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
| Jan 18, 2012
California approves open cell spray foam for energy efficiency standards
The California Energy Commission (CEC) now recognizes open-cell spray foam as an accepted insulation in its 2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards.
| Jan 5, 2012
Building to LEED standards now an 'easy call' from cost standpoint
Once seen as a cost burden, building to LEED standards is now an "easy call," according to Dan Probst, chairman of energy and sustainability for real estate management and development firm Jones Lang LaSalle.
| Jan 5, 2012
Minnesota's GreenStep Cities program aids communities in winning grants
GreenStep Cities, a Minnesota initiative, was designed to provide greater recognition to the state's communities for achievements in meeting sustainability standards and goals.
| Jan 5, 2012
Some ADA accessibility rules change in 2012
Some changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act go into effect beginning March 15, 2012.
| Jan 5, 2012
Ontario's stringent energy code has builders concerned over indoor air quality
Some Ontario builders are worried that new building code requirements with stricter energy efficiency measures could lead to poor indoor air quality.
| Jan 5, 2012
New law bars Defense Department from new LEED certifications
The Defense Department will not be allowed to use any money to certify its buildings LEED Gold or Platinum, under a law President Obama signed Dec. 31.
| Jan 5, 2012
Some ADA accessibility rules change in 2012
Some changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act go into effect beginning March 15, 2012.
| Jan 3, 2012
New SJI Rule on Steel Joists
A new rule from the Steel Joist Institute clarifies when local reinforcement of joists is required for chord loads away from panel points. SJI members offer guidance about how and when to specify loads.
| Dec 29, 2011
OSHA enforcing new fall hazard standards
OSHA is enforcing its new fall protection standards, as evidenced by a recent crackdown in New York.
| Dec 29, 2011
NRCA offers program on new fall-protection requirements
The National Roofing Contractors Association's (NRCA's) program "Roofing Industry Fall Protection from A to Z" will be held Feb. 21 during the organization's 125th Annual Convention.
