Major Open Shop Construction Industry Merger in New York State

Today, the Empire State Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and the New York Construction Alliance (NYCA) announced that the organizations have completed a major move that will resonate throughout New York State’s entire construction industry, by completing a merger that brings together its two most powerful open shop organizations. This move will have long-lasting effects for the industry as these two organizations have been leaders in the race to improve jobsite safety for all.

“For many years, the voice of the open shop construction industry was fragmented. While it employs tens-of-thousands of New York City residents, provides a pathway to the middle-class and has reshaped the skyline, it has been largely ignored. With this merger, we’re combining the two most active and outspoken advocates for the industry under one roof,” said ABC Empire State Chapter President Brian Sampson. “We will now speak with one, clear voice. We’re thrilled to have NYCA’s Board join our Regional Leadership Committee as we continue to improve construction safety standards for the entire industry and advance policies that ensure everyone has a fair shot at rebuilding New York City.”

Now, as one organization, the newly combined Empire State Chapter of ABC will remain steadfast in its areas of focus for the open shop industry, in all regions of New York State, and have an even greater reach in the New York metropolitan area.

“As safety has always been our preeminent focus at NYCA, we could not be happier to merge with ABC’s Empire State Chapter, which has demonstrated its commitment to safety year-in-and-year-out,” said NYCA Board Members Bill Cote and Lance Franklin. “Our organizations have always been moving in the same direction, working toward the same goals, but now, with our combined strength and dedication to safety, along with the advocacy efforts of ABC and the knowledge-base it has built for more than 50 years, we are putting together a united front.”

“At ABC, jobsite safety has always been at the center of what we do,” said ABC Empire State Chapter Board Chairman Tony Soprano. “NYCA’s trademark has been the efforts of the robust safety committee it has built, which has always focused on making the industry safer for everyone. We look forward to combining our world-class STEP safety management system with NYCA’s safety committee while continuing to raise the bar for industry safety standards.”

NYCA has been a leader for safety and advocacy in New York City’s construction industry since its founding in 2016. Along with its membership, it has been committed to strict Environment, Health and Safety Standards (EHS) in construction operations to protect employees, clients, employers, the public and property from hazards and activities that may cause or contribute to workplace injuries and property damage.

ABC’s Empire State Chapter continues to advocate for a level playing field for its membership while fighting for improved safety standards for the entire industry. Its STEP program has dramatically improved safety performance for participating companies. On average, participants have proven to be 174 percent safer than the industry average. Platinum and Diamond level participants are 242 percent and 655 percent safer than the industry average, respectively. ABC’s Empire State Chapter has made tremendous strides in making jobsites safer, while creating a skilled and diverse workforce.

With this major merger now complete, NYCA’s leadership will join the Empire State Chapter’s Regional Leadership Committee to continue to guide ABC’s work on legislative issues, safety policy, education and business development in New York City, and around the state.

As NYCA, and its membership, has been fully absorbed by ABC, this combined organization will now work under the ABC Empire State Chapter name.

The Empire State Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, part of a national construction industry trade association established in 1950, was founded on the merit shop philosophy. ABC Empire State Chapter helps its more than 400 members develop skilled tradesmen and women, submit winning bids for work and deliver that work in a safe, ethical and timely manner for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work.