Even on an otherwise well-run construction project, a single mistake can lead to the most serious consequences. What is occurring at the former Pfizer building on East 42nd Street, where offices are being converted to 1,600 apartments, is far from that. Rather than an otherwise well-run project, it appears to be a cesspool of a project.

Questionable contractors. Analysis from engineering experts that steel reinforcements were not installed or inspected properly. Low paid and poorly trained nonunion labor. Previous violations and injuries to workers that have reportedly not been brought to the attention of authorities. And, on top of it all, a criminal investigation.

The co-developer, MetroLoft, whose response following this near catastrophe indicates it does not see much of a problem, called it a “typical construction mishap” and included among other examples of what it considers to be typical, people falling off buildings. 

On its own, this is bad enough.  What makes it much worse is this project is subsidized by the 467-m program that exempts conversions of offices to apartments from millions of dollars of real estate taxes.  Some have tried to dismiss the role of the program in this incident.  They are wrong.  The lack of accountability in the rush to put anything to use as housing and publicly subsidize it with few if any guardrails demands closer examination. 

What is happening on East 42^nd Street may be the most glaring example of the problem, but there is little reason to think it is alone.  Labor officials warn there may be dozens of less visible but serious and potentially catastrophic circumstances lurking elsewhere.

When unions advocate for higher wages and better working conditions, there is surely a self-serving element to that.  But what comes with projects that use union labor who are paid better wages with rigorous training and safety standards is undeniable. 

A union steamfitter, one of the only union trades on the otherwise nonunion East 42^nd Street project, sounded the alarm upon noticing cracking concrete and slouching steel columns.  One could wonder, if not for his presence on the job, would the site have been evacuated and the imminent danger reported to city officials with appropriate urgency?     

Fatalities on construction projects in New York City are routinely in double digits each year.  In any other industry that would be an unacceptable outrage.  According to data from multiple sources including OSHA, there are often common factors in these deadly accidents.  Overwhelmingly, 81% in one recent year, they are employees of nonunion contractors.  That nobody has died on the East 42^nd Street project is the low bar for relief there.

Construction in this city has long been dangerous.  It has also long been a tale of two industries.  One that tries its best and succeeds in not only creating good careers but also working more safely for itself and the public.  It is not perfect, but it is certainly better. 

The other, evidenced by the debacle on East 42^nd Street, tries its best to do the worst and hopefully get away with it.  There is an obligation to make sure continuing to get away with it is no longer an option.  Having a skyscraper on the brink of partial collapse this month is a call to action.  Public officials need to heed that call.