World Trade Center's final beam removed
NEW YORK - The last steel beam left standing at the World Trade Center site was cut down May 28 in the first of a series of ceremonies marking the end of the cleanup.

For months the 30-foot-tall vertical column was covered by a portion of the 1.8-million-ton mountain of debris. As the pile shrank the column stood where it was erected in the south tower 30 years ago.

Over the last few months, the beam was used as a mast for a U.S. flag. It was also covered with spray-painted messages and photos of victims.

"It means a lot to people - it's like a flag, it represents our country and an idea. The idea of the beam is our strength, our resilience," said Richard Streeter, an operator at the site since Sept. 12.

Hundreds of construction workers watched as the column was severed with a torch, draped with a flag and a wreath and placed onto a flatbed truck. The iron section will go into storage and may be used in a memorial.

"The construction workers who have dedicated themselves to this effort are on the verge of completing an enormous job, and in many ways this is their night to reflect and remember," said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg .

For months the site was one of the most dangerous construction sites in the U.S. - but only 35 of the 1,500 workers at the site were seriously injured, and none of the injuries were life threatening.

Roofers lead protest at Pulte Homes 
The Roofers led a contingent of building trades demonstrators on May 15, protesting Pulte Homes' hiring of a contractor that has a lousy record in treating its workforce.

About 25 union demonstrators hand-billed Pulte Homes' annual meeting in Troy, letting shareholders walking into the conference know what's going on in the trenches where Pulte's homes are being constructed.

The AFL-CIO, which had a hand in organizing the demonstration, is accusing one of Pulte's Arizona subcontractors, Metric Roofing, of paying workers poor wages and benefits, cheating workers out of wages, denying them drinking water, and routinely firing those workers who speak up to complain.

"Housing developers like Pulte Homes Corp. are ultimately accountable for the practices of the roofing contractors that they hire to help build their houses," a statement from the AFL-CIO said. "The abuse of workers by roofing contractors is a direct reflection on Pulte and Pulte cannot turn a blind eye to these contractors' bad practices."

The Roofers say Pulte leaders have made no move to improve the situation for workers.
Among the demonstrators were Roofers International Union Executive V.P. John Martini and First V.P. Alex Bodnariuk.