Seeking support for safer, more efficient school construction projects in New York state
How O’Donnell & Associates and the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters set out to convince lawmakers to back the legislation.
By Ralph R. Ortega
The team at O'Donnell & Associates was in Albany this week for a lobby day with the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. Union members kicked off the daylong event Tuesday with a breakfast at the Renaissance Albany Hotel to go over their legislative agenda, which called for supporting SB1672-B, sponsored by state Sen. Monica Martinez from Suffolk County, and A 765-B, sponsored by Assembly Member Michaelle C. Solages from Nassau County. Both call for ensuring that school-related construction projects incorporate fair labor practices and pay a living wage.
The legislation proposes amending the education law as it relates to construction projects by requiring the use of a Project Labor Agreement, or PLA, for each contract involving the awarding of a construction project with an estimated cost of $1 million or more.
PLAs have been shown to be an effective tool in ensuring safe and efficient construction projects in New York state. PLAs establish the terms and conditions for a particular construction project, and within the provisions of an agreement, wages and work schedules are a part of those provisions. A 2009 Cornell University study found PLAs contributed to cost savings and fewer delays in projects. Additionally, PLAs generally foster safer working environments by enforcing strong worksite labor standards.
The legislation would require the adoption of PLAs on educational construction projects. These types of projects are particularly prone to delays, strikes, and cost inefficiencies. The use of PLAs will ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively and aren't overspent throughout educational institutions' construction projects. There is no fiscal impact from this legislation.
To drive the message home, Regional Manager Anthony Villa introduced Assembly Member Solages to deliver remarks about the need for PLAs. "The state spends millions of dollars building those buildings and maintaining the buildings. So, when you talk about HVAC, when you talk about additional safety upgrades, capital projects, roofs, that's millions of dollars in taxpayer money that's being spent," she told attendees at the breakfast. "And what's happening is a lot of these private contractors are doing nefarious things."
Solages pointed out wage theft and how contractors have been caught falsifying payrolls. Contractors have also been caught contract-steering. "I see it firsthand. Workers are being undercut and underpaid," she said. "We're seeing that frequently, and there are so many different cases."
The assembly member told union members that they did not have to get into specific examples of worker disenfranchisement, "because one worker that's disenfranchised, that means that all workers are disenfranchised. And they're disenfranchising some of the most marginal individuals."
In one example she gave, an immigrant worker was made to sleep on a construction job so that it could be completed more quickly. The worker couldn't comply, fearful that his immigration status would be jeopardized.
"What we're doing here is not hypothetical. It's really happening on Long Island, and frankly, across the state," she said, asking the members to make their messaging "personal."
"I want to reinforce that we need union labor building these schools on Long Island, and to make sure that we're protecting not only the workers, but also the students," Solages added. "When you have bad contractors not disposing of asbestos correctly, that doesn't impact just the worker, but the students are getting the residue, and they're getting bad air quality."
The legislation, she noted, also makes provisions for protecting "next generational workers" by referencing apprenticeships. "It talks about making sure that we have qualified workers at every job."
She called on members to stay focused on promoting union jobs and making sure money stays in Long Island, specifically noting how workers with out-of-state license plates have been spotted on jobs on the island, while many Long Island workers commute to New York City for work.
"It's tough. You're driving by your local school district and going into the city when you could just be working right in your local community, investing in local dollars, dollars, and strengthening (that) community," she told attendees. "We can protect union jobs, and … make sure that New York dollars stay in New York."
Also, on the lobby day agenda was support for a $17 million appropriation to be included in the state budget to support workers' compensation fraud investigations at the district attorney level. Union members also voiced their support for the State University of New York's request for additional capital funding. SUNY is currently sitting on $1.3 billion of "shovel-ready" projects that could lead to 60 potential PLA projects across the state.
Members concluded the day with their popular lobby day evening reception at the Renaissance Albany Hotel, attracting hundreds of lawmakers, other elected officials, staff, journalists and friends.
About Ralph R. Ortega
Ralph has been a reporter and editor for several major newspapers and magazines for more than 30 years, and is now vice president of public affairs at O’Donnell & Associates.
Most recently, he was the editor-in-chief of the award-winning City & State NY magazine. At City & State, Ralph managed a team of talented journalists covering the downfall of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the ascent of current Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ election campaign and later his administration, as well as the election of Mayor Zohran Mamdani. In his role, Ralph became a well-known player in New York’s political world, emceeing, moderating, and conducting interviews at City & State events. He also wrote a weekly column that focused on policy, transportation, and advocated for greater Latino representation at City Hall and in city government. Read Ralph’s full bio and contact information.