It would be highly unusual for a building the size of the proposed Buffalo City Tower to be built without union workers especially for the skilled licensed trades.

Ask any of Buffalo's economic development agencies....unions and high NY business taxes are the main reasons why Buffalo is lagging behind the rest of the world. Local 210 are a bunch of worthless slackers who are keeping this area down.

Better yet, let's picket Local 210's office and tell the world how much they suck and are hurting this area.

I agree, it is usually union that would do a job of this scale, yet at the same time union wages can be crushing. if somebody wants 50- an hour to push a broom, then there had better be a PHD attached to his/her name!

Using the unions as a reason to not do something is sad. As a former union member I find the article offensive. Tell the workers in China who are paid 40 cents an hour that unions are a hinderance. Even those who perform "menial" tasks deserve a living wage and benefits to help them live a decent life. Unions are not what ruin industry rather it is greedy owners and shareholders that ruin industry.

Flyguy, it was the greedy owners and shareholders that ruined GM, Ford and Chrysler? In 1965 a share of GM stock was worth about 50 bucks. Today it's worth 24 bucks. And it never split. If you adjust it for inflation the stock has probably lost more than 95% of its value since that time. Looks like the greedy shareholders really made a killing.

And of course the demise of GM, Ford and Chrysler have absolutely nothing to do with their greedy, militant, in-your-face, adverserial unions.

Flyguy - do you really think a broom pusher deserves $50 an hour? Really?????

Unions can be both beneficial and harmful. Unions have the ability to protect fair wages, medical benefits, job security, and retirement options that many corporations would be more than willing to cut to decrease costs. However many unions (not all) have fallen from grace by leaching more than they care to give back. The problem here is lack of responsibility on both the big business side AND the union side. Big Business has a responsibility to pay fair wages and unions have a responsibilty to fight for fair wages. Instead we get businesses that want to pay as little as possible, and unions who fight for as much as possible.

Perry- you go picked 210's offices and let us know how that makes out for you. Bring a baseball bat.

Unions and politicians- a bad mix that have crippled this town for too long. $50/hour? For reals?

First, you must do a little better and research what unions have done for ALL workers. Second, leaving the union argument behind, have you researched BSC? They (he) do not complete half of the grand plans that they (he) come up with. Don't get me wrong, I like the guy and his plans, but don't blame union workers when a project doesn't come to fruition.

I thought this Elmwood hippie crowd would be pro-union? Stop everyone, you are ruining the 'BRO Crowd' stereotype!

Finally, using the $50 to push a broom is the extreme. Anyone can manipulate numbers to make their argument. Just maybe this "broom pusher" is a skilled electrician and 5% of their time is spent "pushing a broom." Be fair in your arguments against and don't just pull numbers out of the air.

Now all of a suddend - everyone on here is an elmwood hippie? Are they really taking down that ugly Barnes Firm awning? I need to go by and take a look.

Steel is right; buildings of this stature usually demand union workers. That may not be good but it is reality, and not just in Buffalo.

And Newell, I feel the same about possibly losing the tower, but your comments about unskilled union workers as "menial," and the whole tone of your post just make the issue more divisive. It would be more useful to have the facts of the negotiations: are the unskilled workers all being paid 50/hr? What are the rates and for which jobs? BRO needs someone with experience and knowledge about this issue to write about it. Because you're just writing from emotion, and that's not going to help people understand this. Get better writers!

Dear Unions, Thanks for incentivising all our big companies into sending our jobs to Asian countries and for letting Mexicans do the rest. Best regards, The Remainging American Workforce

Why aren't the northern states taking the hints from the southern and western states that have the Right to Work Law? Agree or disagree with it all you want, but these are the states that are taking the north's companies, and the worker's are following them there.

With all due respect to Bashar, how can you invest your money into construction projects of this scale, in this city, and not anticipate unionized labor costs? I'll assume he regularly receives advice from both friends and business associates in Buffalo - where the hell have they been all these years to let Bashar put himself in a position where unskilled laborers could "make or break" these projects.

Unionized labor is a major obstacle of construction projects and investment in our region - but unions are not the only ones to be held accountable. Surely our politicians should have been interested to a few details regarding these important projects for downtown - it appears they chose to celebrate and manufacture some political mileage rather than roll up their sleeves to ensure the projects could be a success. What about the commercial realtors involved in this?

