#structural Steelwork

[ukdailyblogs]

5 Shocking Property Maintenance Mistakes That Could Cost You Thousands

Just bought a stunning new build? Freshened things up with a dazzling refurbishment? Or maybe you've even added a sleek extension to your abode? Congratulations! But before you settle into complete bliss, let's talk about those pesky property maintenance tasks. While the excitement of renovations (kitchens & bathrooms, anyone?) and stunning finishes might consume you, neglecting property maintenance can turn your dream home into a wallet-draining nightmare.

Fear not, fellow homeowners .Here are 5 shocking mistakes to avoid, whether you're basking in a Royston house extension, rely on reliable builders in Stevenage, or live in the beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside:

1. Ignoring Leaky Faucets and Dripping Pipes:

That tiny drip-drip-drip might seem harmless, but it can morph into a major plumbing disaster (and a hefty bill) down the line. Fix leaky faucets promptly and have your pipes inspected regularly for hidden threats.

2. Skipping Gutter Cleaning:

Clogged gutters are a recipe for roof and foundation woes. Rainwater overflowing can lead to leaks, dampness, and even structural damage. Schedule regular gutter cleaning (especially after autumn leaf fall) to avoid costly repairs.

3. Neglecting Roof Maintenance:

Your roof is your home's guardian against the elements. Don't wait for a storm to expose loose shingles or damaged flashing. Get your roof inspected periodically and address any issues immediately.

4. Putting Off Window and Door Maintenance:

Worn-out weather stripping and loose caulking around windows and doors can lead to drafts, increased energy bills, and even water infiltration. Invest in regular maintenance (resealing, replacing weather stripping) to keep your home energy-efficient and weatherproof.

5. Forgetting Preventative Maintenance:

Think of property maintenance as preventative healthcare for your home. Schedule regular inspections for electrical wiring, heating & cooling systems, and plumbing. Early detection of potential problems can save you thousands in repairs later.

Remember:

Consistent property maintenance isn't just about keeping your home looking sharp; it's about safeguarding your investment and avoiding costly surprises. By addressing minor issues promptly, you can ensure your dream home stays that way – a beautiful, comfortable, and financially secure haven for years to come.

[cadengineeringsolutions1]

[braithwaiteindia]

Structural Steel Work Services for Superior Construction in India

Braithwaite & Co. Ltd. is a PSU under the Ministry of Railways. The company has played a pivotal role in constructing diverse engineering marvels in the country. For instance, it has provided structural steelwork for Vidyasagar Setu, Brahmaputra Bridge, Ganga Bridge, Mahanadi Bridge, etc. Headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal, the company got conferred with Miniratna  status in 2022.

[harbex51]

Leveraging Structural Steelwork Contractors and Laser Cutting Companies for Industrial Progress

Structural Steelwork Contractors and laser cutting companies are pivotal players in the industrial sector, fueling innovation and advancements. In the heart of their operations, the marriage between meticulous craftsmanship and advanced technology results in the production of high-quality, reliable, and durable structures. Structural Steelwork Contractors: The Pillars of Progress Structural steelwork contractors are the architects of our industrial and infrastructural landscape. These skilled professionals play a key role in creating steel frameworks for a wide range of applications - from skyscrapers and bridges to warehouses and power plants. Their expertise goes beyond just assembling structures. The process involves planning, designing, fabricating, and erecting steel structures while adhering to stringent safety standards and regulations. With a keen eye for detail, structural steelwork contractors ensure that each structure's integrity meets the specific needs of the project. They collaborate closely with other professionals such as architects and civil engineers to ensure that the final product is not only strong and stable but also aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly. Laser Cutting Companies: Precision and Efficiency On the other side of the industrial spectrum, we have laser cutting companies, an embodiment of precision and efficiency. Laser cutting is a non-contact process that uses a high-power laser beam to cut materials, usually metals, with exceptional accuracy. This technology allows for the production of parts and components with complex geometries that would be difficult to achieve with traditional cutting methods. Laser cutting companies offer services that are essential in industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, and more. The high degree of precision offered by laser cutting means that components can be produced quickly and efficiently, reducing lead times and increasing overall productivity. Additionally, since the process is computer-controlled, it results in minimal waste and significantly reduces the chances of human error. Harmonizing Structural Steelwork and Laser Cutting The integration of services from structural steelwork contractors and laser cutting companies offers a competitive advantage in the industrial sector. This synergy allows for the production of highly customized, precision-engineered components and structures that meet a wide range of specifications and applications. The combination of these two services can result in quicker turnaround times, improved accuracy, and overall cost efficiency. Projects are completed faster without compromising on quality, thanks to the high level of precision offered by laser cutting and the skilled assembly by structural steelwork contractors. In the face of growing complexity and demand in the industrial sector, it's clear that structural steelwork contractors and Laser Cutting Company are instrumental in delivering high-quality, efficient solutions. Their commitment to quality, precision, and innovation continues to drive industrial progress forward, creating the buildings, infrastructure, and products of tomorrow.

