Heading into the summer bargaining season, the goodwill created between New York City contractors and construction unions during landmark labor negotiations in 2009 appears to be spent. Labor bosses are crying foul over an employer campaign aimed at reducing the gap between union and open-shop rates. Photo: For ENR By Michael Falco New York building firms’ rep Coletti (left) and union head LaBarbera in 2009 after inking pact to cut costs. Relations now are strained. Rather than working exclusively with union trades representatives, the Building Trades Employers’ Association, which represents about 1,700 contractors citywide, is reaching out directly to rank-and-file

Even with his acquittal last year of criminal charges in the 2008 fatal collapse of a New York City tower crane, union master rigger William Rapetti likens the legal battle to regain his still-suspended city licenses to “double indemnity,” he says. In transcripts just released of administrative law hearings held in December, lawyers for the city’s Dept. of Buildings pressed for the continued suspension of Rapetti’s rigging and crane-operating licenses, despite the non-jury ruling by a Manhattan Supreme Court judge that exonerated him of manslaughter charges in the collapse that killed seven. Debra Herlica, Buildings Dept. attorney, argued that the

Buried in the Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives of the NYU Tamiment Library, lies a faded, typewritten document recounting the origin of the New York Building Congress.

Before a courtroom filled with rank-and-file workers, Michael Forde, former executive secretary-treasurer of the New York District Council of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, was sentenced on Nov. 19 to 11 years in prison, an additional three years of supervised release and restitution. He pleaded guilty in July to participating in what Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Zornberg called a �mind boggling� 15-year racketeering scheme. On July 28, 2010, Forde admitted to taking bribes from multiple contractors, helping contractors cheat the District Council Benefit Funds out of millions of dollars, rigging job assignments, lying under oath, and obstructing investigations

Before a courtroom filled with rank-and-file workers, Michael Forde, former executive secretary-treasurer of the New York District Council of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, was sentenced to 11 years in prison, an additional three years of supervised release and restitution. He pleaded guilty in July to participating in what Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa Zornberg called a �mind boggling� 15-year racketeering scheme. On July 28, 2010, Forde admitted to taking bribes from multiple contractors, helping contractors cheat the District Council Benefit Funds out of millions of dollars, rigging job assignments, lying under oath, and obstructing investigations into his conduct.

Lower Manhattan Starbucks would be the last place one would expect to find the man New York City prosecutors tried to portray as “Wild Bill Rapetti.” Photo:AP Rapetti on the media spectacle that surrounded his “perp walk” shortly after turning himself in to authorities: “It was disgusting.” Photo Courtesy Of The Rapetti Family Rapetti on his acquittal: “I feel like the Verizon commercial. ‘Do you hear me now?’” Rapetti, the master rigger who was recently acquitted on manslaughter charges stemming from the deadly collapse of a 200-ft tower crane in Manhattan in 2008, was called “reckless” by the prosecution and

“It’s not for girls.” Photo Courtesy Of Lenore Janis In the 1970s Janis lobbied then-Gov. Mario Cuomo [receiving an award from Janis above] to set a goal of 5% participation for female contractors on all state-funded projects. That’s how Lenore Janis describes the reaction to her childhood interest in the family business. As the association Janis founded – the Professional Women in Construction – celebrates its 30th anniversary this year she’s been able to reflect upon and enjoy just how much progress she and other women have made in an industry that once rejected them. Janis loves to talk about

Starbucks would be the last place one would expect to find the man New York City prosecutors tried to portray as “Wild Bill Rapetti.” Photo: Renee Rapetti Rapetti embraces a coworker during an event honoring crane-accident victims. Related Links: Full text of interview and reader comments Rapetti Wants His Licenses Back Rapetti, the master rigger recently acquitted on manslaughter charges stemming from the deadly 2008 collapse of a Manhattan tower crane, was called “reckless” by the prosecution and vilified as the “killer crane rigger” in the tabloids. But during an interview with ENR, Rapetti sat in the coffee shop, sipping

Rigger William Rapetti was acquitted in July of all criminal charges against him in connection with the deadly collapse of a tower crane in New York City on March 15, 2008. However, with both of his licenses taken away, he says it has been difficult “to get my life back.” When he talked with ENR by telephone recently, Rapetti was waiting in his union hall because his rigging and crane operating licenses have been revoked by the city. Not having these credentials has forced him to turn down three jobs. Only his rigging license was in play at the collapse,

The only person criminally prosecuted for the deadly collapse of a 200-ft tower crane in Manhattan was acquitted last week of all charges, but New York City’s sweeping safety reforms following the accident remain in place. Photo By Hermann/ny Daily News Rigger accused of mansalughter is free, but questions about crane collapse continue. New York Supreme Court Judge Roger Hayes’ tersely worded verdict declared master rigger William Rapetti not guilty on a multitude of charges, including manslaughter and negligent homicide for his role in the collapse that killed seven and injured dozens more. But several regulations imposed by the city’s