Berkley constructs some support for local union workers
Never let it be said politically savvy Rep. Shelley Berkley is shy about coming to the aid of her union friends.
This time last week, Berkley (D-AFL-CIO) read a column item on the dilemma local trade unions are having in winning work on a $150 million in federal construction contracts for the new FAA tower at McCarran International Airport and an Army Reserve Training Center.
Representatives of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 525, Teamsters Local 631, Ironworkers Local 433 and Roofers Local 162 are protesting wage and benefit issues with the Department of Labor and are asking Nevada's congressional delegation for help. Plumbers union official Greg Esposito says the wage structure is 50 percent below the union standard. Worse yet, health benefits are excluded.
"The unions are 100 percent right on this issue," Berkley says. "I have worked like a dog to get these projects to Southern Nevada. They're desperately needed projects and will be great in the end, and I love them. But the idea behind the projects is so that Nevada's labor work force would be the ones that got the jobs."
Berkley, Rep. Dina Titus, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid continue their efforts to "encourage" the Labor Department to review their files to allow higher wages and benefits.
"Everyone agrees with us, but no one seems to be able to get this accomplished. They are right. This is shameful."
A good percentage of those jobs are going to out-of-state workers.
"I have great sympathy for them," Berkley says. "They've got families to feed, but I have to worry about my guys first."
GILBERT GUILTY: Former College of Southern Nevada Vice President William "Bob" Gilbert was convicted of 11 felony theft counts this week. Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto enthused, "Corruption by a state official is always egregious and must be investigated and prosecuted. The jury verdict shows that stealing from the state will not be tolerated by anyone, no matter what their position."
Added Chief Deputy Attorney General Conrad Hafen, "The investigators in our office did an outstanding job of reviewing the allegations made against Mr. Gilbert and enabled my office to put together a strong case that showed the ex-CSN Construction Chief had stolen college materials and college equipment for several years."
Sentencing is set for Jan. 3. Gilbert now may wish he'd accepted a pretrial plea agreement, one reportedly calling for no jail time.
DANCING ODDS: After all these years, Wynn Las Vegas Director of Race & Sports Book Operations John Avello hasn't lost his sense of humor. This week he placed a hypothetical betting line on the upcoming season of "Dancing with the Stars." (For entertainment purposes only.)
While former NBA player Rick Fox and Cheryl Burke are favored 4-to-1, Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas are the long shots at 35-to-1. For the complete rundown, check my blog at lvrj.com/blogs/smith.
ON THE BOULEVARD: A toast to the late Review-Journal columnist Ned Day, who died Sept. 3, 1987, while vacationing in Hawaii. The dedicated souls at the Marine Corps League Leatherneck Club are playing taps for founding member Gordon "Rufus" Wade. The Boulevard salutes the life of longtime Metro cop Jackie Marsh. The death of Erik Qualle to an inoperable brain tumor is doubly sad because it silenced a gifted and prolific writer. What an eight-year fight he made.
BOULEVARD II: There's still time to register for the 20th annual Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation Race For Our Kids with Chet Buchanan 5K and 1-mile run Sept. 11 at Mountain's Edge Exploration Park. Sign up online at candlelightersnv.org. ... Also, the Smokin' in Mesquite BBQ Championship this weekend at the CasaBlanca will fill the air with intoxicating scents. Sounds like a delicious Labor Day weekend diversion.
Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295. He also blogs at lvrj.com/blogs/smith.
