My last weekend...hopefully

Strange... didn't go to the movies... Wanted to go to a book store but there are none around here... the closest thing is some sort of boutique that looks like it might just have about a hundred books in it..

Mexico Saturday

And me in my mighty fine red shirt.

Structural Steel Shop Inspection in Mexico

Rules for conducting biz in Mexico.
1. Don't
2. Bring every thing you need, don't expect to have any thing provided to you. They will never get it right. Well not the first couple of times and way.
3. Put your watch on the trash, time is like a picture book for the blind down here.
4. make no plans for the next couple of months, or years if you are not lucky.
5. Don't bring your car, the roads can hardly be considered to be roads insofar as 2 inches of asphalt on un compacted earth and animal carcases can be called a paved road..
6.Don't expect to use your phone unless you like to pay a dollar a min for the worlds shittiest service. For best results stretch a string from the Ma Bell operator in San Fransisco and attach two paper cups. (It is of utmost importance that you go to the SF switching center so the government can monitor all traffic.)
7. Remember that there is never a good time when the sun is not trying to kill you with bursts of ultraviolet light wrapped up in infrared light that cuts the dusty bug filled air in Mexico

Five Union Organizers Assaulted

Civil Rights ‘Hate Crime’ Lawsuit Filed Against Non-Union Contractors

Ironworkers Local 433 President Robbie Hunter addresses a “Stop the Violence” rally of over 600 Building Trades and other union members in Downtown Los Angeles. Hunter, along with four other organizers were attacked by non-union contractors while picketing a jobsite.

A civil rights lawsuit was filed on Monday, Mar. 17, against several contractors and multiple unnamed defendants after five union organizers were brutally assaulted last Friday while engaged in a lawful picket at a construction site in downtown Los Angeles. The lawsuit filed against contractors Hirex, Golden Gate Steel and its owner, and the unnamed defendants seeks unspecified damages for violations of California Civil Code section 51, assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

More than 15 workers from the jobsite, some of whom were wielding iron rebar and 2x4's, violently attacked the five organizers. As a result, Robbie Hunter, President of Ironworkers Local 433, was hospitalized after suffering multiple injuries including a fractured cheek bone and busted lip. He was punched in the face, struck in the back of the head with a club, and kicked in the face and leg by the defendants.

"The violent assault against these union organizers is not only reprehensible, it is also a violation of their civil rights," said Ellyn Moscowitz, attorney for the plaintiffs. "These men were attacked because of their position as union organizers; that makes this a hate crime in the state of California. Employers who engage in these crimes can expect that the full weight of the legal system will be brought to bear on them."

In response, over 600 Building Trades and other union members and their allies turned out for a "Stop the Violence" rally at the jobsite where the union organizers were attacked.

"We are here to send a message to all of the non-union contractors in Los Angeles that we will not tolerate violence against union organizers or any other member of the Building Trades who are out here fighting for decent wages for construction workers," said Richard Slawson, Executive-Secretary of the LA/OC Building and Construction Trades Council. "We are prepared to use every legal means at our disposal to protect the rights of workers. These non-union contractors may use these violent tactics from 100 years ago, but we won't stand for it."

In addition to the injuries sustained by Hunter, IBEW organizer Larry Henderson was struck by a 2 x4, fracturing his arm. Ironworkers Local 433 organizer Rene Angeles was hit in the face with a 2x4 and suffered bruises. Kevin Norton and IBEW organizer Tommy Faavae also suffered bruises.

black pig

oink oink

Missing mill cert for this stuff

Here is the offending tag, the iron is marked but I just did not receive a mill cert for it.
There are a couple of pieces of this stuff and it is quite long and I am sure quite expensive.. Nuf Said.
Please excuse the noise, the AC is running and it is rather warm out side. Winter south of the border in the desert is entertaining and dry.

The sticker here is rather nice to the fabricator in that it identifies the appropriate color code for the iron per the old ASTM A6. The new one no longer has the color codes and this is something that the city of Los Angeles has had to address as they require it, I was led to believe that they are going to come out with a bulletin with the color codes on it.

Reschedule again...

Once again due to a slip up in ordering of material my tour down in Mexicali Mexico has been extended to what looks like the early part of next month..

Another Finish Date..

Update for Monday March 17, 2008
Just East of Mexicali Mexico. Got another one coming... This weekend is Easter and is a holiday so the shop is taking Thursday and Friday off in observation of the holiday.

Finish Date

Update for Saturday March 15, 2008
Just East of Mexicali Mexico.

Driving in Mexicali

Going back to Mexico today, (Tuesday, March 11). Always a fun drive.
Should be there until Thursday March 19 when I get to come home again.

Extended stay in Mexico

More Fun on the Mexico Run

I would like to think that I have come ready for work..

Crane over power lines..

Some one call OSHA, Oh never mind... No such beast down here...