You don't open an outdoor tiki bar in Alaska and then blame the weather...and you don't invest hundreds of millions to build a skyscraper in a rust belt city and then blame the requirements of unionized labor. How can you blame his workers? If someone offered you twice the money to do the same job, wouldn't you be interested?

I'm sure there is much more to this story or other issues causing problems. I hope it can be worked out and local business leaders and politicians should get involved. If Bashar gives up, nobody wins and we all lose - and other developers outside Buffalo who may be contemplating investment say "I figured as much".

hmmm, the post WAS changed, so I go with Eliz on this one, maybe more research should of been done before hastly throwing a blog up! This one could backfire on you BR!

Does BSC have to use unionized workers? Also, a couple of interviews with workers who voted pro union would have been interesting so as to learn what their motivations were for joining the union.

Such a Catch 22. I'm all for worker's rights and the ability of general labor to support a family. But what about when there are no jobs at all for those workers?

And the "$50 broom pusher" idea definitely sensationalizes the idea, making it difficult for uninformed people, like myself, to make good judgement on the situation.

I would expect that some jobs on construction sites need to be done by union workers. Plumbers, electricians ect. but the general wokrers who knock down walls and hammer crap together dont need to unionize. I cant imangine building the 40-story tower with zero union workers.

And as for the tower; if he cant afford the whole thing why not scale it down 10 or 15 floors. at 30 stories it would still be skyline altering

THE ONLY THING I HAVE TO SAY IS...............I TOLD YOU SO!!!!

Too many people in this town and on this site assuming the tower would be built - IT WON'T and I said it all along. Too many people in this town are dreamers, " they like to count their chickens before they hatch."

As I have said so many times, do not set unrealistic expectaions for Buffalo (like so many people do) becuase when the project falls through (AS IT ALWAYS DOES) its just more DEMORALIZING news for Buffalo that rest of the country has to witness.

Where does your optimism get you now?

The real life problems still remain with no real life solution!

DID BASHAR REALLY THINK HE WAS GOING TO COME TO BUFFALO, MAKE A BUNCH OF MONEY, WALTZ IN AND WALTZ OUT, with out this happening.

COOOMMMMEEEE ON!

He is a 29 yr old, wet behind the ears, trust fund baby that doesn't know shit about real world development, especially here.

Gaustad- you called it! Great job man! You're awesome!

BSC Group's Bashar Issa is a great guy and has found a jewl of a city in Buffalo. We need to make sure that we as a city help him as well as other development companies when it comes to creating jobs and opportunities in WNY. Unions have to play a hand in building the massive tower that is planned and the tower does look incredible if you havn't seen it. But, unions need to be realistic in the fact that they will not be the exclusive workers on this project and that it will only be built with union and non-union workers building this thing side by side. Does Buffalo need this massive structure... kind of... We need something to attract more businesses to Buffalo but right now there won't be enough local businesses to fill the commercial sections of the building, at least not right away. I believe there will be a condo section and I'll probably be one of the 1st to take a strong look at purchasing one as I loved having a loft downtown.

BSC Group & Bashar need our support.

Amir McKelvey

Shouldn't you be more concerned with your 9 game losing streak

I AM REALLY FU-KING EMBARASSED FOR THIS TOWN.

Look at all the talk and rendeings of "Buffalo City tower" - how many super imposed pictures were rendered with the tower in the new skyline. How much talk and time was wasted?

Pie in the sky - where is Hashma now? Letf town did you?

A 40 story grand tower of this magnitude will NEVER be built in Buffalo until there are people and jobs moving here - ECON 101 - supply and demand -

Right now there is NO demand for this even if there is a so called "anchor tenant" - and the city is so corrupt that the tower would never be built unitl somone's pockets were greased.

FURTHERMORE, I find it hard to believe there is any real work going on at the Statler. It is suppose to open this summer - YEA RIGHT? Someone please investigate if this is really happening for us...

PEOPLE, this is a text book flip - Bashar will secure this structure, clean it up, shop it and FLIP IT -

WRITE DOWN THE DAY AND TIME OF THIS POST - I GUARANTEE IT!

Newell, - this article is very real and I appreciate that, HOWEVER, it is true that you must do a little more due diligence and start coming up with some factual data.

