(ALBANY, NEW YORK) - Governor Kathy Hochul has signed into law the Roadway Quality Assurance Act, which strengthens New York’s Construction Workforce by ensuring they are paid the Prevailing Wage.  This requirement uplifts Workers and local communities across the State and contributes to reliable utility service for ratepayers.

Governor Hochul said: "Our Construction Workers keep New Yorkers moving but are often underpaid for their hard and impactful work.  I am proud to sign this legislation that will provide Construction Workers with fair wages and allow them to support themselves, their families and our local economy.”

The Act protects Workers on projects requiring the excavation or opening of a street.  The legislation mandates utility company contractors and subcontractors pay the Prevailing Wage to Employees on projects where a permit to use, excavate or open a street is required to be issued.

New York State Building & Construction Trades Council President Gary LaBarbera said: “We thank Governor Hochul for signing this important piece of legislation that will benefit Construction Workers across New York.  Prevailing Wages provide meaningful benefits to workers and the economy, as they enable the Building Trades to continue creating Middle Class/family-sustaining careers.  The new law will protect public safety and utility service reliability by ensuring these roadway excavation projects utilize a highly-trained- and -skilled workforce.  We look forward to continuing to work with the Governor and our partners in the Legislature on other meaningful policies to benefit Workers throughout this great State.”

Dan Bianco, who serves as Vice President and New England Regional Manager for the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA), said: “For decades our Union pushed to expand this requirement from just New York City to the rest of the State.  This was a long and hard-fought battle by the Men and Women of the New York State Laborers that will benefit our Membership indefinitely.  We’d like to thank our valued colleagues in the Senate and Assembly, specifically Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Bill Sponsors – New York State Senator Mike Gianaris and Assemblymember Karines Reyes, Senate Labor Chair Jessica Ramos and Assembly Labor Chair LaToya Joyner, who recognize the importance of paying solid wages to Workers, safety, training and holding big utility companies accountable to the people their businesses serve.  Most importantly, we thank Governor Hochul for standing shoulder-to-shoulder with proud LIUNA Members and signing this legislation into law and for being a strong ally to the Union Men and women who build New York from the ground up!”

New York State Conference of Operating Engineers President Thomas Callahan said: “The New York State Conference of Operating Engineers thanks Governor Hochul for signing this Bill into law.  Workers in this sector will now receive the wages and benefits they deserve.  We also want to thank the New York State Legislature - especially the sponsors - for passing this important Bill.”

To Directly Access This Labor News Report, Go To: Governor Hochul Signs Legislation Ensuring Prevailing Wage for Construction Workers Performing Certain Utility Work on Roads | Governor Kathy Hochul (ny.gov)