My argument is this: If the state set a law for accountability, whether it be workmans comp, safety violations and so forth, they set the minimum they will accept. What these contractors, sub-contractors and possibly even unions are doing is falling below those standards. They are set as a minimum. If all involved would put the safety of the workers ahead of the dollar and raise those standards above the minimum(instead of just staying within the law)than safety would become a practice. The problem is that one party gets greedy and fall back on that minimum. Las Vegas was built on money and attracts greed. As a family member of a worker killed doing what he was instructed to do by his superiors, I have a clear view of the price paid by these practices. I say the OSHA fines should be so outrageous the companies wouldn't dare take a short cut because of the cost. Hit them in the pocket and deter bad habits. I cannot believe how many side with the contractors and blame the union. There is no one person at fault here. And remember, these men have to fight to keep their jobs most of the time. It's tough for the workers. They are caught in the middle of the struggle. The Union representatives are there to fight for their workers. If they are not being effective than get rid of them. Start new and elect a representative with a strong back who is willing to go the distance. There is no room in negotiations for spinelessness. Leave the weak backs at home.

Go for it Monique and George. bottom line is these men NEED to come home every night, safely. Whatever it takes to ensure more families do not suffer as we have.

WOW.....now that everyone is involved maybe there will be hope for safer work environments down there. I pray no other families will have to suffer from here on out. Maybe now all parties involved will at least pretend they care about the worker.

The fact is that there are hundreds of employees out there AND YES some will make mistakes but it shouldn't cost them their lives. Everyone is rushing so much they are bound to make mistakes. It's rush, rush, rush and no time to thoroughly think things through. OR you have a scenario where the men in charge are directing workers to do certain things which they know could have the possibility for injury but insist on doing it that was regardless. Many of these men are losing thier lives doing tasks they are directed to do. In some cases the Foreman AND superintendents are WATCHING while it is performed. So, what do these men supposed to do...walk off the job because they are told to rush, rush or walk off because they are told to do something that may or may not be unsafe. They have families to care for too. So they stay so they can have the ability to care for their families only to have something go horribly wrong. Do those in charge discourage this environment. NO THEY DO NOT. It is much cheaper for the companies to pay these measly fines levied by OSHA(which the majority of the time they end up not paying anyhow) than to fall behind and take hits on their bonuses. The mentality of the game has to change. The unions need to come together and take back the power. What is happening today is a good thing. It should have happened a long time ago. Many of us are suffering because someone didn't take a stand when the first unnecessary death occurred. Amen to these men for taking a stand and setting examples and city center and cosmospolitan. Our family members should be coming home safe at night, regardless. These casinos are not as important as our family members. They will get built AND make money no matter how long it takes to get them up.

I'm sorry Cliffee but $18k in fines for the loss of my loved one is not nearly enough of a fine. his life was worth much more than that to me. Had he been at fault than maybe the take would be different. But when you have one death after another and clearly defined neglect by the contractors and in our case the union officials themselves, than yes, tougher fines would be the order of the day. Make them pay. If you have mom-n-pop out there that cannot afford these fines than they should probably be extra careful. These huge companies are paying the fines rather than taking a greater interest in safety. It's much easier to pay that measley fine(which will more than likely be forgiven later) than suffer penalties by getting behind schedule.