Ok, first and foremost, I really believe that unions were an important part of labor, however with that said, I believe that their time has past. The city and county are financially unstable due to the demands of the union. Unfortunately for the city and county, due to state laws, they have no other options than to work with the local unions. For a private developer however, there should be no obligation to work with unionized labor. For the majority of us who are non-union labor, we are NOT entitled to guaranteed rasies every year, and we DON'T get to choose our health care providors, and we HAVE to pay for these benefits. We are NOT guaranteed a job. We are paid based on job performance. To operate a company efficiently, why would you have it any other way. Unions encourage people to only work as hard they have to, and allows no reward for going the extra mile.

So, with that said, the Issa project, along with countless others, should not be tied up with union pressure. If you are only making $10 an hour, you are lucky to be a citizen of this great country, where you have the opportunity to go get another job that pays better. You also have the benefit of gaining further education to allow you to advance to that better paying job. As for Issa, he has to option of not utilizing unionized labor. If his current workers have unionized, then maybe he should re-bid the work, and realize the cost savings. If he chooses to do this, there should be no union retaliation or picketing. Let business be....let him, and others like him succeed. Local government makes it tough enough to get things done as it is. Union members need to realize that while there is corporate greed, there also is union greed. It is coruption and greed by many that has gotten us to where we are, so I am all but certain that coruption and greed will not get us out of this.

Well if he can make it work without a government subsidy and non-union workers then its simple just give issa basshar a subsidy to compensate him for union expenses

We have to do one of two things 1) either brake the unions so that government and businesses so that development isnt held hostage 2) compensate developers for union costs

HOLY SH*T...NOW EVERYONE CAN SEE WHAT I'VE BEEN WRITING ABOUT FOR MONTHS...GREAT JOB UNIONS!

The tower was a pipe dream all along. Blame 210 if you want, the tower would never have been built regardless. There is no demand for a structure like that in this city. If there were demand, Issa would find away to get it down without union interference.

SLEEPL8 - one of the few realists

I'm old enough to remember when the vast majority of manufacturing jobs in the Buffalo area were unionized. For the most part, these jobs provided a middle class or near middle class existence for workers and their families. Their wages were a part of the economic cycle. Those wages bought houses, cars, refrigerators, washing machines, etc. There was even enough for a savings account or some help with a state University or College tuition if managed wisely. Other non union workers and executives benefited from this participation in the economic cycle because it helped to pay their salaries and raise the general standard of living, and their companies did well too. In other words, there was balance.

There is a common misperception that unions have killed most of the manufacturing jobs in Buffalo starting with Bethlehem Steel. They had a role but being 60% of Lackawanna's tax base, the prospect of immense costs to bring its facilities up to OSHA Code Standards and cheaper costs in a more modernized facility in Sparrows Point, Maryland had a lot more to do with it. So the start of Buffalo's economic demise? Probably, and for all the often overlooked vendors and suppliers for Bethlehem, it was devastating. What's most startling in my mind about Bethlehem Steel today is that it no longer exists and all the other steel companies that were in Buffalo also no longer exist. What bothers me the most about what's happened to Buffalo, to all the cities in the Rust Belt and to the manufacturing industry and labor in America is that they were sold a bill of tremendous falsehood. American politicians sold the American people on the idea that trade agreements will bring cheaper prices and many new jobs. When these same politicians were questioned about what jobs would replace manufacturing jobs headed out of the country, the answer was "high technology jobs", "technology jobs" or "computer jobs" and "Everyone will be retrained". As we all know, that never happened and I have serious doubts that, despite what some of the current Presidential candidates are saying, "It's not to late to reverse this course". It is too late. These trade agreements managed to do what the corporate types of the America that I knew growing up couldn't do. They broke the stability of the economic

Would thse doing the editing please insert the word "cycle" and a perios at the end of my post? Thank you.

The pro union libs can say whatever they want, but as gaustad pointed out its simple ECON101 - The union has no right to come in and force $50/hr broom sweepers on any company. If there are people willing to work for the market rate and skilled, then they should be hired. The best product for the best price is what anyone wants. The same people who back the unions are the same people secretly shopping at Walmart because they don't want to pay more for toilet paper. Its the same thing. Issa for sure does not want to pay more for workers that he can *legally* get for 1/2 as much and do the same job. Why should he have to? Because Buffalo is being choked by backward and out of date unions and politicians? No. America is a free market and based off of capitalism.

