Four workers die in the war to survive - one more in critical condition | Page 2

Sun, 2009-12-27 17:31

Tommy_Paine

I think the refugee claim might stem back to their country of origin, and have nothing to do with Israel.

However, coincidences are starting to mount.

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The grief-stricken woman managed to break the news on Christmas Day to her eldest daughter, Inna, 14. But she didn't have the heart to tell her youngest child, Daniela, 7, that her father, Vladimir Korostin, was never coming home because she didn't want to spoil the holiday season for her forever.

"I have no idea how to do it or what I'm going to say, so I haven't told her yet," Cherniakova, 36, told the Sun yesterday, dabbing tears from her eyes with a tissue as her friend Olga Kosogor, 26, translated her Russian into English.

"She still thinks he's alive, that he was just hurt, and she's waiting for him to come home from the hospital,"

If that doesn't rip your heart out.

Sun, 2009-12-27 17:33

#53

RevolutionPlease RevolutionPlease's picture

Found the company name:

Quote:
Chernikova and Afanasenko said their husbands worked for a company called Metron Construction. But they were hired as contractors, meaning they were responsible for their own insurance and benefits.

The women said they have not been contacted by the company since the accident.

Representatives from Metron Construction could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Chernikova and Afanasenko said they hope ministry of labour investigators probing the accident will take a closer look at the company's safety practices and eventually get them the answers they so desperately need.

"We don't want any other families to have to go through this pain that we are now living with," Afanasenko said.

http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2009/12/27/12276031-sun.html

Sun, 2009-12-27 17:35

#54

RevolutionPlease RevolutionPlease's picture

Tommy_Paine wrote:

If that doesn't rip your heart out.

Lost to the almighty $

Sun, 2009-12-27 18:21

#55

Tommy_Paine

Chernikova and Afanasenko said their husbands worked for a company called Metron Construction. But they were hired as contractors, meaning they were responsible for their own insurance and benefits.

I wonder how that effects legal responsibilities for health and safety? I don't think it does going by what I've seen at work, however, the laws for construction and for manufacturing aren't always the same.

Sun, 2009-12-27 18:21

#56

Tommy_Paine

Chernikova and Afanasenko said their husbands worked for a company
called Metron Construction. But they were hired as contractors, meaning
they were responsible for their own insurance and benefits.

I wonder how that effects legal responsibilities for health and safety? I don't think it does going by what I've seen at work, however, the laws for construction and for manufacturing aren't always the same.

Sun, 2009-12-27 19:12

#57

Bacchus

If you are called a 'contractor' but you only work for one company and never do any work for any other then as far as the gov't is concerned (at least for revenue canada) you are their employee and not independant.

Sun, 2009-12-27 19:12

#58

Unionist

Tommy_Paine wrote:

I wonder how that effects legal responsibilities for health and safety? I don't think it does going by what I've seen at work, however, the laws for construction and for manufacturing aren't always the same.

If they were under the "control and direction" of Metron Construction, then Metron would be legally viewed as their employer - irrespective of whether they call themselves "contractors". At least, that's the law as I know it. Otherwise, every employer could declare their (non-unionized) employees as, oh say "associates" or something, in order to escape responsibility for WCB and OSH etc.

My question is this: Who (if anyone) paid WCB premiums for these workers?

Have I mentioned recently that we live in a disgusting shitty human-eating society?

ETA: I can't remember what you call WCB in Ontario - we call it CSST here - something like WSIB??

Sun, 2009-12-27 21:04

#59

Frustrated Mess Frustrated Mess's picture

Tommy_Paine wrote:

I wonder how that effects legal responsibilities for health and safety?

Contractors, that is the contractor that was hired to complete the project, would be responsible for site safety and for complaince by all subcontractors individual or otherwise. ETA: To the best of my knowledge.

Mon, 2009-12-28 05:47

#60

1weasel

Cogir Management, out of Quebec, appears to be running the site under contract from the numbered company.

2737 Kipling
2737 Kipling Ave, Etobicoke, Ontario, M9V 4C3
Phone : 416-746-3555
Fax : 416-746-3563
Contact : Erik/Mayde
[email protected]

Cogir's services are listed here: http://www.cogir.net/services.asp and they include "Supervision of repairs and alterations".

