News Summary
Local officials in Long Island held a press conference to promote the Stop Worker Exploitation in Public Education Act, aimed at implementing project labor agreements for public school construction projects. The initiative focuses on combating contractor corruption and ensuring worker security. Concerns were raised regarding payments and exploitative practices in school districts like Merrick, as several contractors face legal action for misconduct. The legislation seeks to favor responsible, local contractors, with broad support from labor organizations and elected officials advocating for enhanced accountability and protections for workers.
Long Island, NY — Local leaders held a press conference at the Norman J. Levy Lakeside School to advocate for the Stop Worker Exploitation in Public Education Act, which mandates project labor agreements (PLAs) for public school construction projects across Long Island. The initiative aims to combat corruption among contractors and ensure the protection of workers on public school sites.
During the event, elected officials, labor leaders, and construction workers condemned ongoing corruption within construction projects, particularly highlighting issues faced by the Merrick School District and other districts across Long Island. This statement comes in the wake of several contractors allegedly being prosecuted for crimes, including nonpayment of taxes and exploitation of workers.
At least two contractors were identified as having faced legal actions in the current year by the Nassau County District Attorney’s office for their illegal activities. Additionally, it was revealed that a third contractor had submitted fraudulent certified payrolls to the Merrick School District, a serious breach that went unnoticed.
In a related discussion from a press conference held at Uniondale High School, local officials informed that a masonry contractor based in the Bronx has been indicted on multiple charges, including failure to pay employee payroll taxes and aggravated identity theft.
Officials noted that Long Island school districts have awarded multimillion-dollar contracts to contractors with questionable backgrounds, including records of wire fraud, wage theft, and failures in securing necessary insurance and workers’ compensation. Such actions have reportedly cost taxpayers millions of dollars and deprived laborers of significant earnings.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish project labor agreements between Long Island public school districts and local building trades unions, ensuring that jobs are allocated to responsible, New York-based contractors who commit to hiring local labor. By doing so, the initiative aims to create safer and more accountable working conditions in school construction.
A coalition of organizations is backing the campaign, including the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau & Suffolk Counties, the Mason Tenders’ District Council of New York and Long Island, and the Long Island Federation of Labor. These groups work collaboratively to promote local accountability and higher standards in public contracting.
The campaign has garnered support from various New York State Senators and Assembly Members from the Long Island region, reflecting a growing consensus among local leaders on the necessity of reforms in public school construction practices. Elected officials emphasized the need for greater accountability in the awarding of contracts to ensure local community benefits.
Key proponents of the act include Senator Monica Martinez, who contended that the legislation would protect workers and save taxpayer resources while enhancing safety during construction projects. Senator Jack Martins pointed out that project labor agreements provide certainty to school districts and help maintain high-paying jobs within the state, promoting economic stability.
Assemblymember Michaelle Solages highlighted the broader community impact of contractors who exploit workers, stating that such practices do not just harm affected individuals but negatively influence students and the local economy as a whole.
Overall, the press conference serves as a critical call to action, highlighting the urgent need for legislative reform in Long Island’s public school construction projects. By instituting project labor agreements, local leaders and labor organizations aim to address corruption, protect workers, and ensure financial accountability for taxpayers.
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