Crane Operators Strike Averted

As if the NBA lockout wasn't enough, the operators of those giant cranes at Barclays Center were threatening to go on strike at the precise moment the players will be locked out Friday. But an eleventh hour deal averted a work stoppage across the city. The arena is a month ahead of schedule, set to open in September 2012.

Talks went on all day Thursday. The dispute had threatened to shut down the city's unionized construction industry. Painters, steamfitters and mason tenders had already reached deals, but three other groups—operating engineers, concrete workers and bricklayers—had not. Barclays Center is the city's biggest construction site along with the World Trade Center development.

• NYC crane operators avert strike at eleventh hour - AP
• Last-minute talks seek to avert crippling strike - Danny Massey - Crain's New York Business
• Crane operators ready for possible citywide strike that threatens $10B in construction projects - Brian Kates - New York Daily News