Discover the world of precision and efficiency with leading Structural Steelwork Contractors and an innovative Laser Cutting Company, dedicated to providing comprehensive solutions to meet your project needs.

[axtellastructures]

Axtella Structures is a reputable company that specializes in creating high-quality steel detail drawings for a wide range of construction projects. These drawings include detailed plans, sections, and elevations that accurately represent the structural components and connections of a building or structure. The drawings are created using advanced computer-aided design (CAD) software and are customized to meet the unique needs and specifications of each project. Axtella Structures is committed to delivering accurate and reliable steel detail drawings that are easy to read and understand, ensuring that every project is completed on time and within budget.

[hansalindustry]

Welcome to follow our Facebook page

[triangleltd]

Materials Used to Produce Cattle Grids

A cattle grid is a smart & cost-effective solution to keeping livestock in your property and out of hazardous areas they shouldn’t be commuting through. They are generally used so your cattle are kept off or away from railway lines, rivers, or other places that could potentially put them in danger. Usually, there’s a gap between the grid’s bars that’s meant to allow small animals like rabbits to pass under but not for larger ones like cows. Also, cattle grids require pretty less maintenance than gates do, which means you won’t have to constantly shut down traffic during times of increased pedestrian traffic. It is because you know that the steel cattle grids you have installed are enough durable to last longer.

What Makes Cattle Grids So Durable As earlier discussed, a cattle grid, sometimes referred to as a cowcatcher or cow grid is a structure that sits atop the ground and prevents cattle from straying into other areas. They are often used in personal farms, ranches, and locations where farmers tend to keep their livestock so they can prevent them from crossing over into other properties as well as dangerous areas. However, they are not made of only one kind of material. So, their durability utterly depends on the material that has been used to produce them. So, this is the metal that you should be concerned about. Well, the design of the cattle grid and who manufactures it may also play a significant role in determining its quality. However, steel cattle grids are usually considered a good option because they are decently durable. Nonetheless, the following materials are used for cattle grid production. Steel While extremely strong steel cattle grids have a high maintenance cost as they are prone to rust and need frequent painting. Therefore, we highly recommend buying galvanized steel in order to get the best use out of them if you choose this option! Concrete Concrete cattle guards are some of the most commonly used cattle guards in areas where landowners need to control vehicular traffic across the pathways leading to their property. This is because of their durability and relatively lower cost when compared to other alternatives such as metal fencing, which is much weaker and more expensive. Concrete fences are often reinforced with metal rods that significantly increase their strength while making them less susceptible to cracking or breaking over time. Additionally, they are not as expensive as steel grids. However, if you prefer steel cattle guards, you can search on the internet for steel fabricators near me! Electricity Using electricity in a cattle grid is an excellent way to discourage livestock from crossing over. Not many people choose this option because it is pretty risky as well as costly. However, you may think about it if you want an extreme level of security! Final Words Installing cattle grids unquestionably adds an extra layer of security for cattle. However, many cattle owners find it difficult to reach out to the right professionals, but you don’t need to get in a fluster. You can get in touch with Triangle Ltd. It is one of the best steel railing fabrication companies in Hampshire. To know more visit our official website: triangleltd.co.uk.

[other-peoples-coats]

Thinking about building regulations on coruscant (do not do this)(there is something wrong with me)

and like, ok, so there has to be a level of straight up 'you literally cannot bribe someone enough to let you [build like this]', if only because the industrial scale disaster of one of those one squillion story high buildings coming down and taking out like. So Many fancy rich people and also more poors than god, and also fucking up the traffic for a whole planet makes it like...y'know? historically there 100% were Incidents, at this point probably there's enough regulations that you can't get away with Structurally Unsound (like will collapse) building, at all.

