(NEW YORK CITY) - Thousands of Construction Workers joined the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York (NYCBCTC) last week, rallying against anti-development campaigns led by special interest groups who oppose high rise construction with arguments that tall buildings will create shadows, obstruct views and cause “wind tunnels.”

The most recent and prolific example of this is the Friends of the High Line’s public opposition to high rise construction and other development on the West Side of Manhattan.

This kind of anti-development mantra is blocking tens of thousands of Middle Class careers, stifling affordable housing creation and impacting workers and their families.

The rally featured remarks from NYCBCTC President Gary LaBarbera, New York City AFL-CIO Central Labor Council President Vincent Alvarez, community members and business owners near The High Line who support and benefit from development, and Union Apprentices and tradespeople who are potentially losing out on life-changing career opportunities.

These types of not-in-my-backyard movements not only undermine job creation, but they also deepen inequality by ensuring that only the wealthy can afford to live and thrive in Manhattan while the Working Class struggles to make ends meet, Speakers at the rally said.

Workers should be able to live and raise their families in the city they built, those who spoke at the rally said.

Click Here To Read More About The High Line Anti-Development Campaign In Crains