One thing to remember...

He doesn't HAVE to build in here....

The state should be giving incentives to issa for Buffalo development. This is a man that comes into Buffalo, privately funds his own projects (unlike the large sums being given to Bass Pro), and actually makes progress. He has already made significant changes to the Statler on a timeline that is faster than any other development that I see going on in Buffalo. It seems completely unreal that the community of workers are driving him out through unions. His workers won't have to fight for higher wages for long because when he leaves so will their jobs. With this lack of courtesy to outside investors Buffalo will continue to be a city that "once was" instead of a city that "is".

"I have a degree, an MBA, a PHD and I don't make that much money" Are you kidding me? Do you think that just because you survived the "rigors" of higher education that you somehow deserve to be compensated better than some guy who busts his ass day in,day out, especially in this climate? Was the poor fellow who lost his life working on the Webb building being overcompensated? Please, if you have never done this type of work before, refrain from making comments about how much someone should be paid. I have a four year degree, spent several years in the banking industry, but for the last 18 years have been employed as a skilled union craftsman. I can tell you firsthand that sitting in a cozy cubicle or classroom does not make any of you experts on what "menial" labor is worth.

Flyguy - A mistake that many people make is when they look at a country like China and say "wow they only make $0.40 per hour that is terrible". Well maybe it is, but what does a loaf of bread cost? How much does it cost to live? If they only make $0.40 per hour and bread costs $0.04 a loaf they it isn't so bad. That would be like making about $40k per year here. Please use all of the facts when making statements like this.

Just another note to Flyguy. After 6 years of college and having a great professional job in an awesome industry I have to tell you that I don't make $40/hour. $40/hour is WAY higher then some living wage that you are talking about. Actually it is over $80k per year. How many people do you know that make that much for even well paid jobs? Now why should some jackass union guy that has no skills make that same money? Answer is that he shouldn't. People make more money when the job they do can be done by few people. Anyone can push a broom - give me $80k and I'll push a mop too! I take offense to you taking offense to this article.

Why is this such a big deal. Bashar Issa lives outside of the US and should be used to this? The US is the least Unionized country in the industrialized world. In Europe if he didn't use unionized labor they would be marching in the streets, burning cars, and shut the country down in solidarity. In the US just Blame the unions for all the the problems and cry There Pay hasen't kept up with inflation. Issa probalyhas 10 Mantions and more stuff than one man can use. Not slagging on Issa but thats the cost of doing business providing a living wage.

crackhouse --- After reading your comment about menial work, it reminds me of all the years I worked for my father wheelbarrowing tons and tons of blacktop for all the driveways I worked on. Yes, I work in a lovely cubicle, but I work at the Central Terminal so I can get my hands dirty.

BTD - no I'm not aware of the OSHA violations - enlighten me.

OSHA violations involving asbestos removal- been the talk of downtown for a few weeks now.

I guarantee there is no Janitor making $30 a hour strait time+ benefits. Never believe what you here about wages, it may include health care benefits, 401K matching contributions, projected overtime, taxes that an employer pays per employee State & federal , and who know what else they want to throw in. If that were the case WE ARE the Dopes that went to collage. We should have dropped out of the 8th grade shoveled bricks for $40 a hour, drink beer bought hoes and live the life. I remember the day when the Buffalo News used to say GM employees made $90 a hour, that’s nonsense.

Slip of the finger. ThankX for the spell check.

disgusting comments.

i suspect those lowly cleaners/laborers bust their asses more than any of us ever would. Ironically, they're paid but a fraction.

just because they push a broom, they're presumed to be unitelligent and slaves to the persuasion of some smooth talking union rep?

the case likely is that yes they're overworked and underpaid. Mr. Issa could have avoided this mess (or is it just an easy out for him) by taking care of his workers in the first place and not giving them a reason to even entertain the thought of turning on him.

eerily similar to a few hockey players that were lost last summer. insult them with low-ball offers or watch as they leave for alot more than they would have gladly accepted to stay.

anyways... workers/unions aside, this just sounds fishy. sounds like he's making excuses.

Bashar Issa is a FRAUD - I HAVE SAID IT SINCE DAY ONE AND YOU ALL KNOW IT!