BUT! that is really only a baby limit. if it won't collapse and kill a medium planet level of people, you're good to go if you grease the right palms.

Secret rooms that aren't on the plans? pah, please, try whole ass levels and wings of the building. Private hoverlift listed as a 'maintenance duct'? private fucking speeder landing pad (for 12 speeders) listed as a decorative window topper. Zoned for light industrial only? go down a couple levels, and guess what, full scale steelworks is light industrial if you put in a couple of filters!

but also, like, and I'm thinking here specifically of the walkie scorchie and other buildings like that, how many buildings on coruscant are like. technically sound, but also just straight up vaporise you if you walk past them at the wrong time of year. or make you into paste if the wind blows wrong. Star wars doesn't believe in guard rails, except coruscant, because the number of rich people getting literally blown off the side of a level and into the center of a planet was getting too high.

[lonestarbattleship]

May 4, 2024 Update from the Battleship Texas Foundation

"BATTLESHIP TEXAS UPDATE

A new plank made from the deck of #battleshiptexas will be apart of the ship's store in the near future. You can find all of the items made from the ship's deck here: https://store.battleshiptexas.org/collections/deck-wood

The ship is currently moored at Pier D in Gulf Copper Shipyard where it will continue to undergo repairs and preparations to become a museum ship once again!

The water sheds, designed to help keep the weather out, have been removed for repair. They will be placed back once those repairs are complete.

Fasteners used to hold the water sheds in place are being removed. These will be made into keepsakes in the future. The water sheds, designed to help keep the weather out, have been removed for repair. They will be placed back once those repairs are complete.

AFT FIRE CONTROL RESTORATION: The ship's aft fire control tower is looking great! The mullions for the windows are fitted, floater net baskets added, and more. These repairs and additions will help return the ship to its 1945 appearance.

DECK REPAIRS: The decking on the ship's bow is being removed moving aft. Steelworkers will soon follow them to blast the steel and make repairs where needed. A pressure treated pine will be put back on the deck. Yes, some of this wood is being saved to produce items to raise funds.

For more information on the deck visit: link

A resin used to level the deck in 1990 is being removed. The new planks will be cut to fit the deck instead.

1990 pine decking removed from the O1 level. These boards will be cut down and shipped off to become Battleship Texas keepsakes.

Margin pieces from the ship's O1 level have been saved to be used as a pattern.

The removal of the pine decking on the ship's O1 level is nearing completion. We are now able to see remnants of gun mounts, deck lights, and more!

This is where a 5".51 cal. Gun was before being removed throughout the ship's service career.

If you have taken a picture on the ship's bow before, you may recognize that the fans that were placed over this hatch area are now gone! This is more step forward to improving the ship's appearance.

With the removal of the ship's decking on the bow, the ward room temperature has increased considerably! It was 85 degrees Fahrenheit today.

RADAR TOP MAST: The radar top mast has been removed from the ship's main mast and will receive structural repairs before being placed back on the ship.

MAIN MAST: The deck on the ship's main mast is being repaired and replaced in certain areas. Gun mounts are also being added back.

Repairs made to the ship's main mast are nearing completion. The radar mast is still being worked on, but once complete, it will be placed back. The foundations for the 20mm Oerlikons will also be put back!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

WHAT’S NEXT? - Battleship Texas will remain at Gulf Copper Shipyard for until her new home is ready for her. Additional steel work, removal and replacement of the ship’s deck, and superstructure/aft fire control restoration will continue. And painting the topsides!

The ship's smoke stack is being repaired to help keep it watertight. They will also use the scaffolding to run pipe to the whistle, as well as installing the ship's siren.

Workers are continuing to repair the ship's drainage system. This will help reduce standing water on the lower decks.

Drain system repairs being made in the ship's galley, and the condenser room just below it. These were previously blanked off.

TOURING? - The Battleship Texas Foundation is working on new touring opportunities before the ship reopens.

REOPENING? - There is a lot to be done before the ship is ready for touring at its new home in Galveston, Texas. Reopening is projected to happen sometime in the later half of 2025.

MISSING GUNS? - The ship's anti-aircraft guns are currently undergoing restoration. The guns and gun directors will be replaced once their restoration is complete.

