The Chief Leader and The Real Deal are both reporting on New York City Lawmakers who want to raise wages for Non-Union Construction Workers, as well as increase home building projects.  The extremely low wages of such Workers, some who make only $15-and-hour, are pushing Construction Workers out of New York City because they can no longer afford to live there.  Now, Lawmakers are working with Building Trades Unions - as well as Immigrants’ Rights Groups, to effect change.  Two Coalitions, one led by the New York City District Council of Carpenters and one by Laborers Local 79, are backing City Council Bills that will increase pay for Construction Workers at City-funded projects, and would extend to Non-Union Laborers.  One of the measures, the Construction Justice Act, requires Construction Workers wages and benefits to be worth at least $40 per hour at certain housing projects.  At least $25 of that must be wages.  Under the Bill, initiated by Local 79, projects that receive financial assistance - potentially including subsidies and tax incentives - must abide by these wage requirements.  The Bill has not been introduced yet and the Union is still negotiating the thresholds for financial assistance and number of apartments that would trigger the requirements.  Developers could avoid these rules by hiring Workers from a New York State Apprenticeship Program - a provision aimed at incentivizing the hiring of Union Workers.

For More, Go To: www.thechiefleader.com/stories/construction-unions-back-council-bills-that-would-bring-higher-wages-for-non-union-labor,51384

And: NYC Construction Unions Push Wage Requirement Bills (therealdeal.com)

Photo Courtesy Of Laborers Local 79's Facebook Page.