Blog
Take Closer Look at Labor Agreements
Since taking office, Cuomo’s taken aggressive steps to appease his union donors by using project labor agreements to award contracts. Such agreements are pre-hire ones with labor organizations requiring that the workforce come from the local hiring hall. Using project labor agreements virtually eliminates competition for the unions, ensuring their contractors win the work.
AUDIO: The Capitol Pressroom Talks With Brian Sampson
A bill that would require prevailing wage on private projects receiving public funds has raised the ire of a number of organizations. Brian Sampson, President of the Associated Builders and Contractors Empire State Chapter, weighed in on the bill.
New York Post: How Union Construction Privileges Bleed Taxpayers Dry
At a recent campaign rally, Gov. Andrew Cuomo renewed his promise to New York City construction-union bosses and members, who just so happen to be among his biggest backers: “There will never be a state project that isn’t built with union labor” while he’s governor.
Syracuse: City’s Bid Requirements “Unrealistic,” Leave Syracuse Kids Behind (Your Letters)
Student-athletes at Fowler High School have spent nearly a decade without a home athletic field. This is largely due to excessive, unnecessary and frankly unfair regulation.
Construction Citizen: ABC Members and NCC Competitors Inspired By Opening Presentations At ABC Convention 2018
The Opening General Session of the ABC Convention 2018 in Long Beach, California began this year with an explosion of sound and excitement.
The Buffalo News: Another Voice: Revision To Apprenticeship Law Hurts Taxpayers
In late April, the Erie County Legislature, in a vote along party lines, passed Local Law 4-1 to close what they deemed to be a “loophole” in their apprenticeship law. Unfortunately, for the residents in Erie County, the ill-informed and misguided members of the Democratic majority chose to dramatically increase the cost of public construction at a time when financial resources for infrastructure are scarce.
The Buffalo News: Plan To Tighten County Apprenticeship Rules Draws Concern
What appears to be a minor change in an existing law has drawn concerns from business groups who think it would exclude many non-union contractors from county work.
Cuomo and his Surrogates are Pressuring Local Manufacturer to Build with Discriminatory PLA
Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC), Empire State Chapter President Brian Sampson blasted Governor Cuomo appointee Howard Zemsky and his team at Empire State Development Corp (ESDC). for pressuring Athenex leadership to place a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) on the construction of their new plant in Dunkirk.
Outdated Union Work Rules Driving Up MTA Costs
The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) has come under fire of late. It’s been accused of being one the most mismanaged transit authorities in the world. These accusations arise from the MTA being plagued by construction delays and high costs. However, being that all construction on NYC subways has to be 100% completed by union labor,…
Prevailing Wage Driving Up MTA Costs
The study looked at three different megaprojects to determine what factors are causing high construction costs. The RPA concludes that labor costs are the most divisive cost driver. The RPA cites a Turner and Townsend study, that found New York construction labor costs to be the highest in the world, reaching almost $100 per hour. These labor costs are directly attributed to New York’s Prevailing Wage Law.