Why begrudge, construction work is not easy!  Horrifically hot in summer  and freezing cold amongst those concrete towers in winter.  Surrounded by inclement weather unless purposefully on a beach or skiing.  
As for your statement ' holding these guys to the same standard as the industry in most of the rest of the country'  -this last statement has errors and commissions : 1) women? just guys? , 2) how much of the  "rest of the country" and where exactly , finally 3)  please specify when accidents occurred while stoned and drunk while working on construction site?  Seems like a mean spirited commentary because one read the word Union.