Safety concerns at two neighboring projects being constructed by Perini Building Co. prompted construction workers to walk off the job at midnight on June 2. By the next night, they said their concerns were addressed, and they returned to work.

The strike came after a worker at CityCenter was killed May 31. It was the sixth construction death at the site; nine workers have died in the past 16 months at CityCenter and Cosmopolitan combined.

While the accident seems to be related to a mistake the construction worker made—attempting to oil a crane while it was in operation—it was the final straw for workers who say the race to complete the projects was taking priority over safety.

The strike lasted only 16 hours before Perini agreed to the demands of the Southern Nevada Building and Construction Trades Council.

“They were very, very generous,” said Steve Ross, secretary-treasurer of the union. “They were very progressive.”

Perini agreed to allow union and business leaders full access to the sites, and the company will also arrange for worker safety training.

“We’re going to change the atmosphere on this job site for all construction workers,” Ross said.

“This just doesn’t affect Perini or this job site, this has a collective resonance throughout every construction project in this valley.”

Alan Feldman, spokesman for CityCenter owner MGM Mirage, said problems happen when workers don’t follow procedure.

“It seems to us that there are a lot of safety programs, a lot of safety instruction, safety seminars and meetings, safety officers and signage,” Feldman said.

By Casino Connection Staff

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