The new oak foundation for one of the ship's 5"/51 cal. Guns in the aircastle awaits its stand and carriage.

Come on Texas!

To donate to the preservation and operation of Battleship Texas, please visit: https://battleshiptexas.org/

Support Battleship Texas by making a purchase through the ship's store: https://store.battleshiptexas.org"

Posted on the Battleship Texas Foundation Facebook page: link

[degenderates]

stenciled grafitti on a boarded up and abandoned theater in Gary, Indiana, a major steelworking town in the early 20th century. Gary has over 13,000 abandoned structures.

[cadengineeringsolutions1]

Find a Residential Structural Engineer near You

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Visit Here: https://www.cadengineeringsolutions.co.uk/for-structural-engineers.php

[darkx-the-dragon-kn1ght]

Chapter 25- Part 13

Okay, it's as I thought…turn it back to Factory Field, and that Ghost-type boost goes away. Interesting dynamic there…

Huh-? Wait, there's more? Shoot, I was pressing the down key for a solid couple seconds there because I thought she was done.

He can talk? Um- more importantly, I'm curious as to what this apology could be about…

Huh?? Okay, hold up, I wasn't expecting this kinda intrigue all of a sudden! It wasn't because Team Meteor was trying to mess with the city's structure?

What do you mean Team Meteor tried to kill Ame specifically?? I've gathered that being the manager of the Reborn League gives one a high level of authority and influence, sure, but like…enough to warrant specific targeting for an assassination? It's not like she's the Champion, so like…I dunno.

But more importantly, if Ame's information here is accurate, then…Xera truly was a victim of circumstance. It really was just a matter of who Ame was sitting closest to at the time, and that person just happened to be Xera. I wasn't actually expecting to get answers to what I was proposing earlier, I was just explaining character motivations in the context of what's happened in the story thus far. Huh. 

Well- that doesn't change much, I mean…Xera could still be in a bit of denial, she could still want to hear it from Shade himself, even if I'm beginning to doubt that'll actually work out.

And Ame's not exactly helping, being all cryptic like that. But there's nothing more to be done about it right now- so, while my character has an existential crisis about the nature of her survival and continued existence, let's talk strategy.

Ghost-types are an interesting breed- after all, they only have two weaknesses: Dark-types and…themselves, Ghost-types. Given Short-Circuit Field boosts certain Ghost moves and any Ghost-types I bring will be just as weak to those attacks as Shade’s Pokémon, it's probably better if I just…don't bring any Ghost-types. So that leaves Dark as my main option, and luckily we have a few options for that. In addition, Normal-types are immune to those Ghost moves, and while Ghost-types are just as immune to Normal-types, those same Normal-types can learn Dark- or Ghost-type attacks to compensate.

There's also the matter of the Short-Circuit Field itself. It largely benefits Ghost-types, because in terms of Dark-type moves, only three get a boost: Dark Pulse, Night Daze, and Night Slash. For that reason, I think it would be better to turn Short-Circuit Field back to Factory Field as soon as possible, to take away that advantage on Shade's side. Granted, there are a few ways for Shade to turn it back to Short-Circuit Field…

The big one seems to be Discharge, but here's the thing about that: the only Ghost-type that can learn Discharge in any capacity is Rotom. And we already encountered Rotom- default Rotom, no less- when we fought Connal. So I don't think Shade's gonna have a Rotom of his own- after all, why use the exact same Pokémon in two boss fights in a row? Why wouldn't they have given Connal one of the other Rotom forms in that case?

However, there are other ways to convert Factory Field to Short-Circuit Field, such as through certain Ground-type moves. Bulldoze, Earthquake, Magnitude, even Fissure- Sandyghast, Palossand, Dusclops, Dusknoir, Golett, Golurk, Phantump, Trevenant, and Dhelmise are Ghost-types that can learn at least one of these moves (and that Shade would realistically have- I doubt he's gonna use his own Alolan Marowak or a Giratina), so he's got options. 

I wouldn't be surprised to see Golett/Golurk or Sandyghast/Palossand, their Ground-typing makes them immune to opponents’ boosted Electric attacks and they provide another way to bring back Short-Circuit Field. Dhelmise is also an interesting one, because Short-Circuit Field has a special property that grants Steel-type moves used by Pokémon with Steelworker a secondary Electric type- and Dhelmise happens to be the only Pokémon with this Ability. Just seems very…specific. Another cheeky option might be Sableye or Spiritomb, due to them only being weak to Fairy-types. 