Mon, 2009-12-28 19:13

#61

Le T

Quote:
Contractors, that is the contractor that was hired to complete the project, would be responsible for site safety and for complaince by all subcontractors individual or otherwise. ETA: To the best of my knowledge.

That's been the case at every site that I've worked on. I'm not sure how far this responsibility reaches when tested in a case like this. Usually the contractor just puts up WSIB signs, permits, etc. all the stuff an inspector would be looking for if s/he showed up on site. I've worked for very few contractors in Toronto who seemed to have any real interest in workplace safety.

Mon, 2009-12-28 20:29

#62

Tommy_Paine

Getting back to Mr. Roth, after looking at examples of his work that are available to look at, it seems his crisis strategy is to limit information from his clients to the press, and basicaly starve the story. The Sunrise explosion is perhaps a good example. For all that happened, the media coverage was certainly muted, particularly in the aftermath regarding ministry charges.

I guess this contrasts with the Navagator approach, where they were much more active in attacking their clients percieved opponent in the Bryant case. Brave thing, disparaging the reputation of someone who can't fight back due to deadness.

For those waiting to find out who 2058876 is, and whether they have some connection to the workers before they came to Canada, don't hold your breath. Mr. Roth boasts of Editorial connections to the media, and I suspect such a story would be stillborn, if indeed there is one there.

Mon, 2009-12-28 21:09

#63

Frustrated Mess Frustrated Mess's picture

Le T wrote:

Quote:
Contractors, that is the contractor that was hired to complete the project, would be responsible for site safety and for complaince by all subcontractors individual or otherwise. ETA: To the best of my knowledge.

That's been the case at every site that I've worked on. I'm not sure how far this responsibility reaches when tested in a case like this. Usually the contractor just puts up WSIB signs, permits, etc. all the stuff an inspector would be looking for if s/he showed up on site. I've worked for very few contractors in Toronto who seemed to have any real interest in workplace safety.

From my limited experience, the province takes construction safety fairly seriously with some very large fines for accidents. The contractor I worked for was very serious about safety. I'd never worked for an employer so safety conscious.

Mon, 2009-12-28 22:21

#64

Le T

Quote:
From my limited experience, the province takes construction safety fairly seriously with some very large fines for accidents. The contractor I worked for was very serious about safety. I'd never worked for an employer so safety conscious.

Yup fines are still the motivator in my experience. I have found that this leads to safe-looking sites more than safe sites in a lot of cases (e.g. wearing a harness at height but not being made to tie-off). That way from the street things look fine.

ETA: and yes some employers are very good about safety, I have also worked for one and it was a relief to not be made feel a fool for wanting to take meassures to come home at the end of the day.

Mon, 2009-12-28 22:25

#65

Le T

Quote:
I guess this contrasts with the Navagator approach, where they were much more active in attacking their clients percieved opponent in the Bryant case. Brave thing, disparaging the reputation of someone who can't fight back due to deadness.

Even in our anti-worker society I think they would have a tuff time trying to "Bryant" the victims in this case. It would disgust most people who work for a living.

Mon, 2009-12-28 22:33

#66

NorthReport

Unionized work sites are usually safer to work at than non-unionized sites, because unions try to educate their members about safety issues, so there is usually greater awareness. And also because of worker solidarity, there is less intimidation by union contractors.

Mon, 2009-12-28 22:47

#67

Tommy_Paine

Even in our anti-worker society I think they would have a tuff time trying to "Bryant" the victims in this case. It would disgust most people who work for a living.

Oh, I'm not so sure. I spent some time reading different articles on this tragedy today, and over at the Sun, which is a lot like a newspaper, much of the commentary was devoted to how immigrants are stealing our jobs.

Are you suggesting that there are Public Relations companies that wouldn't go with that angle on some kind of moral or ethical grounds? Or a newspaper, or a facsimilie there of who ignores a PR company who works for rental companies, condo developers-- you know, the people who's adds go from cover to cover in most papers?

What Navagator and their media catamites did to Shepard would properly gag a maggot, and I'm sure that's just the tip of the shitberg.

Mon, 2009-12-28 22:48

#68

Le T

Quote:
Unionized work sites are usually safer to work at than non-unionized sites, because unions try to educate their members about safety issues, so there is usually greater awareness. And also because of worker solidarity, there is less intimidation by union contractors.