This is valuable time wasted. Unions or not, IT IS AN EXCUSE FOR HIM TO BACK OUT - COME ON PEOPLE, he knew what he was getting himself into. DO YOU REALLY THINK HE IS JUST DISCOVERING ALL THIS NOW? ITS A FLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIP - CAN YOU SAY FLIP - I will help you, FLIIIIIIP - FLLLLLLIIIIPPPP - and he used all the "positive" naive sabres fans to do it.

WATCH HOW FAST THIS BUILDING GOES ON THE MARKET AFTER IT IS STABILIZED!

We were better off before, at least there were people in it.

Bashar doesn't even know the first thing about abestos removal. And almost everyone in Buffalo bought into his crap. He is a child for gods sake.

He also received some free publicity at our expense.

Get it through your heads - If you want Buffalo to rise then become proactive and do it yourself. THERE IS NO MAGIC BULLET! Being positive just doesn't cut it.

It's gonna be real funny when Bashar comes back into town for his routine beering and {edit, filth) and someone punches him right in the face.

workers/unions aside, this just sounds fishy. sounds like he's making excuses

james is right, it does sound fishy. If Bashar is still trying to line up tenants for it, then why is he going public suddenly here with doubts about the tower project? And as xosder and others pointed out, he knows he can select any contractor he wants to build the tower, union or non-union, so that doesn't have to be impacted by anything to do with the Statler. He could even bid out the tower's janitorial work if that's such a big concern. What's been revealed so far doesn't add up.

Atwater - that is because it is a FLLLIIIIPPPPPP -

BASHAR IS A FRAUD FLIPPER - he received a lot of negative press in Manchester for being a sheister as well.

Brokeepsblockingme - if you stay optimistic - Bashar will finish the Statler and the City tower and Buffalo will rise again......you just have to hope and stay positive, simple as that

John - you kinda remind me of myself - with the caps and all - you have true anger for Buffalo - and that is a good thing - embrace it - I do!

"The union has no right to come in and force $50/hr broom sweepers on any company."

Of course they have that right. It's called labor law, kid.

OK, good! Now ya'll can see that Bashar Issa SHOULD NOT have anything to do with purchasing the Central Terminal. Hurrah! I just wish the Central Terminal board would take a look at this. This all makes sense. I knew that there was something fishy about Issa, here the crap hits the fan.

Thanks to those that did the research on this guy.

To say that unions are the cause of America's demise is to employ a Rush Limbaughism type of logic, simple solutions to very complex problems, that's one thing that eating away at our country. It is also SO amazingly elitist to suggest that since someone is "unschooled" that they deserve less than an educated person. Insane. I await my customary & unceremonious single star.

11111inBlo - "some jackass union guy"? I guess you know who the misinformed post is referring to. Further I have actually been to China and bread is not .04. Know what you are ranting about, otherwise don't.

Hey if Bassa Ishaar loves the buffalo so much why does he have a picture up above with him over on the Canada side he shoud be in buffalo when talking about buffalo

Seriously, who gets payed $50 an hour to push a broom? That's $104,000 a year. I don't see any broom pushers living in Amherst among the doctors, lawyers, accountants and other educated professionals.

People seem to have this belief that in Buffalo, blue-collar workers are all overpaid union hacks, while skilled workers and professionals are woefully underpaid. If that's the case, shouldn't Delaware Avenue high rises, Elmwood Village Victorians, and Clarence tract mansions be filled with garbagemen, forklift drivers and third-shift riveters, while engineers, college professors, business owners and bank managers call Cheektowaga doll houses and Riverside bungalows home? I know Buffalo can often seem like Bizarroworld, but is it _that_ odd?

Why do people feel the need to use CAPS in their posts? It doesn't make me think "Whoa, he/she used caps for that word, I better pay more attention to it." lol

Idiots.

MikeJW-That's some remarkable insight you possess. Your stunning addition of "lol" confirms that you dwell in higher realms than most of us, omg, I'm lmao right now.

To anyone thinking that the union workers don't add on that much strain on the cost of doing business:

http://www.workinglife.org/wiki/index.php?page=Union+vs.+Nonunion%3A+Wages+(2004)

This is in 2004. Union construction workers make 52% higher wages than non union. That means all labor costs associated with construction workers increases by 52% with no added degree of value. Plus, non union workers must work hard and efficient in order to keep their jobs, something unheard of for union workers. The list could go on and on but i'll stop there.