As for other options…I'm not sure. They could be Pokémon who are strong against Dark-types, so…Fighting, Bug, and Fairy. The only two Ghost/Fighting-types are Marshadow and Annihilape, the former being a literal Mythical and the latter being illegal in the Reborn region. The only Ghost/Bug-type is Shedinja, and the only Ghost/Fairy-type is Mimikyu. And while Wonder Guard shenanigans would also be cheeky, it's easy to work around, so Mimikyu might be more likely.

With all of that said, I might have a proper team for this. Behold!

Riptide is a given, and Prong is there to use Charge Beam to switch to Factory Field. Obsidian is there as the Dark-type, and her Fire half will also be immune to any possible Will-O-Wisp shenanigans. Gash, meanwhile, will be immune to Ghost-type moves and be able to deal super effective damage with Night Slash. Kirby is there because his Fairy-type moves will be able to hit Sableye or Spiritomb, and being part Normal-type will also make him immune to Ghost moves.

Ace, though, is an interesting case. You see, in addition to also having a Ghost immunity, his Ability is noteworthy. Usually, you'd want Guts on your Taillow/Swellow, but in this specific instance, his current Ability is very useful: Scrappy. If you're unaware, Scrappy allows for Normal-type attacks to hit Ghost-types- in other words, Ace can bypass the Ghost immunity to Normal while maintaining his own immunity. Combine that and the fact that you can get the Facade TM from the Arcade, well…I think you know what I'm thinking.

So now, it's that time again- time to go on our grand training arc at the Grand Hall!

(Several battles later…)

And now- well, Kirby is a friendship evolution, so that's gonna be a bit more complicated. But, I can just wander around to build up friendship- which I need to do because I'm heading down to the Underroot, both to mine the glowing rocks down there and to get Ace burned. I know you can encounter Shuppet down there, and at their level, they should know Will-O-Wisp.

(Many steps later…)

Success! And now, we continue mining-

(Several rocks later…)

So, while mining, I came across this:

Just…casually coming across the Odd Keystone, no big deal, no malevolent spirits are gonna burst out of it anytime soon, I'm sure. Anyways, back to grinding friendship on Kirby-

(Many more steps later…)

So when I came back to Grand Hall, I talked to this guy (I thought he was the guy who sold Common Candies for...reasons), and this happened:

Which…hey, better late than never, I suppose.

Previous

Next

[kikidewynter]

so i’ve been thinking. steelport is an industrial city, why do they have a nuke plant? going off my theory that stilwater was a mining/fracking outpost until the ‘earthquake,’ i want to say the same for steelport. both cities have industrial roots. maybe they both sit on oil or gas deposits. they were first settled to collect these resources, then, in steelport especially, steelworks popped up around the energy plants. the companies built worker accommodations, families moved in, schools had to be built, etc etc. and bam you have yourself a city. but i’m rambling. so why does steelport have an apparently abandoned nuclear plant? well i’m going to say it’s not nuclear. it’s called ‘burns hill’ for godsake. it was definitely a fossil fuel plant back in the day. why is it abandoned now? well i can’t find results for how far nuclear power can be used from the source bc google is an absolute shitshow. so i’m going to say that steelport (being close by) runs on the power from stilwater’s nuke plant. this change is a result of fears that steelport would meet stilwater’s fate and get sunk below sea level. but the change meant the burns hill plant had to close, and thousands were put out of work. and since i don’t care about canon, i want to say that ultor was an industrial corp long before they started selling sunglasses (which was possibly a move to destigmatize the brand name). the stilwater nuke plant was built decades before sr2. and the people of steelport have been harbouring distrust and outright hatred for ultor ever since. but ultor continued to spread like a disease on steelport, despite resistance. chemical plants were set up (that pollute the air and water). more and more of the original factories and plants shut down in steelport, a city dominated by these structures, and thousands put out of work. the central island has been wiped clean of the remnants but the eastern island was only remodelled. there, the bones remain, dressed up as bougie nightclubs or art studios. now only a small amount of these original factories are still in use, in the poorest parts of the city, where houses are crammed in between and the air is choked by black smoke. there are slums, the old original company housing now falling apart from rot and age and structural faults. the old burns hill reactor lights up at night, the home to an underground club, where the city’s downtrodden gather to let loose. now that ultor has firmly set its sights on the entirety of steelport as a possible holiday destination, a beacon of luxury and entertainment for the rich, they intend on expanding their ‘revitalisation’ project

