A group of New York City construction unions have joined forces with affordable housing activists to pressure Mayor Bill de Blasio to require organized labor on construction of 80,000 lower-cost apartment units.
The unions will support a requirement that 50% of the new units be set aside for lower- and middle-income residents. Unions say they are willing to accept wages that are 40% lower than union pay scale on affordable-housing projects in certainneighborhoods. These projects would include new workers with less experience than existing union members. Many of the less experienced workers would be drawn from local communities.
Cooperation between unions and housing advocates, who have often been at odds, is an unusual step. Affordable housing projects have typically been built without union labor because higher wages have often meant fewer units could be built.
Construction union leaders have met with de Blasio administration officials about using organized labor as the mayor’s affordable-housing plan is developed. City officials said significant details remain to be worked through, though.
(http://online.wsj.com/articles/unions-activists-align-on-affordable-housing-1408497156/)
Related Stories
| Jun 21, 2012
California adds window film to building code
California is the first state to add window film into its building code. Window film, a polymer material, offers cost-effective energy savings.
| Jun 21, 2012
New ISO standard to improve environmental management of concrete
A new ISO standard will help the construction industry better manage the environmental impacts of concrete.
| Jun 21, 2012
On net-zero projects, Building Teams will be held accountable for energy-efficiency performance
The building team will be held accountable for how net-zero energy buildings perform two, five, and maybe ten years after completion.
| Jun 14, 2012
USGBC co-founder launches rating system for building product manufacturers
U.S. Green Building Council co-founder David Gottfried’s new venture, Regenerative Ventures, has established a rating system for building product manufacturers.
| Jun 14, 2012
Green standard set for single-ply roofing membrane
A sustainability standard has been established for single-ply roofing membranes used on commercial buildings.
| Jun 14, 2012
Minnesota Vikings stadium plan gets legislative go-ahead
Legislation that approved the construction of a new billion dollar stadium for the Minnesota Vikings passed the Minnesota legislature.
| Jun 14, 2012
Report alleges New York’s prevailing construction wages are miscalculated, costing billions
A miscalculation in how prevailing wages are calculated in New York reportedly costs the state $3 billion a year in public-infrastructure projects.
| Jun 14, 2012
AGC, other business groups oppose hiring rules for disabled
Business groups have asked the U.S. Department of Labor to reconsider a proposed hiring quota aimed at federal contractors pertaining to people with disabilities.
