New York, NY – On Tuesday, dozens of #CountMeIn demonstrators, along with supporters, stood their ground outside the Time Warner building and mall at 10 Columbus Circle —headquarters of billionaire Hudson Yards developer Stephen Ross.
“We want to see Stephen Ross brought to his knees before our own eyes!” cried one union organizer through a bullhorn, as curious shoppers paused on their way into the multi-million dollar building built by Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins.
The Hudson Yards development team triggered the formation of the Building Trades’ #CountMeIn campaign last fall, after refusing to enter into a Project Labor Agreement [PLA] for Phase II of the massive West Side building project, a move that creates a race to the bottom and puts good middle-class jobs in jeopardy.
Thirty-seven #CountMeIn members were arrested on August 22, after holding a sit-in at Park Avenue and E. 51st Street to protest Ross’ actions.
This week, in 90-plus degree heat, #CountMeIn demonstrators — Ironworkers, Laborers, elevator conductors, lathers and others — once again shouted “No surrender, no retreat!”
“Hallelujah!” shouted a passerby, joining a group of protestors, waving his hands in support.
“Hallelujah!” shouted a passerby, joining a group of protestors, waving his hands in support.
On Saturday, September 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. — just prior to the kick off of this year’s Labor Day Parade — #CountMeIn demonstrators will be back at 10 Columbus Circle.
“Let’s show Stephen Ross whose city this really is! Join us to wake up Steve before the Labor Day Parade,” a #CountMeIn flyer previewing the action declared.
Protestors also handed out leaflets targeting Ross’s Related Companies — www.ReformRelated.com — featuring a photograph of towering new buildings being added to New York City’s skyline.
“Many contractors that work on projects developed, managed, and financed by Related Companies have histories of endangering and exploiting workers,” the flyer, read.
