New York Open-shop Trade Groups Merge

The state’s largest non-union construction trade organization has expanded after absorbing another trade group.

The Empire State Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is merging with the New York Construction Alliance (NYCA), according to an ABC statement.

NYCA’s leadership will join the Empire State Chapter’s Regional Leadership Committee which guides ABC’s work on legislative issues, safety policy, education and business development in New York City, and around the state. The newly combined organization will now work under the ABC Empire State Chapter name.

“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 middleclass and has reshaped the skyline, it has been largely ignored,” ABC Empire State Chapter President Brian Sampson said in the statement. “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.”

Founded in 2016, NYCA has advocated for safe construction practices to protect employees, clients, employers, the public and property, according to the statement.

“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,” NYCA Board members Bill Cote and Lance Franklin said in the statement. “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.”

The Empire State Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, part of a national construction industry trade association established in 1950, has more than 400 members.

This story originally appeared online in the Long Island Business News on 6/8/22