If projects are being funded by public dollars they should come with certain standards that the public wants. The unionized construction industry is dedicated to building the middle class by providing its workforce with an appropriate wage, healthcare, retirement security and training programs.
THE PEOPLE YOU ELECT HAVE THE POWER TO PROTECT OUR JOBS, OUR BENEFITS AND OUR MIDDLE-CLASS LIVELIHOODS.
Something is happening in New York State and across the country. When working people join together, working people win. Because of your vote, the Laborers have helped to pave the road to a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives. In three districts, scattered from Staten Island to Lake Ontario, competitive races by Democratic newcomers proved pivotal in deciding control of the House.
As expected, there was little suspense in the governor’s race. The Democratic incumbent, Andrew M. Cuomo, won a third term, defeating the Republican candidate, the Dutchess county executive Marcus Molinaro who gave Mr. Cuomo scant competition. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was also easily re-elected, securing over 76% of the vote against her long-shot challenger, Republican candidate, Chele Chiavacci Farley.
WHAT DO WE DO NOW?
We get more involved. We get our friends and family more involved. We tell folks that a collective vote on the right people can and will benefit the middle class. But you can’t make a difference at the polls until you are registered to vote. If you haven’t already, go below to prepare yourself or others you know for 2020.
Laborers’ PACs unite to endorse candidates who prioritize unionized construction workers
NEW YORK, NY — LiUNA-NY unveiled its first round of endorsements of 59 State representatives who are committed to protecting the rights of unionized construction workers and share the Laborers’ values of safety, fairness, and justice.
“LiUNA-NY supports candidates that will advance the unionized construction industry, prioritize construction safety, and fight for job creation in New York State. We believe this list of incumbents and challengers sees the value in uplifting middle-class careers in the construction industry,” said Robert Bonanza, Business Manager of the MTDC/Chairman of MTDC PAC and John Hutchings, Director of the NYS Laborers’ Organizing Fund PAC in a joint statement. “These candidates are committed to enhancing safety, wages, and training standards for workers, and we are proud to endorse them in their New York Senate and Assembly races.”
It is crucial that LiUNA members have strong representation in Albany that share an understanding of the issues that affect members in locals across this state. Unfortunately, it has become apparent over the past few years that the Republican Conference is not supporting the construction industry or working New Yorkers in the ways they traditionally have in the past.
LiUNA-NY takes this responsibility seriously as we are accountable to the 40,000 members who will be impacted by those endorsement decisions.
LiUNA-NY is proud to endorse the following who will grow the economy and create good, family-supporting, middle-class jobs.
Adding to her growing list of early endorsements, New York City Public Advocate Letitia James has added the support of the 40,000-member New York State Laborer’s Union in her bid to become Attorney General, James’ campaign told the Times Union.
The endorsement is the latest for James from a labor organization that happens to have a good relationship with Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who went to bat for building trades workers during the debate over renewal of the 421-a tax abatement for real estate developers in 2015.
LIUNA-NY joined City & State's 2018 P3 Summit and Awards event held at New York University.
This day-long program included panels of New York's transportation infrastructure leaders and P3 experts discussing the complexities of public/private partnerships and ways to execute and manage P3s.
Awards were given to Samara Barend, Senior Vice President and PPP Director for North America, AECOM; John Porcari, President, US Advisory Services, WSP and Interim Executive Director, Gateway Development Corporation; and Stewart Steeves, Chief Executive Officer, LaGuardia Gateway Partners. NYS LECET participated as a sponsor.