[urban-photography]

Chrysler Building - A Timeless Legacy

Within the heart of a city that never sleeps stands a testament to human ingenuity, aspiration, and artistry—the Chrysler Building. Its glistening spire pierces the sky, a beacon of architectural excellence that has weathered the tides of time. This preface is an invitation to embark on a journey through the annals of history and design, as we delve into the compelling story of this iconic structure.

In the pages that follow, we shall uncover the secrets concealed within the stainless steel brilliance of its facade. We will stand beneath the awe-inspiring ceiling mural in the lobby, a vivid portrayal of progress and movement. We will explore the Chrysler Building's role as a symbol of ambition, representing not just the dreams of its creators but the aspirations of an entire metropolis.

Its silhouette, instantly recognizable, has transcended mere architecture to become a symbol of New York City itself—a city of dreams and possibilities. As we turn each page, we will witness the meticulous attention to detail that adorned its exterior, a testament to the craftsmanship that defined the illustrious Art Deco movement.

The story unfolds with a glimpse into the construction marvels of the Chrysler Building. From the spire's engineering wizardry to the transition in architectural styles that it embodies, we will unravel the building's unique setbacks and elegant crown, which have captured the imagination of generations.

Behind the scenes, a cast of skilled artisans—steelworkers, decorators, and visionaries—joined forces to bring the architect's dreams to life. Their dedication and expertise remain a testament to the spirit of collaboration and excellence that defined the era.

As we journey through these pages, we will discover that the Chrysler Building is more than steel, stone, and art; it is a living testament to the enduring spirit and resilience of New York City. It represents a city's determination to reach new heights, not just in terms of architecture but as a thriving hub of human aspiration.

So, dear reader, let us embark on this exploration of the Chrysler Building's story—a timeless legacy etched in the heart of Manhattan. As we turn each page, may we be inspired by the audacity of human dreams and the artistry of those who dared to build toward the sky.

100 Most Fascinating Facts About the Chrysler Building

[eelhound]

"The Fordist factory seems to require a particular family form. The male-headed nuclear family arose in coordination or correspondence with the transformations of employment in the twentieth century and got codified into law in various ways. For example, as Alice Kessler-Harris shows in her book In Pursuit of Equity, the Social Security system very strongly encouraged women to be housewives, making that make financially more sense than to work the low-wage jobs that were available to women. Women would accrue more Social Security benefits by means of the housewife formula than they would likely accrue in a job as a waitress or a secretary or the other jobs that were available to most women. This is one of the many examples of how the welfare state herds working-class people into this particular family form...

Why is it that the structure of the capitalist welfare state social formation prefers and seeks to produce this family organization?... the labor force upon which industrial production depends has to get produced and reproduced in the family. This is particularly true for industrial mass production like steel and auto. For long-term planning purposes, managers need a stabilized workforce. And for this, they need the labor force to be consistent and reliable and to show up in more or less the same form that they can anticipate every day. This is part of why they were willing ultimately to accept collective bargaining.

What that means is that the family has a particular role to play. The family has to produce steelworkers. It has to raise male children who are in one way or another ready for this role. It has to refresh them each night.

And it’s a more complex undertaking than you might think. Steel mills run twenty-hour hours a day. You can’t turn them off because they’re too hot and it takes too long to heat them back up again, so you just run them constantly. They run in three eight-hour shifts, which means that every steelworker at various points is going to be doing an 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. shift, a 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. shift, and sometimes a 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. shift. If he’s doing a 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. shift, and the family has four or five kids — these are typically pretty big families, especially in the earlier Cold War period — the wife has to make dinner for the kids at 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. and then stay up and make him dinner again at midnight when he gets home.

Moreover, when he gets home, he is going to be filthy, because he works in a steel mill. His clothes are going to be caked in industrial grease, and there will be grease under his fingernails, in his hair, on his eyelids. She has to help him get clean. He’s going to be tired, frustrated, worn out, maybe humiliated from the shit he went through with his foreman that day, and he’s maybe going to want to have one or two drinks, a very common ritual. So she has to do what we could think of as emotional work to deal with that. She needs to keep him from waking up the kids. He’s then going to sleep through the next day because he was up late working at the steel mill, and so she has to keep the kids from making any noise that would wake him up during the next day.

