Labor Day – With Appreciation

L A B O R  D A Y- With Appreciation

I grew up knowing that electrical work was dangerous. One memory stands out vividly, I was about five maybe six years old… young, I remember some kids were horsing around down the street when one of them opened a transformer box and touched something he shouldn’t have.  The outcome was as swift as it was terrifying: the lights flickered, followed by an ominous boom. I remember my dad running towards the noise and as the lore is told – my dad, electrician-hero, grounded this teenager, pushing air into his lungs and saving his life – though the young man was left with severe burns and a watch permanently branded into his wrist, he lived to tell the tale.

Stay with me… there’s a point in sharing this story.

Recently, the Francis Scott Key Bridge fell. Wildly unthinkable, the bridge – used by more than 12 million motorists in 2023 – is a vital link from one of our nations most utilized ports to the Baltimore Beltway and beyond. Completed in 1977 and an iconic part of the Baltimore skyscape; this humongous 4-lane, steel structure behemoth was struck and sunk in minutes after nearly 50 years of active use in one of the most highly trafficked regions of the east coast.

At 1:30 am on March 26th when a cargo ship leaving the port of Baltimore struck the bridge, causing it to collapse, six construction workers perished. Six men. Six sons. Six brothers. Six fathers. Six immigrants. All who lost their lives doing while repairing vital roadway, during an “off” hour.

For the greater part of 5 months, I have found myself deeply troubled by this tragedy. The profound sorrow I feel for the families of these men, who now face a future marred by loss, is immeasurable. These men dedicated themselves to the noble task of keeping our roads safe, working in conditions that many of us would consider unthinkable. Their sacrifice is a stark reminder of the risks inherent in their profession, and the enormous debt of gratitude we owe them.  I send light to these families, praying that their thwarted plans tied tightly to the opportunities that their persons construction occupation would provide, will be filled with positive outcomes each and all.

As I reflect on this, my thoughts inevitably turn to the team at MKJ—our own group of unsung heroes who toil in the furthest reaches of the NYC subway system at all hours, and under all conceivable conditions… all conditions. 

So today, as our country pauses to honor those who labor, I am taking a moment to acknowledge the bravery of team MKJ and all electricians, road workers, crane operators, truck drivers, flagmen and flag-women, scaffolders—every single construction worker who puts themselves at risk every day and night. To our electrical contractors, and the countless tradesmen and women we collaborate with, the manufacturers and freight providers who work tirelessly, often in less-than-ideal conditions—through all weather, at all hours, in places that can only be described as sketchy, rough, and sometimes downright dangerous – I am thinking of you.

On this Labor Day, let’s remember the importance of the construction industry at larger – all of the worker-heroes, and honor their courage, dedication, and the vital role they play in all aspects of our daily lives. 

T H A N K  Y O U !

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT:

ROCKSTAR OF THE MONTH: 

Ladies and gentlemen… have you not heard about MKJ’s secret weapon?   The one person that elevates the close out of every MKJ project every single time?   It is incredibly true what they say – those closest to you often get overlooked… and in this case, that is exactly what happened.  Ling Tsang sits directly to my left.  He is quiet, stealthily so, he is hard working – a literal one-man encyclopedia of technical knowledge with the rare skill of being a gifted compiler, writer, and information spewer in all the ways the engineering staff of the NYCTA likes it. 

Ling like 80% of all MKJ employees came from a land far-far away.  He was born in China and emigrated to the United States in 1968 while just a boy.  His parents – both worked in garment related industries in NYC’s Chinatown while raising Ling and his siblings.  Ling’s wife can only be described as amazing… and Ling has two grown children. 

When Ling joined MKJ I could not appreciate all that he would add to the fabric of our organization. A computer scientist with a knowledge of systems that is both deep and wide.   From the get-go all he required at the time was drawings – lots of them, computer, a three-hole puncher and the reinforced sleeves that would go into these insanely large vinyl binders.  Technology, pandemic, and time has changed how Ling delivers his work, but his ability to memorialize an entire project for the future maintenance and care – to distill such enormous amounts of information for the palatable use by others is such a remarkable skill.  A puzzle.  

Ling’s father King Fong Tsang recently passed away – and it made me realize how much I actually don’t know about my colleague that sits directly to my left… something I aim to rectify in short order… it’s been 14 years after all !

Thank you, Ling, – I know I have said this to you directly multiple times in multiple ways – but you are the most unique, irreplaceable, kind person.  We are so lucky to have you in the MKJ Fam.

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