“We are deeply alarmed by Governor Hochul’s decision to exclude labor requirements in her new housing agenda. This isn’t just bad policy; it also undermines New York’s economy. Right now, 1 in 4 New York construction workers have no health insurance and 41% of construction workers and their families rely on government assistance. Notably, these statistics do not include the plight of undocumented workers.
Governor Hochul’s proposal to revise local zoning is particularly concerning. The existing proposal will rob local elected officials, unions, and others protecting exploited workers of the only leverage they must force powerful developers to provide good jobs and benefits to all workers, whether they’re in a union or not.
“We urge the Governor and the legislature to promote good jobs with family sustaining wages, and to protect workers and tenants in their housing agenda.”
Joseph Geiger is the Executive Secretary – Treasurer of the United New York City & Vicinity District Council of Carpenters.
The New York City District Council of Carpenters is a representative body comprised of nine individual Locals and 22,000 union members.
