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> The labor deals negotiated between the unions and construction companies also ensure that workers are well paid. The agreement for Local 147, the union for th

> The labor deals negotiated between the unions and construction companies also ensure that workers are well paid. The agreement for Local 147, the union for the famed “sandhogs” who dig the tunnels, includes a pay rate for most members of $111 per hour in salary and benefits. The pay doubles for overtime or Sunday work, which is common in transit construction. Weekend overtime pays quadruple — more than $400 per hour. The article correctly identifies the number of people are working on a job is about 4x the normal rate when compared to Asia and Europe. However, when you take the hourly pay rate you quickly see it for what it is. This is fraud.

chimeracoder 9y ago
It's even worse than that: > The critics pointed to several unusual provisions in the labor agreements. One part of Local 147’s deal entitles the union to $450,000 for each tunnel-boring machine used. That is to make up for job losses from “technological advancement,” even though equipment has been standard for decades They literally have to pay the union $450,000 for using machines that have been standard around the world for fifty years.
- Robotbeat 9y ago
  ...and people scoff at Elon Musk for saying he can significantly reduce the cost of tunneling in the US...
  - chimeracoder 9y ago
    > ...and people scoff at Elon Musk for saying he can significantly reduce the cost of tunneling in the US... Nobody scoffs at Elon Musk for suggesting he could reduce the cost of tunneling in the US. It's not like it's a mystery why tunneling is so expensive. They scoff at the suggestion that he's somehow unique or exceptional for making that claim.
    - Robotbeat 9y ago
      Then their problem is with the press, not Elon Musk.
- blorsh 9y ago
  The politician pays the union. The union pays the politician. So both are getting paid, out of money taken by force from the population. Neither has an interest in making this stop. About the only hope is that 1-sided political donations will sufficiently tick off a political party at the national level. There is a tiny chance that national law could change because of that.

chimeracoder 9y ago

It's even worse than that: > The critics pointed to several unusual provisions in the labor agreements. One part of Local 147’s deal entitles the union to $450,000 for each tunnel-boring machine used. That is to make up for job losses from “technological advancement,” even though equipment has been standard for decades They literally have to pay the union $450,000 for using machines that have been standard around the world for fifty years.

Robotbeat 9y ago
...and people scoff at Elon Musk for saying he can significantly reduce the cost of tunneling in the US...
- chimeracoder 9y ago
  > ...and people scoff at Elon Musk for saying he can significantly reduce the cost of tunneling in the US... Nobody scoffs at Elon Musk for suggesting he could reduce the cost of tunneling in the US. It's not like it's a mystery why tunneling is so expensive. They scoff at the suggestion that he's somehow unique or exceptional for making that claim.
  - Robotbeat 9y ago
    Then their problem is with the press, not Elon Musk.
blorsh 9y ago
The politician pays the union. The union pays the politician. So both are getting paid, out of money taken by force from the population. Neither has an interest in making this stop. About the only hope is that 1-sided political donations will sufficiently tick off a political party at the national level. There is a tiny chance that national law could change because of that.