Went on a job Friday to dig for a plumber. I am a local general contractor, I use this plumber a lot. When he needs backhoe work or other digging he calls me. It is me, my operator, and two plumbers tearing up a street and a mans front yard to put in an 8″ sewer main to a new auto parts store.
The man who’s yard we are tearing up (actually tearing up his easement) comes out and says ” I thougth the city was going to come up with a different plan for this, thanks for the warning.” The job superintendant seems to snap, curses the man, tells him “you’re an architect, you know we have to do this stuff”
A few hours go by and toward the end of the day the guy comes back out and says, “please remove your supplies from my yard, and keep them on the easement.” I agree to move everything and apoligize. As I am moving stuff the super comes up and starts blasting this guy again.
After a few mins the super jumps the ditch and gets in the guys face and says “hit me” then spits in his face and says “now, hit me” The owner walked away, a few mins later he returns and keeps his distance while taking some pics.
Here is my problem. The super in no way is tied to any local company around here. I have worked indirectly for that architect he spit on. THe plumber has worked for him to. I feel that he has just jeopardized our reputation.
Should I go by and talk to the architect? I have already fired off a letter to the general on the job. I plan on making some calls on monday. I didn’t step in, maybe I should of? This is really bothering me. I need help, I feel like i screwed up by not knocking the snot out of the stupid super on the job.
An inch to short. That’s the story of my life !
bstcrpntr — I hope to grow into this name.
Replies
That suxs....... Document on paper all that has happened, then go see the architect. I would apologize for the events leading to the said assult explaining you are the sub to the gc. If he is taking pics, he may be looking into future litigation. Speaking to him may well clear your rep.
Semper Fi
"Knocking the snot our of someone" is rarely the appropriate solution although I've tried it once or twice with varying degrees of sucess.
Don't beat yourself up too bad. It's tough to know what the right thing to do is in the heat of the moment sometimes. You look back and second guess yourself. Hindsight is always 20/20.
The important thing right now is to do "the next right thing". Sounds to me like talking to the architect is the appropriate thing to do after you've taken some steps to remedy the situation. This way you'll at least have something to tell him other than "I screwed up, you didn't deserve that, boy was that guy an azz"
You can't change the past, but you can be part of the solution or part of the problem.
I am not even a sub to the general. The plumber hired me. I really am no one on this job.An inch to short. That's the story of my life !
bstcrpntr --- I hope to grow into this name.
You're right. that really was a sukky thing to have to witness. I could say that yes indeed you should have interceded. But the truth is I probably would have done the same thing you did... nothing... and I would be feeling the same conflicted emotions you are feeling right now. I think Jarhead gave you good advice. You should talk to the general, the homeowner/archy, and anyone else appropriate just to get your story heard first. I'm sure that if you and the plumber and the homeowner all tell basically the same story, then the "super" (he doesn't sound all that super to me) will no doubt get the pink slip for which he is apparently begging.
Good luck my friend, and don't fret about it, at least you didn't step in and get punched for your trouble. I've seen that happen more than once to the peacemaker.
Go to the architect and apologize for the super's behavior... even though you had nothing to doi with it. Tell him that you thought it was highly uncalled for and unprofessional and that you would be glad to give a statement if the architect decided to pursue the assault legally.
http://www.peteforgovernor.com
(by the way, your moniker should read "An inch TOO short", you're missing the second O.)
Definatley distance yourself from this bozo. Make sure the Archy knows your not tied to him and find him equaly disgusting.
What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. Oscar Wilde./
Bestcarp -
I agree with Jarhead - document your non-involvement and what you saw in writing, and asap. There is no reason for this behavior by the super and you want to protect yourself if and/or when it hits the fan. I would mail it to the architect and the contractor (plumber) that you were working for. Get a "Certificate of Mailing" from the post office. It's not certified mail, just a paper that shows you mailed something to someone, who and when. Good thing is it only costs 65 cents or so. it's probably a dead issue, but you can't be sure.
Don K. (a/k/a Hammerlaw)
I would write up a statement of what you saw, sign it, and give to the architect with an apology that you did not intercede. Explain why you did not (to shocked, are working for the plumber, what ever) get involved then but after thinking about it over the weekend are willing to be a witness.
Believe me violence will get you in a place you don't want to be and it is rarely an answer, you did the right thing of staying out of it if you even thought of that. The most important thing is to talk to the architect and let him know you are in his corner.
What does this situation in my life ask of me?
hadn't thought about doing it in writing. I did find a friend that knows the super's boss. I was told that he is already on his last legs withthis company. I now have phone numbers and addresses needed for what I am going to do in the morning. This will take half a day, but I think it is worth it.An inch too short. That's the story of my life !
bstcrpntr --- I hope to grow into this name.
good luck in the morning.
I'd go talk to the architect, like someone suggested mention you would be willing to give a statement, what ever against the idiot. No sence having you tied to this idiot in the architects mind. Just becareful not to assume to much blame in his eyes.
I second the need to document what you saw in writing. However, I would also speak to the Architect (and apologize) in person. I wouldn't send the documentation to the Architect outright, I would just offer to produce it, if necessary. However, at the very least the GC should get a copy, it covers his butt in case the super tries to get unemployment benefits.
Turns out with a lot of phone calls in one day, people lose their jobs. I was around number 10 to call. The super as also arrested yesterday when he was pink slipped. One for assulting the boss, and 2 for the architect situation. more later
An inch to short. That's the story of my life !
bstcrpntr --- I hope to grow into this name.