Just from these little examples I’m giving you, you can see how the family has this economic function supplying a steady supply of labor power, but it’s people who make it up. It’s not just a series of input factors — it’s people living their lives, with human experiences and needs and desires and conflict. And basically it’s a wife and mother’s job to square that right, to figure out how to keep it all going. It’s a very difficult job, emotionally and physically. I read diaries and letters and all kinds of things from steelworkers’ wives saying things like, 'I typically do the laundry at two in the morning because that’s when I know no one will need me for anything else.' And it’s also impossible: they can never make it fully line up. They can’t ever be the family that postwar Cold War America imagined that they should be able to be."

- Gabriel Winant being interviewed by Daniel Denvir, from "For Workers, Hospitals Have Become the New Steel Mills — Minus the Strong Unions." Jacobin, 28 January 2023.

[argyrocratie]

​Clan capitalism

Ukraine became independent in 1991 following a referendum in which more than 90% of voters voted in favor.[3] Until 2014, Russia accepted this result and recognized Ukraine’s existence in a sort of regime of “limited sovereignty”. Ukraine was tied to its larger neighbor by economic relations[4] and Russia was able to use its local clients to influence internal political development. The latter has long been turbulent.

The period of economic transition in which Ukraine followed, to some extent, the prescriptions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, quickly created a new capitalist class. At first, it was composed mainly of “red directors” (i.e., the managerial cadres of the Stalinist regime), and later also of broader layers – from the ranks of the technical intelligentsia, various parts of the state apparatus and the criminal underworld. The 1990s were a true Eldorado for this class, though often quite dangerous for its individual members. Using both legal and extralegal methods, it seized key enterprises and banks, which it either stripped of all assets or concentrated into giant holdings and investment groups. Profits were exported to tax havens. At the same time, it began to take control of the media and politics. Unlike its predecessors in the Stalinist nomenklatura, it also managed to integrate itself into the global capitalist class, at least in terms of the use of its consumption fund (yachts and luxury properties abroad, jets, as well as private investments in international financial markets).

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s real GDP per capita was in steady decline– up until 2000. Average life expectancy decreased from 70.5 (in 1989) to 67.7 years. Non-payment of wages,[5] work in the informal economy, and a decline in purchasing power became everyday realities for the Ukrainian working class. Although the numerous strikes, marches, hunger strikes, and blockades have managed to score some local successes (e.g., the payment of wage arrears, postponement of privatization, etc.), they failed to change the overall course or create a broader movement.

The story so far is not that different from the Russian one.[6] However, the centralization and consolidation that Putin implemented after the Asian financial crisis and the collapse of the ruble (1997–98) never took place in Ukraine. Putin gradually nationalized some energy companies, built a “power vertical”, whose backbone was formed by security service cadres and various personal friends, and subordinated the oligarchs to this structure. The latter has since overseen the distribution of rent derived mainly from fossil fuel extraction. Ukraine’s domestic capitalist class, by contrast, has remained divided into competing “clans” that are tied to specific sectors of the economy and geographic regions.[7] The rivalry between these factions of Ukrainian capital has been the basis of political instability.

The numerous movements of political protest which often also voiced social and welfare demands were always co-opted by a political project of one of the groups – either from the very beginning or gradually. The “Ukraine without Kuchma” (2001–2002) and “Arise, Ukraine!” (2002–2003) protests were directed against President Leonid Kuchma, involved in several scandals, including the murder of a journalist. The “Orange Revolution” (2004–2005) was in response to the electoral fraud of the then prime minister and presidential candidate Viktor Yanukovych, as well as the suspicious privatization of Ukraine’s largest steelworks in Kryvyi Rih (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast), in which Kuchma’s brother-in-law was involved along with the former Donetsk gangster, Rinat Akhmetov. The movement “Rise up, Ukraine!” (2013) opposed President Yanukovych and his attempts to consolidate power. Finally, the Euromaidan (2014) was a reaction to his decision not to sign the Association Agreement with the European Union. The most successful of these movements, the Orange Revolution, and the Euromaidan, may have led to a change of political leadership, but they did not significantly shake the position of the clans, let alone the clan system as such. Ultimately, they became a means of bringing another faction of the domestic business class to power.

