Gary LaBarbera, the President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, and Doug Lipari, the Executive Director of the New York City Office of Talent and Workforce Development, have Co-Authored a Labor Perspective that was published in The New York Daily News, Headlined: Investing Billions In Union Construction Careers. They opine, in part: Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) may not be the flashiest phrase in politics, but they are an important one. At a moment when New Yorkers need good-paying, Union jobs, when our City Government needs to build things faster and more efficiently, and when we all need a more affordable New York City, PLAs help us deliver all three. That’s why the Adams Administration and the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York and Vicinity (BCTC) took a $7 billion step towards bringing even more PLAs to life. For Workers, PLAs mean fair wages and benefits, key safety protections and training opportunities. For the City, they mean clear, consistent, up-front costs, labor harmony during construction, and a reliable source of skilled Union talent. By standardizing work rules during construction, PLAs help save money and deliver more projects on time – all without compromising the quality or safety of the Men and Women working on these projects. That’s a win for Workers, for taxpayers and for the New Yorkers who will use these buildings once they open. Ultimately, these PLAs are about more than just completing new projects. They have the transformative potential to build a stronger, stable, Unionized Workforce in New York City and make sure that the Middle Class is open to every New Yorker. Now, let’s get to work!
To Read This Labor Perspective In Its Entirety, Go To: Investing billions in union construction careers