Press Release: Shoddy workmanship affects load ins at the Orpheum

Sidewalk story: Shoddy workmanship affects load ins at the Orpheum

By Bob Cobb

The City of Madison replaced a gas line on Johnson St. behind the Orpheum causing a hardship amongst stagehands and pedestrians.

The sidewalk repair job happened shortly after MG&E was contracted by the city for the replacement according to stagehands who were witnessed bringing equipment into the Orpheum during Sunday’s rainstorm. Members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 251 continue to endure their hardship at each show. The sidewalk repair clearly shows whoever poured the demolished patch did not use a bowl float or trowel finish.

“OSHA recognizes that prolonged standing on hard surfaces like concrete can lead to musculoskeletal disorders and other health problems,” Homecore Inspections.com states. “To mitigate these risks, OSHA has established regulations that employers must follow to safeguard workers who spend significant time standing on concrete floors.”

Monday Nov. 11, 2024, 2:27 p.m.—Fear, loathing and a sore lower back accompany the stagehands after each shift trying to haul artist’s equipment into the building. The casters and soles of work boots wear out quickly, which is the most common expressed grievance by each crew. The crew wishes the city would act and hold the contractor accountable who performed the service.

• A consumer complaint was filed by Bob Cobb on Monday citing the concerns of both pedestrians and the IATSE crew.
• The shoddy concrete job caused puddling and excess standing water on the surface.
• Workers and pedestrians pondered how the city could tolerate horrible workmanship, which led to a brainstorm discussion while smoking cigarettes. The discussion entailed going before the mayor during a Common Council meeting to discuss the city’s ineptness with holding the contractor responsible for quality control.

Shoddy concrete finishing and sidewalk replacement workmanship are the core of the problem the stagehands face. Pedestrians complain of having twisted ankles when wearing high heels. The complaint filed expressed future concerns to the mayor’s office hoping an emergency work order will solve the problem.

“Nobody wants to be embroiled in a complex, drawn-out legal battle. Prevent shoddy workmanship from costing you time and money in the future. Make sure the contractor you use has a license and well-reviewed.” Rose Morrison, blogger for Renovated.com explains. “Even then, it would be wise to document every stage of their work, forcing them to go through you to sign off on the next step.”

The contractors identity is unknown. The complaint outlined concerns with future workmanship in hopes the problem will be solved with follow up from the city inspector’s office. The city inspector ultimately signs off on all projects once completed, including the shoddy workmanship behind the Orpheum Theatre in Madison, Wisconsin, which is also an eyesore for all to see.

###BCFILLC