A few months ago I had a meeting with Jeff Bishop of the Port of Coos Bay to discuss how it was the Port helped Oregon Resources obtain permits from the Army Corps of Engineers. Only a month earlier, Dan Smith, COO of ORC had moaned at an SCDC board meeting the Corps was dragging its feet when suddenly, through some intervention by Bishop, the permits were granted. (video below)
Bishop had a rambling but more or less plausible explanation and mentioned during our meeting that he had told a colonel from Army Corps during an annual inspection of the port, it was a shame South African chromite miners were getting jobs that could go to Oregon miners if only the Corps would cooperate. It is ironic, therefore, to discover that ORC, despite all its promises of local jobs, hired a South African engineering firm, Iritron, to do the electrical work at its Bunker Hill processing plant.
http://oregon-resources.com/careers/
JOBS!
Thank you, Bob, for the information. Please keep us advised of any results from the investigation
There is no evidence of South African electricians working on the chromite processing plant. This company may be involved with the engineering but CCC Group, Inc. is performing the construction.
That being said there have been very few local licensed electricians hired for this construction project. They ones that they have hired are from Texas, New Mexico, Arizona many without any electrical licenses at all. I have asked the Building Codes Division of Oregon to start an investigation into the use of these unlicensed individuals and believe that the investigation is ongoing.
Robert Westerman
IBEW 932
Very nice site work M, looks very good.
And thank you Fred for your calm rational post.
May I?
Who the hell do these clowns think they are? That young punk who deliberatly and forcefully insulted every taxpayer of Coos County over the age of thirty apparantly. What dumb-ass arrogance does that representative of ORC show to us when he has his hand out for more damn entititlements? I’d like an apology for starters, if not shut up and sit down and act like one of those grown ups you seem to despise so.
Why won’t Smith, who has NO problem at all begging at SCDC and if the truth be known the Chamber of Commerce who seems to be in the business of representing foreign interests over the US worker. Who knew the Chamber had evolved into such a monster?
Anyway ORC? You think you get what you want from the local corporate shills? Well the people still have a say in your future, so perhaps you could bring your great-selves down to our (cave people as you call us)level and tell us, outside your management team you came here with, how many “new hires” have you had since you broke ground, that you did NOT bring with you, all the while telling those same cave people you suck from you are going to hire them?
Come on boys, man-up and post and tell us why you’re using labor from Africa and not Coos County? Those Africans still work cheaper than local guys? That tlls a lot about your morals, but we already are getting a picture of the lack there-of.
Dear Mr. Smith of ORC and Mr. Smith of West Coast Contractors / West Coast Resources: If fact, please tell us, directly, through our elected representatives or through the local media – written and electronic – which local electrical contractors were asked to submit a bid; which local contractors submitted a bid; which local contracors submitting a bid were considered to be qualified to do the scope of work; what local, state, or federal certifications were local bidders lacking; how did the local bidders bottom line price offers compare; did the high hourly rate that you are obligated to pay local people significantly offset the cheap South African labor costs that will be inclusive of travel, housing, and per diem; what reasons did the local biders give for not being able to meet your schedule requirements. Is ORC the prime contractor for the electrical work or are your contractors West Coast Contractors or West Coast Resources – both Tim Smith companies – the prime contractor who hired the South African electricians? These answers may help local bidders become your future contractors and may help you recive the local support for your efforts that you need.