Expo Line Will Have A Bridge Over Sepulveda Blvd., Union Labor

By Gene Maddaus Fri., Mar. 18 2011 at 6:20 PM

Expo Phase 2

The second phase of the Expo light-rail line took a big leap forward today, as the Expo Construction Authority awarded a $541 million contract to Skanska/Rados.

The authority also voted to approve a bridge over Sepulveda Boulevard, which could go some way toward mollifying homeowners who fear the line will bring gridlock to surface streets.

Expo Phase 2, budgeted at $1.5 billion, is slated to open sometime in 2015.

The line will run from the end-point of Phase 1, in Culver City, to 4th Street and Colorado Boulevard in Santa Monica.

The original plan was to cross Sepulveda Boulevard at-grade, which opponents argued would cause traffic tie-ups in both directions. A bridge is more expensive, but the cost is offset somewhat because the Expo Authority no longer has to buy up land to widen Sepulveda. The City of L.A. agreed to pay the difference, which worked out to $5.3 million.

The authority also voted unanimously today to approve a project labor agreement for Phase 2, an item of major importance to the building trades unions. Union leaders Maria Elena Durazo and Richard Slawson showed up to support the PLA, along with several dozen union members.

Representatives of Associated Builders and Contractors showed up to oppose the PLA, which requires that small businesses hire one union worker for each non-union worker up to 10 employees, and then to use union labor above that. That provision, they argued, would bar 80% of construction workers from participating on Phase 2 work.

"This is a bankruptcy act for small business," said Victor Mendez, of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.

Slawson, the executive secretary of the L.A./O.C. Building & Construction Trade Council, countered that the PLA would rid the project of "cheating contractors" who don't pay into the state disability fund, and would guarantee that the project employs local workers.

"ABC is a group that is totally anti-union," he said. "They don't want fair playing fields."

The PLA passed unanimously. Bernard Parks, a pro-business councilman who was recently the target of a $1.2 million labor campaign, was absent from the meeting. Councilman Paul Koretz said that Parks would have recused himself from the vote on the PLA, due to a "conflict of interest."

Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, who defeated Parks in 2008 with strong labor backing, was a key supporter of the PLA, which was not in place on Phase 1.

"This is local hiring with teeth," Ridley-Thomas said. "The consensus has evolved that this is a good thing. Ground is being broken."

The Harbor Commission voted Thursday to use project labor agreements on all of its projects. Unions will next turn their focus to King/Drew Medical Center and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which are expected to take up PLAs in the next several weeks.

Tags:

Expo Line, Mark Ridley-Thomas, Project Labor Agreement, Sepulveda

We Recommend

BONQO

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds....

JS310

This is a mostly objective, straightforward post -- a true rarity on Informer, especially when transit is involved. I offer sincere congratulations.

Drivininla45

I am amazed on how people that aren't involved or members of a union can speak so freely against the unions...the difference between working union and non union is so dramatic as far as working conditions and benifits. the safety and protection and the knowledge you have not to mention the training outweighs the non-union worker by far. I underwent 3 yrs of training in my field, and I'm grateful for every hour spent in the classroom so that i could come home to my family safe every nite. And to be clear...there is no comparison or competition to non union vs. union....the quality of work because of the training is the difference for union work.

beizhua

Ladies and gentlemen,=====www.newgoing.com===== =====www.newgoing.com===== brand shoes,handbags,clothes,watches,caps,jeans,perfume,sunglasses,jackets,t-shirt,jersey,belts,purse,wallets,shawn,scarf,bikini,and so on.1)High quality. the tags and style code number are 100% correct.2) Safety. If the goods seized by our customs, we will resend them to you.3) Quick shipment. We have agreement with some International ExpressCorporation, the products will be shipped within 24 hours after we received your payment. And the parcel will reach your side in 4-7working days.4) Lowest price. We can give you the best price based on equal conditions in China.5) We are very serious seller, assure you that we can have very perfect cooperation.

We are willing to build mutual benefits and long term business relationships with all customersif there is any question of our products,pls don’t hesitate to contact me at your free time,we will try our best to help you.

credit first,Best severce,fast delivery,high quality

=====www.newgoing.com===== =====www.newgoing.com==== ,”’╭⌒╮⌒╮.’,”’,,’,.”,,’,”,.╱◥██◣”o’,”’,,’,.”.”,,’,.｜田｜田田│ ”,,’,.’,”’,,’,.”╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬╬

Disparity Observer

I find it very significant that in Phase 1 the community, which is predominately black, asked to have the EXPO line separated from the surface street around its local high school for safety concerns. It was rejected as too expensive. But Phase 2 is in a predominately solid middle class white community and everyone came behind getting it off its street for safety and economic development. The LA City Council even came up with extra money to achieve the grade separation. What a disparity on teatment.

Bob L

Sepulveda is like La Brea, a very major highway.Overland (with an elementary school next to the ROW and with no station to force the trains to stop) and Westwood both have more traffic than Farmdale and will be at-grade.

Lets look at the facts, not racist remarks.

Sal Silvestre

I don't disagree with your general premise. But note that the grade separation was rejected for Overland and Westwood crossings (so soundly rejected early on that it was no longer even seriously sought after at these recent and final stages); grade separation was more plausible for Sepulveda because it is such a major traffic artery (essentially an adjunct to the adjacent 405) that it actually makes sense. It was long thought that it would end up grade separated; the locals' main concern was that the money would come only as part of a quid-pro-quo of accepting a massive retail/apartment development at the corner of Pico/Sepulveda - - - that unseemly trade was avoided, so there's a local victory.

LaGarbageCan

Los Angeles is becoming another New York with unions dominating the economy. On public works jobs, all workers must be paid prevailing wages which are union wages and benefits without union dues. The unions just want to eliminate competition and they have been very successful at the expense of taxpayers who will pay more with limited competition and the employees of contractors who sign the PLA and pay for benefits that their employees will never see. This absorption will help reduce the cost of benefits for the unions. As Spvr. Gloria Molina has pointed out, the unions have become very powerful at influencing public officials. Everyone wants their money and man-power to win the next election. So much for the right to work state. It won't be soon.