And to JohnMarko & crew: you are absolutely right that managers are greedy and want to make as much as possible. But you know what you have to do if you do not like it, start your own business and take a smaller salary (aka Japanese model). The fact of the matter is unions create a non-free market. If this were a free market, Bashar (or any developer) would easily pick the best workers for the best price. Union builders require the use of union workers on multiple levels, and thus kill competition. Unions certainly had their place in America, but unless we can keep migrant workers and all those who can survive on less out of the country, they are dinosaurs to corporate America.

> Your stunning addition of "lol" confirms that you dwell in higher realms than most of us, omg, I'm lmao right now.

Buffalo lolspeak and macro memes?

I CAN HAS UNYUNS?

I CAN HAS TACKESS?

NO. BUFFALO, YOU CAN'T HAVE AN IKEA. NOT YOURS.

BUFFALO IZ ONLEE AWTHENTIK AND REEL PLACE IN COUNTREE. U R NOT.

wojoczyniekschalski, i'm pretty sure thats just a picture he's standing in front of.

I really don’t think its fair to bash Bashar on this situation. Buffalo (and the region as a whole) far too quickly embraces one project, plan, or person with an idea as the sole savior to restore Buffalo back to the good old days. By doing so, we are only setting ourselves up for a major blow if something doesn’t happen just as we imagined it. The best we can do is support Bashar’s ideas but not place such heavy expectations on him – and not pull the welcome mat out from his feet before he has decided to pull a project or leave town all together. On the other hand, it is always good to be positive. Some of these posts are down right negative. If someone from out of town were reading these comments, reading that nothing good ever happens here so get over it, etc, why then should they think highly of Buffalo? We should only blame ourselves for things not turning around here – not the unions or the weather. If you don’t like Buffalo – work to change it. We can’t all come to town with millions of dollars to build steel and glass monuments but we can start by changing our attitude. A region with an overall positive attitude towards itself is attractive. Attractiveness brings intrigue, visitors, jobs, vitality, …and perhaps more people like Bashar Issa who have vision and the money to make something happen.

"wojoczyniekschalski"

How do you even SAY that?!

I agree with leadi's suggestion for a follow up with more facts, and it'd also be good if that included elaboration about why issues between Bashar and his workers doing Statler remodeling should impact the proposed City Tower. The article was very vague about that too, and several have expressed scepticism about that being the real reason for backing away. Presumably he'd hire a contractor (union or non-union, whatever he wants) to build City Tower rather than trying to do any of that construction using his own direct employees.

Also would be interesting to hear whether or not he regrets doing Statler work using direct employees instead of hiring a firm. Paladino's smaller waterfront condo tower seems progressing nicely by non-union Concept Construction. Have to wonder if just hiring a firm would've been able to put the Statler much further along by now and with professional management might've avoided worker relation problems. Might have saved him money in the long run. Last year a couple threads on here included insider complaints about how that work was being managed.

BRO - can you please write another story and include facts from both sides?

Dan. If you look closely, there is a stanley cup on the 20th floor of the tower...and I think Jim Kelly is holding it and wearing 4 superbowl rings...There is a man at the base of the invisible tower. He is carrying a chainsaw. I think it might be Gaustad

Gaustad...Do you know who Issa's favorite dolphin is?

Its not Ray Finkle...

IT'S F@$*IN FLIPPER!

Is it true that the Bashar "hooked up" with Sarah, the owner of the Washington Market?

Why doesn't he pony up the 275k for that place? Sell the motor boat, he won't be needing it anymore.....especially now that he is no longer allowed downtown.

Chiknlil, "The average Delphi employee in Lockport made 80K last year before overtime " that's better than $40 per hour it is widely reported that thay made $27 per hour last year which was cut last October. You also claim that they were on strike last year, Funny I don't remember a strike at Delphi Lockport, or any other Delphi plant, for that matter, but you say the Buffalo news confirms this are your facts wrong or my math or the Buffalo news??????

100,000 plus severance packages for laid off union workers at American Axle. Enough Said!

There are people at HSBC and other banks that are exploited for years on end that get laid off with 2 weeks vacation.

Regardless, this blog is not discussion about Unions, it is a discussion about Issa and the fact that he credit and his credibilty have dried up.

