June 26, 2015
By LaborPress
New York, NY – The union representing some 17,000 construction workers, hazardous materials handlers, recycling and waste handlers and Catholic high school teachers in New York is applauding legislators for finally taking action on 421-a tax abatement reforms.
Up until now, the 421-a program had extended $1.1 billion in tax breaks to developers each year in New York City, while also failing to uplift workers.
The "On behalf of New York's working families, I want to personally thank Governor [Andrew] Cuomo, Leader [John] Flanagan and Speaker [Carl] Heastie for coming together to fix 421-a,” said Robert Bonanza, business manager, Mason Tenders District Council, LiUNA and affiliated entities. “By reforming this program to offer better wages to workers, and build more affordable housing, it's clear that Up4NYC's campaign to require that public funds come with public responsibilities prevailed."
Patrick Purcell, executive director of Greater New York Laborers & Employers Cooperation & Education Trust [GNY LECET] said that a pathway to the middle class has been created for working families.
"Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York's legislative leaders developed a 421-a plan that will create a pathway to the middle class for New York's working families,” Purcell said. “I thank each of them for the leadership they portrayed this session."
Mike McGuire, director of the Mason Tenders District Council Political Action Committee thanked Governor Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders for developing a “real plan for 421-a – one that will create desperately needed middle class jobs for New York City residents."