The lumpen-capitalist competition, in which one or the other faction gained control of the state (and thus preferential access to loans, subsidies and contracts), explains, at least in part, why the state has failed to impose a long-term, viable development plan on the country. On the other hand, this unstable environment also left some room for the development of a resistant civil society, including independent trade unions, activist organizations, and the radical left.[8]

Russia maintained an influence over Ukraine through those sections of the local capitalist class that were materially interested in maintaining close relations – for example, in the interests of their own sales, favorable prices for inputs (especially, but not exclusively, energy inputs), or gas transfer fees. The capital base of this faction was mainly concentrated in the Donbas, the former industrial heartland of the Soviet Union, home to a large Russian-speaking population and the birthplace of the Stakhanovite “movement”. In the 1990s it was the scene of the bloodiest conflicts within the capitalist class, a center of organized crime – but also the epicenter of the tragedy of the “old” working class, especially the miners. Their mass strikes in the late 1980s and early 1990s helped destroy the Soviet regime and win Ukraine’s independence,[9] but after a wave of privatizations, asset stripping and bankruptcies, many found themselves with no jobs or prospects. Between 1992 and 2013, the population of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts fell by 1.7 million, declining at twice the rate of the rest of the country.[10]

- karmína,“the tragedy of the ukrainian working class” (2022)

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[3] This was about 76% of all eligible voters. In Crimea, support for independence was the weakest, at around 54% of the vote. Similarly in Crimea’s Sevastopol, which was a separate constituency – 57%. In Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts, however, almost 84% of those who voted were in favor of independence. Wikipedia summarizes the results in detail.

[4] As recently as 2013, imports from Russia accounted for 29% of total imports of goods; exports to Russia accounted for almost 23% of Ukrainian exports of goods. By 2020, both indicators had dropped to 11% and 6%, respectively (see oec.world). On the other hand, exports to the EU15 already accounted for a larger share of total Ukrainian exports than exports to Russia in 2002. Thus, the dependence of Ukrainian industry on Russian gas and oil has played a decisive role. 

[5] A specific feature of the Ukrainian (as well as Russian) transition was that official unemployment never reached a level close to twenty percent, such as in Poland (2002) or Slovakia (2001). Workers in enterprises that ran into trouble remained formally employed but were not paid – although in many cases they continued to work. Sometimes they received payments in kind instead of cash.

[6] Of course, in many respects it is also reminiscent of the history of other former Eastern Bloc countries, including Slovakia.

[7] The history and structure of the “clans” is described in “The Oligarchic Democracy” by Sławomir Matuszak. See also “The Consolidation of Ukrainian Business Clans” by Viatcheslav Avioutskii.

[8] A peculiar phenomenon of political life in Ukraine was the emergence of a seriesof fake left-wing groups founded around 2000 by the same circle of people. These pseudo-organizations established contacts with foreign “internationals”, mainly of the Trotskyist variety, and lured material aid or money from them. It was enough to write that they identified with their political program and wanted to become a Ukrainian or Russian section. Despite personal meetings, it took three or four years for the foreign donors – delighted by the unexpected growth of the workers’ movement in the former Eastern Bloc – to discover that their “partners” were in fact political hucksters. The scandal had seriously damaged the international reputation of the Ukrainian left, though one may also pause at the credulity of Western leftists.

[9] On earlier strikes by Donbas miners for economic demands and democratization, see the documentary Perestroika from Below (1989). Later strikes had more explicit political demands, including national independence. See the interviews with strike leaders in Donetsk, as well as a brief documentary (with English subtitles). The history of miners’ protest from perestroika to 2000 is summarized in an essay by Vlad Mykhnenko subtitled “Ukrainian miners and their defeat”. See also the recollections of the Dnipro working-class militant, Oleg Dubrovsky, in a 1996 interview (in English), as well as his analysis of the process of privatization of the mining industry (in Russian).

[10] One of the consequences of the disintegration of the mining industry in the Donbas has been the growth of illegal mining in the so-called kopanki. A section of the 2005 documentary, Workingman’s Death, focuses on the phenomenon. The post-apocalyptic landscape of the Donetsk Oblast is depicted in the short documentary, Life After the Mine (2013).