$100,000 plus severance packages for laid off union workers at American Axle. Enough Said!

There are people at HSBC and other banks that are exploited for years on end that get laid off with 2 weeks vacation.

Regardless, this blog is not discussion about Unions, it is a discussion about Issa and the fact that he credit and his credibilty have dried up.

Unionized Brothel

A dedicated union worker was attending a convention in Las Vegas and, as you would expect, decided to check out the local brothels. When he got to the first one, he asked the Madame, "Is this a union house?"

"No," she replied, "I'm sorry it isn't."

"Well, if I pay you $100, what cut do the girls get?"

"The house gets $80, and the girls get $20." Mightily offended at such unfair dealings, the man stomped off in search of a more equitable, hopefully unionized shop.

His search continued until finally he reached a brothel where the Madame responded, "Why yes sir, this is a union house."

The man asked, "And if I pay you $100, what cut do the girls get?" The Madame replied' " the girls get $80, and the house gets $20."

"That's more like it!" the union man said. He looked around the room and pointed to a stunning attractive blonde. "I'd like her for the night."

"I'm sure you would sir," said the Madame, then, gesturing to an obese seventy-five year old woman in the corner, with boobs at her knees, "but Ethel here has seniority."

This shouldn't be a shock in the midst of the credit crisis in the current real estate market right now. Who would give this guy hundreds of millions of dollars to build a place? He needs to fund this project with a consortium of buyers for the City Tower to get built. While I'm not a fan of unions, it is apparent that unions have not stopped buildings and growth in many cities in the U.S. Lets not take the easy way out and blame unions for the short sightedness of Bashar and difficult financial conditions now.

DixieChick - As someone who worked in Bethlehem I can only say you and your friends are full of crap. You heard from someone who knew someone who knew someone. Name Names if you can. You spew these damn lies out of thin air you moron. It was no picnic working in Bethlehem steel. And lets cut the crap about blaming unions for everything. Were unioin reponsible for the Collapse of Enron, the largets corporation in America, or CountryWide? Both headquartered in the great state of TEXAS, A right to work state.

Ohh !! one story about one forklift operator who single handedly brought down American industry. I'm not impressed. These guys are paid piece work. How much they earn depends on how much they accomplish. Unlike so many office types who fiddle faddle at the water cooler, take long lunches, and spend half their working day Blogging on the internet instead of doing their job.

QE - If you interview Bashar again, rydog71's comment would be good to get his reaction to - both about remaining work on Statler and for City Tower unless that's officially dead.

Did Bashar hire his own laborers or did he bring in a contractor? He could save money by having open bidding on the project. He is not required to hire a union shop and if he did hire a non-union shop they are use to dealing with the local laborers. Even at prevailing wage it could come in less expensive and the work flow might even be better.

That's similar to what I was suggesting about 20 comments up.

Instead of the unions vs. CEOs debate, I read the article again and noticed this wording:

He's going to finish the Statler Hotel (at a price that would likely cost what he anticipated), and when asked about the Buffalo City Tower? Well, he doesn't think that he can pull it off if his workers are unionized

What workers is he claiming are the issue there? Is that saying his Statler workers now unionizing is really the reason he'd walk away from doing the City Tower even though the Statler will still cost "what he anticipated" as you wrote? Doesn't add up.

http://www.unionfreeamerica.com/

Union / Non-union, citizen or illegal immigrants, who really cares at this point, just finish the damn thing already!

When I was in the Dominican Republic labors and collage educated they make about $2 for a good 16 hour day. The prosperity was amazing. “Rite”. If you scored a job at one of those swanky resorts owned buy an American corporation you made $20 for a 6 day work week. Working 16 hours day and free housing next to the hotel power station belching diesel smoke in your un air conditioned room Gas was $4 a gallon at the time I was there. Moral of the story, no matter how crappy you can get away paying people. It will not improve your life. 98% of the people on this bitch session couldn’t afford to live in the Statler anyways. So Quite whining about what other people make and get a new job. You could get out of town pay $350,000 for a 2 bedroom ranch and make and extra $10,000 a year. Queenseyes, I’m surprised that you get sucked into this 30-40 dollar a hour janitor propaganda. That’s ole buffalo news nonsense.

