pressed him for more information but was told that arson investigators are on the scene and that he had no more comments.

There were early reports in the news that the building is a total loss. I think this is a little premature. The fire fighters seem to think it was contained to the 4th floor. What I can tell you is that anyone that purchases one of these condominiums should have their head examined. Why would anyone want to take the risk? And why would any insurance company want to touch it? If the Building and Safety Department doesn’t take a closer look at other residential projects more problems like these could arise or should I say “Ascend”.

Don't Fall for it Northridge

Sometimes a construction site just begs for OSHA to visit. This non union job on Reseda Blvd. in Northridge California is a perfect example. Since OSHA is just a skeleton of what it once was after the Bush Administration gutted the program nothing is likely to be done about it. Watch the video to see what I mean.

Nonunion Retirement Crisis

In 2006 just 14% of nonunion workers in America had employer provided pension coverage. When you compare this with the 68% of union workers it’s not hard to see how one decision can make a world of difference in a person’s life. More and more employers are shifting the burden of retirement to employees. With the Bush administration pushing for the replacement of traditional pension plans with self directed 401K plans, you have to wonder, “What will happen to the workers who outlive their retirement savings?” Will nonunion workers be forced to work additional years? How does such a move affect the quality of a person’s life?



A recent study out of Boston College showed that 401K plans return less on investments than traditional pension plans. Are studies like these going unnoticed by workers at so called “merit-shops?” There’s a blog post on the AFL-CIO website written by Tula Connell entitled, A Key Solution to America’s Shrinking Middle Class: Union Membership. I would recommend that anyone considering working for a nonunion employer especially in the construction industry, read this article before making such a decision. All too often, people put off planning for their retirement until it's too late.

The end of the Journey?

Industry insiders speculated this week that Journey Electrical Technologies Inc. a nonunion electrical contractor may be heading for bankruptcy. I can hardly control my grief (satire). Some say that the company is late in paying wholesale houses for materials and creditors are tired of being taken for a ride. Employee’s at a project in Burbank, California reported hearing the same rumor a few weeks back but were assured everything is fine. Aren’t the employee’s always the last to find out? Is this the end of the road for Journey? If so, what led to their demise? Is this a good thing for the industry? Here's your chance to chime in.