Unless you have trade papers, in this city most contruction/maintenence workers are not in a union. (this is my totally un-scientific assesment). For instance, a lot of window cleaners, who work on the same type of scafold in this story, do not work in a union.

Mon, 2009-12-28 22:50

#69

NorthReport

T_P I agree.

Mon, 2009-12-28 22:54

#70

Le T

Quote:
Are you suggesting that there are Public Relations companies that wouldn't go with that angle on some kind of moral or ethical grounds? Or a newspaper, or a facsimilie there of who ignores a PR company who works for rental companies, condo developers-- you know, the people who's adds go from cover to cover in most papers?

I was going to mention something about "migrant labour" or "illegal [sic] workers". You're right, that will probably be the angle that the souless bastards use. I was speaking more to the full on character assasination and slander that was piled on Shepard by Bryant the Killer. I just couldn't see even the Sun doing that to people who died at work on Christmas Eve. But they have surprised me before.

Mon, 2009-12-28 22:56

#71

Tommy_Paine

When Charles Ng was executed, the only Canadian angle on that story was that Ng was captured in Calgary. A long way from Toronto. But, the Sun managed to use that flimsy pretext to use a picture of one of Ng's victims, semi nude and handcuffed on a bed. A vid cap from a snuff film.

The Toronto Sun is capable of anything.

Mon, 2009-12-28 22:58

#72

Tommy_Paine

an uncustomery double post. Hm. No driving for me tonight.

Wed, 2009-12-30 12:33

#73

Tommy_Paine

Sid Ryan calls for criminal investigation:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/744084--criminal-probe-urged-in-...

Saying the province must act to stop "carnage in the workplace," federation president Sid Ryan said Tuesday the Criminal Code allows for charges to be laid against individuals or corporations if there is evidence of negligence that caused death or harm to workers.

This is the only very small story on this today.

Thu, 2009-12-31 19:52

#74

Tommy_Paine

Bigger story today:

Highrise scaffolding concerns halted work for months
Provincial inspections flagged safety issues prior to workers’ deaths

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/744486--highrise-scaffolding-con...

Thu, 2009-12-31 20:06

#75

remind

We accept refugee claiments from Israel and the Ukraine?

Criminal charges should be laid!

Sat, 2010-01-02 01:40

#76

Le T

There is a public vigil being organized at the site (2757 Kippling Ave) next Thursday.

The info...

January 7, 2010, 7pm – 8:30pm
2757 Kipling Avenue
Buses leave 252 Bloor West at 5:15 sharp.
RSVP by Noon, Jan 6, migrantworkervigil [at] gmail.com

Also, If you're on facebook...

facebook link

Sat, 2010-01-02 18:51

#77

1weasel

I don't know how much of a lead this is but Cogir Management, which runs 2757 Kipling Ave., was mentioned in The Toronto Star (May 1, 2009, p. GT02) in connection with their contracted buildings around 170 Chalkfarm Drive. Those buildings were mentioned as being owned by the Fishman Group, an Israeli private investment company.

Sat, 2010-01-23 10:42

#78

Tommy_Paine

An update on this tragedy:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/754853--family-faces-deportation...

The family came here as refugee claimants from Israel three years ago, saying they didn't want their daughters to be forced to serve in the military; they also felt uncomfortable, as Orthodox Christians in a predominantly Jewish country. They're unable to afford a lawyer for their refugee hearing Feb. 23.

Korostin's ex-wife Irina Cherniakova, 37, says it was horrible to tell her two children they had lost their father, and unimaginable to tell them they might lose their home.

"I'm really worried that the decision might be negative," Cherniakova said. "That if they send us to Israel, nobody will be able to look after the grave."

And:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/754769

The secretariat's 2008 findings mirrored ones from its March 2004 report, which concluded: "The underground economy erodes occupational health and safety, undermines the apprenticeship system and makes a mockery of the principle of a fair, level playing field."

Sat, 2010-01-23 14:50

#79

remind

Thanks tommy,the whole thing is sickening, but yet i suspect most people are just too overwhelmed about everything to care

one wonders when/if people are going to get sick of the exploitive "business practices"?

Sat, 2010-01-23 15:13

#80

yarg

It's a constant race to the bottom.

Four workers die in the war to survive - one more in critical condition

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