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Aug. 20, 2008
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Booze photos spark firings

Pair seen in pictures at bar lose jobs at CityCenter project

By ARNOLD M. KNIGHTLY
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Two more union workers have been fired from CityCenter after being identified in photographs as drinking alcohol and entering the construction site, the project's general contractor said Tuesday.

The two electricians, including a union steward, were fired late last week.

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    • They had been photographed by the Review-Journal after the newspaper received reports from readers who said they had observed construction workers drinking at nearby bars and outside Strip construction sites.

    Five union workers -- including three ironworkers who were fired on Aug. 7 -- have been fired by Perini Building Co., the general contractor on MGM Mirage's $9.2 billion development, after being photographed drinking and then entering the CityCenter job site in violation of rules set by the unions and contractors.

    The names of the workers have not been released.

    Over a six-week period, 10 workers were observed at bars across from the development drinking before entering the job site. On Aug. 5, photos of eight of the men were shown to Perini and MGM Mirage officials.

    Calls seeking comment from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 357 about the latest dismissals were not returned by press time.

    The Review-Journal story is prompting action from government officials, too.

    County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani last week said she plans to ask the various construction unions and contractors what standards are in place to regulate alcohol and drug use on job sites.

    "We should at least find out what the standard is and what is acceptable and not acceptable," she said last week.

    Giunchigliani is chairwoman of an eight-person committee of lawmakers and industry veterans who are looking at possible legislation to tighten construction safety standards that may be considered in Carson City next year.

    The committee, which was set up in the wake of 12 construction worker deaths along the Strip in the past 19 months, first met in late June. The committee meets next month, but a date has not yet been set.

    Doug Mure, Perini Corp.'s vice president of human resources and risk management, said in a statement that the company continues to investigate the Review-Journal report.

    Giunchigliani said she is interested in what language unions have negotiated into their collective bargaining agreements regarding alcohol and drug testing.

    Also, she said she wants to know what policies contractors have and what their safety plans do to remind workers that they will be terminated for drinking.

    According to the most recent four-year labor agreement between contractors and United Association Union Local 525, which is composed of plumbers and pipe fitters on the CityCenter project, workers are prohibited from "having present in their bodies during working hours detectable levels of drugs or alcohol over the nationally recognized standard."

    The agreement, which can vary by union, allows for workers to be tested before they hired and if they are involved in an accident. They can also be tested once a year around their birthdays, according to the agreement.

    However, the union's language allowing random testing when there is "reasonable suspicion" a worker is under the influence of drugs does not mention alcohol.

    Giunchigliani, who was surprised to read about workers drinking and returning to the job site, said workers need to think beyond themselves before engaging in such activity.

    "What people have to remember is that you endanger your peers and co-workers," she said. "Even if you're choosing to be stupid, it's not just you."

    Contact reporter Arnold M. Knightly at aknightly@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893.

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    Yohan Sebastian wrote on August 24, 2008 03:11 PM: these guys are helping prop up local business "establishments"

    what's wrong with that? especially in such tough economic times


    DESERT PLUMBER wrote on August 20, 2008 04:48 PM: Way to go UA Local 525.... You are truly a leader among unions by testing ON THEIR BIRTHDAY !!! Nothing quite like KNOWING the EXACT day you will be tested !! Bravo Bravo !!!


    Maxwell Steinberg wrote on August 20, 2008 03:51 PM: There is no excuse period for drinking on the job. We are paid to provide the best possible service and drinking on the job inhibits that. Considering that there have been work related injuries at City Center, nobody should be intoxicated. My employer would fire me if I came in intoxicated and he has every right to do so. Those construction workers took a risk knowing that they could be fired and so be it.


    K wrote on August 20, 2008 03:48 PM: Hey, to all of you who think this is a
    joke. Remember that these people are
    drinking (some to excess) at bars
    after (or during) and especially on
    Friday (payday). Many are drinking
    to excess and driving afterward.
    The bartenders don't care. They are
    getting tipped and we all want money,
    don't we? Then they are either going
    back to work and worse yet driving.
    When you get a phone call that your
    child was just hit or worse yet, sitting at a bus stop and killed by
    one of these folks, it won't be so funny. Alcohol and all elicit drugs
    belong at home after work is done.
    Sorry, I have lost too many family
    members and see this as a serious problem. Checks need to be cashed
    at banks, not bars or casinos. Many
    casino's have stopped this practice.
    Go ahead and laugh until it is your loved one who is dead due to irresponsibility.


    casinocon wrote on August 20, 2008 01:57 PM: Let's say a big guy has a Bud Light with his burger and fries at lunch, along with a glass of water. I don't see how he would be impaired or have "a detectable level of alcohol above the national standard." These workers should have gotten by with a written warning, and ALL workers should be told that NO alcohol (or drug) consumption will be tolerated on lunch or breaks. I'm certain if these workers understood the consequences they wouldn't have ordered that beer.


    hilobamacaine wrote on August 20, 2008 11:52 AM: oh yeah!! i like that direct deposit deal,lets go one better and just give them a card like food stamp recipients get that way the can't buy alchohol at all even after work that will keep all those hooligans on the straight and narrow...my name is k and i am running for nanny of las vegas and i approved this message


    too sick of Tommy wrote on August 20, 2008 11:11 AM: Yawn. Wake me when you have something original to say.


    Stuey wrote on August 20, 2008 11:04 AM: It was just reported that a worker at City Center was injured when an air conditioning unit fell on him. The LVRJ has pictures of the air conditioning unit at a local bar just minutes before the accident. Apparently the unit was impaired at the time of the accident. Tomorrow, the LVRJ will publish photos of the unit on top of a bar stool with an open bottle of Bud Light on the bar in front of it. For the following two or three weeks, the LVRJ will publish similar articles recounting this boring story.


    too sick of Tommy hater wrote on August 20, 2008 10:53 AM: too sick of Tommy must be an educated empty suit liberal.
    You are clearly disturbed and need therapy.


    too sick of Tommy wrote on August 20, 2008 10:43 AM: two much tax Tom:
    Stop wasting everybody's time with your crazy ranting. You are clearly a disturbed and uneducated individual. You're nothing more than a partisan puppet, and you never contribute any meaningful posts on this site. Please go away.


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