Look at Fed- Ex they look like they are going to get fined over a Billion $ to avoid a union so they can screw there employees. FedEx Ground’s independent contractor model is being probed by state tax authorities in addition to the IRS. FedEx managers would not go into any detail about the number of states looking into FedEx Ground’s business operations nor the potential sum of any state back tax liabilities.

The IRS in December challenged the classification of FedEx Ground workers, and slammed the company with a $319 million fine and penalties. Financial analysts quoted in multiple news articles have said that since the fine only covers 2002, FedEx could face additional penalties totaling over a billion dollars after the IRS completes its investigation.

Another blame the unions comment! Is the point that workers should not unionize, get paid low salaries and receive minimal or no benefits so the corporation can squeeze out even more profits?!? When are the corporations going to do something for Buffalo besides blackmail local, county and state governments for more tax relief? Do unions ever receive special tax benefits for their members? How many special deals and tax packages did Citicorp receive before they blew $16 billion?!

Being biased or one-sided isn't always bad, but only if it's done in an upfront way and making a case using real verifiable facts and giving reasonable interpretations to connect the dots. This article didn't do that. It ranted vague claims from Bashar then fanned flames of the unionization issue with superficial arguments every step of the way.

There's pros and cons on both sides of unionizing, for all the heated debate it might be very little or even nothing to do with City Tower's apparent demise - even though the article boldly claims that's the only reason for this "Bad News For Buffalo".

Even though unions are very powerful in Buffalo it's obviously possible for non-union contractors to succeed such as with the waterfront condo tower now being built. The article's last paragraph says "BSC Group is employing many laborers who have not had steady jobs in construction before." For Statler renovations maybe that might work (or maybe not as it turned out - a lot depends on quality of management). But setting Statler aside, does it sound believable to think that was ever the plan for building City Tower? A construction force largely comprising laborers "who have not had steady jobs in construction before"? Does that sound believable for a project like City Tower?

Finally, the last word. Read my earlier post please to understand where I'm coming from. Newell, this post is not responsible literature, it resembles something from The Buffalo News. More specifically Mary Kunz Goldman. Sorry, it's true. You write too much, and are getting sloppy. You have an archaic perception of unions. Competition has forced your "grandfathers" union to evolve and compete in the open market. Bashar will just build call centers in India or Pakistan(you know,where they use women and children to do their dirty work, like cutting up that piece of shit floating rust ball that sat on our waterfront for 12 years) Triangle Shirt Factory Fire? Never heard of it? 40 hour work week? Weekends off? Health care ? Yeah..Thank you unions

1. Statler never got cited any OSHA violations. 2. Issa has applied for Tax Credits (20% of total project). 3. First 150 historic hotel rooms will open June/July along with Jazz Club (designers already purchased furniture through their Chinese Procurement Co. 4. Issa has invested his own money into this project, it will take a but longer due to the fact that it is an occupied builiding with leases. 5. All of you please get the facts straight before you open your mouths.

Thanks, Investor

Investor - what supportind evidence do you have?

1.) Statler has not completed asbestos remova because contractors suckl 2.) Issa has applied for tax credits - let me know when he is approved? 3.) First 150 hotel rooms will NOT be open within the next 12 months or ever because they have not been started yet - I saw with my own eyes 4.) Where is the furniture being stored that was purchased - have you seen purchase receipts? 5.) Perhaps you should get your facts straight - he is not doing shit!

1. Floors 9,10,11 are original hotel floors still existing....rooms have been combined and prep work has begun. 2. Issa has a 100,000 Sq/ft warehouse in Beijing. 3. Young and Wright Architects have been working with the group on the hotel, lobby, jazz club, restaurant space. 4. Paul LaMorticella, PLM Design, is designing the Jazz Club (if not familiar with his work check out the Chop House, Laughlin's, Oliver's, Siena, Duo) 5. You have not seen anything with your own eyes, you have no idea what you are talking about.

i enjoy bro but this article is crap.....if there was any need for the tower it would have been built....i think bro is getting used as a big tool in this one and the union is the scapegoat...it will be a miracle if the statler gets finished. this guy has his bags packed and is jumping in his fancy new boat as we speak

What a jerk! this guy gives speeches like he is ralph waldo emerson and then nothing? I'm going to take a dump on his light up marble and i invite all to join in the festivity. Sorry

but hey at least i saved my rant about the American workforce. what does canada do?