Construction Jobs in New York Facing Salary Cuts
The Center for Urban Real Estate at Columbia University has issued a report challenging the minimum salary set by law for construction workers on public projects.
NEW YORK, NY, June 14, 2012
Once again the workers of New York are under attack. The Wall Street Journal reports that the Center for Urban Real Estate at Columbia University has issued a report challenging the minimum salary set by law for construction workers on public projects. The prevailing wage law under attack requires that trade workers on public projects be paid the same wages that union workers receive.New York is one of the most expensive states in the country to live and work and raise a family. Construction workers, painters and allied tradesman and women, recycling and general industrial laborers, healthcare workers, transit workers, and others--all contribute to the great economy of our state, and all face special health and safety hazards day in and day out. Our labor unions have done a tremendous job, against great odds, in fighting for a decent living wage for our working men and women.
Workers who build public projects face the same health and safety hazards at work as those who build private projects. They face the same rent at home, and food costs, and health costs. Their expert work in keeping New York a thriving, vital state should be rewarded with the fairest possible wage.
We support the opinion of the Fiscal Policy Institute, which has attached the Columbia study, and which argues forcefully in favor of prevailing-wage laws.
As always, if you have any questions regarding Workers Compensation, Wage & Hour, or Social Security Disability laws, please don't hesitate to give me a call, 212-344-9022, or visit my website at www.thekleinlawgroup.com.
Sincerely,
David Klein, Partner, The Klein Law Group
The Klein Law Group
11 Broadway, Suite 960
New York, NY 10004
thekleinlawgroup.com
I am proud to say that workers' compensation and social security disability law has been a part of my life almost from childhood. I have given classes and workshops, and written newsletter articles, for many local unions and Teamsters, including asbestos workers, hazardous waste carters, drivers of baked goods and dairy products, EMS paramedics, butchers and meat-wrappers, the Municipal Police Benevolent Association, and the Mason Tenders Training Fund, SEIU 1199, Locals 108, 79 and DC9 and Allied Trades.