Edison Severino, Local 78 Union terrorizing New Yorkers!

[NYSHARK101]

bang bang pow pow  bang bang pow boom boom pow ban bang pow pow boom boom banging the drum go baby.

[Jimmy1tooth]

this is what a union guy does all day and to see what a working man looks like go past a non union job they are easy to find since non union contractors have 60% of the market..unions are a thing of the past the government has more then enough worker rights laws that you dont need to pay $50 a mouth in dues $4 per capital to the local on a 40 hour week that $160 to the union and for what..use the money for drum lessons

[njlucifer]

LOCAL 78 = ORGANIZED EXTORTION!!

[hellskitchn]

I had dinner on a Hell's Kitchen patio restaurant last night and had the great opportunity to meet a gentleman from a different union. We talked at length about the recent crane accidents on the Upper East Side; he is a hoist operator and - as an engineer myself - it was fascinating to learn more about those events. I finally brought up Edison Severino and Local-78. His face changed immediately.

[hellskitchn]

I thought I might have touched a nerve, but it turns out the Local-78 union is well known as a corrupt operation. It was at once both shocking and not surprising at all.

Local-78 manager, Edison Severino, is a criminal. I now know that his crews are filled with illegal immigrants subjected to unsafe asbestos removal. We'll check for identification and papers at the next rally we encounter. You have been warned.

[hellskitchn]

Edison Severino's opportunistic extortion ring of bottom feeders hasn't show up today. I'm guessing that their permit expired at the two week point, given they're too stupid to consider giving the community a break from their terror campaign. Or maybe they all had a horrible, horrible car crash? One can hope.

[hellskitchn]

Worthless union trash still beating on their drums for the 14th day.

[Inch66]

Back to the torturous LOUD drumming again (in addition to the police whistles and chants). Started at 8:30 and is reprised again and again. Like children, they just bang on their drums all day. As I wrote below:

'Organized labor's desperation to appear influential is understandable. However, their arrogant belief that the "right-to-be-heard-at-any-volu­me" trumps ordinary citizens' right to quiet liberty in their own homes is jeopardizing the union's credibility.'

[Inch66]

Second day in a row -- no sign of drums. Apparently the City was over there for an inspection yesterday. Maybe today, too? Let's just hope Local 78 isn't just pretending to be on best behavior & hiding the drums away until the inspectors leave. Hope not -- I have not problem w/ their protest (voices... even police whistles and honking), but constant drumming makes it impossible to live and work in my own home.

[hellskitchn]

These uneducated dipshits actually believe that the building they picket will change plans and hire them. Fools. They really are as ignorant as they appear. The management of 301 W 53 is likely not honorable, but I support their decision not to hire bottom-feeding trash. Suck on that whistle blowing losers.

[Inch66]

I realize you're angry at the noise, but it's not the fault of the poor misguided union members. Nor do they deserve to have their intelligence questioned nor to have you call them names. It's the leaders who should get the blame for the noise. I'm just happy to see they've listened to the community (or police!) & have put away their drums, at least. Voices and whistles I can deal with -- but constant drumming is criminal activity, IMO.

[hellskitchn]

Poor misguided union members? You're overlooking what you already know about these people. Everyone deserves to have their intelligence questioned, and these people are certifiably dumb. Despite acting like children, they are grown men and women. They make their own decisions like anyone else, and they are responsible for their actions. Self-serving trash, every one of them.

[Inch66]

Organized labor's desperation to appear influential is understandable. However, their arrogant belief that the "right-to-be-heard-at-any-volu­me" trumps ordinary citizens' right to quiet liberty in their own homes is jeopardizing organized labor's credibility.

[zapollo70]

UPDATE: These dipshits did not even work in the building they are picketing. They did not get the job - and that's why they're throwing their tantrum. What a load of bullshit. I hope they never work again. The city should be ashamed for allowing this to happen. And Edison Severino should be jailed.

[hellskitchn]

The police tell them to get rid of the drums, they do, then they pick them back up again when the police leave. This is clearly disobedience, yet no one gets arrested. At this point, I hope they have suffered asbestos exposure. They deserve it.

[lgraham9]

It's SATURDAY, 5/3. The drumming and whistling and chanting are MUCH worse today. Why can't they just DIE a horrible DEATH, I wonder?

[zapollo70]

I live in the building across the street (from the building Local 78 is picketing). I talked with the picket line today and asked them why the drums are necessary (or even effective). They said, "We're trying to annoy the building [at 301 W 53]." I asked, "What about the people who live and work here?" They replied, "Oh, I'm sorry you live here, but we have rights." I asked, "Can you see the irony in that?" He didn't understand the word irony and went back to his drum. Dumbass.

[lgraham9]

Constant drumming today -- and the police haven't arrived yet to put a stop to it. I hate this idiotic union.

"We are the UNION... the IDIOTIC union... bang-bang-bang-bang-bang."

Assholes.

[hellskitchn]

They've been told by the police to lose the drums, and they put them down for a while, then disobey once again like retarded children - they've been at it for a week as of today. They are an embarassment for all unions. I'd like to set up with a drum outside the dump they surely live in and beat on drums all day.

[lgraham9]

Well, I think they have been told not to bang on drums anymore. That's fantastic... in fact, it forces them to do more chanting (actual "free speech", rather than noise pollution). I can still hear it, along with the whistles, and it's like MUSIC to my ears. I really do hope these guys can get this shoddy work-site unionized (or whatever their goal is)... maybe by engaging people with words, rather than berating them with noise, they'll have a better chance to do so. Hope so!

[hellskitchn]

Uneducated, barely skilled union members are easily mislead by a corrupt manager like Mr. Severino.

[lgraham9]

Okay. Drumming stopped again for a spell... whistling, too. Maybe for lunch, or maybe (please, God!) the union leadership was able to stop members from beating drums on their own steam? Hope the latter. 'Cause this worker (and former union member, in fact!) has work to do!

[lgraham9]

No such luck! It was just the fact that these mindless yahoos were at lunch. Now it's: "I don't wanna work, just wanna bang on the drum all day" (as a commenter posted below). Again. These (ultimately misguided) people deserve a very special, LOUD place in Hell, if you ask me.

[lgraham9]

DISREGARD PREVIOUS POST -- THEY ARE DRUMMING AGAIN LOUDLY (12pm). Selfish, short-sighted asses!

[lgraham9]

UPDATE: The union seems to have heard our neighbors' pleas about the noise and are refraining from using snare drums (and bucket drums). While police whistles, chanting, and noisemakers are still annoying, they do not overpower the environment awfully, while still allowing the union's members to peaceably assemble. As one who works from home I would prefer silence, but I think this is a very good compromise and I credit Local 78 for listening the surrounding community. Good luck in your cause!

[negrito1967]

This union is simply exercising their first amendment rights to free speech and to peacably assemble, and they are protecting labor practice laws against exploitation of workers rights against unscrupulous contractors.

[hellskitchn]

Negrito1967, I live and work in the neighborhood, and I would not be surprised if the contractors at the picket location are in fact unscrupulous. I've known people in that building and it is a nightmare. I also believe unions are crucial to protecting the rights of and safety of their members. I would not advocate the dismantling of any union. That said, however, everyone in the neighborhood has rights as well...

[lgraham9]

Yes. I understand all of that. And I appreciate it. But perhaps providing a little more education to the neighborhood about what you're fighting against/for, and much less MEANINGLESS noise, which only serves to draw *negative* attention to what you're doing... especially from those of us who live (and work) nearby. Your flyers (when they are even available!) are brief and basic -- tell us what you're fighting for here. Don't just annoy and terrorize the very people you want on your side!

[negrito1967]

If it weren't for unions there wouldn't be any jobs left in America, they would all be outsourced if corporations could have their way.

[hellskitchn]

Is it ok if people stand in front of your home day after day beating on drums? I doubt it. More alarming, however, is that a cursory investigation of this union turns up lawsuits and reports of beatings with clubs, bricks thrown through the windows of houses, vandalizing cars and even dumping asbestos materials on competitor sites. Are these acts of violence also part of their constitutional rights?

[hellskitchn]

This picket appears highly disorganized and exhibits a total disrespect for the community. As the post reports, passersby are not galvanized to the picketer's plight/cause. They are visibly alienated by the noise. This approach is clearly broken and doing more damage than good for the very people claiming unsafe working conditions. I think it is clear that the union leadership has dropped the ball in this case. They could do better -- for their city and their members.

[noelcoward68]

I think somebody heard that song "I don't wanna work, I just wanna bang on de drum all day..."

[lgraham9]

These kinds of sad & noisy picket lines give Labor and unions a bad name!