New York laborers could be on the cusp of securing a historic minimum wage win as their union pushes hard for the council to act on their promises. Here’s the full story.
Wage Talks Taking Center Stage
Wage talks are the talk of the town at the minute.
California’s Fast Food Wage Hike
Whether it’s California raising the minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 or LA upping bus drivers’ pay to $25 – everybody, and every union, wants a piece of the pie.
New York’s Wage Battle
And now, New York has become the battlefield in a construction workers’ fight for a wage hike.
Mason Tenders District Council vs. Real Estate Board of New York
Their union, The Mason Tenders District Council (MTDC), struck a wage deal with the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) a few months ago.
However, REBNY has been slow to act – although some may say they’ve been dragging their heels.
Urging State Leaders
Now, the MTDC is urging state leaders to act on their deal and turn it into law. Their aim? A $40 minimum wage for all construction workers building affordable housing.
Community Groups Rally Behind Workers’ Rights
They’re not alone in this push. Community groups backing workers’ rights are joining forces with the Mason Tenders, calling on Governor Kathy Hochul, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins to ensure that a $40 minimum is implemented.
Replacing New York’s 421-a Program
The $40 minimum would only apply to projects that benefit from a new tax incentive program for developers who build affordable housing, which is currently being drafted to replace New York’s pre-existing 421-a program.
Union Power
MTDC and laborer activist groups are pushing to make it law that any replacement for the 421-a program has to include this $40 minimum wage. They say it’s crucial for both union and nonunion construction workers.
Immediate Action Needed
While other unions are still hashing out wage deals with REBNY, the Mason Tenders District Council wants immediate action.
The Call for REBNY’s Response
They argue that they’ve already reached an agreement, but REBNY has yet to act despite the new minimum being necessary to support workers and their families.
Wages Matter
The proposed $40 minimum wage could make a big difference for many New Yorkers, especially those from immigrant communities and ex-offenders.
The Current Reality for Some Workers
These groups have repeatedly stressed the importance of boosting wages – especially as some construction workers currently earn as little as $16 per hour.
A New York City Dream
The MTDC’s deal raises construction workers’ pay to $35 an hour, which then increases to $40 per hour by 2026.
After a few years, pay would eventually reach $45 per hour. The pay rise would apply to projects with 100 units or more citywide.
Building a Stronger Middle Class
The MTDC sees this deal as a way to uplift all construction workers, not just their members. They believe it will help build a stronger middle class in New York City, which is famously a city with massive wealth inequality.
Discontent Among Construction Unions
Other construction unions aren’t happy with the $40 minimum wage deal that the Mason Tenders have agreed on – they think it falls short for construction workers.
Council of Carpenters’ Frustration
The New York City District Council of Carpenters, for example, shared their frustration in a memo sent to state lawmakers.
They argue the “$40 wage doesn’t raise the floor” and won’t kick in until 2026. They also weren’t fans of the $40, including $15 for benefits, leaving workers with only $25 per hour.
Defending the Deal
But the Mason Tenders have defended their deal, which they say will make a big difference for many New Yorkers.
Mason Tenders Speak Out
A spokesperson stated, “This is a $40 hard-dollar minimum wage, meaning every penny of that $40 will go to the worker, either in direct wages or a combination of wages and benefits.”
Strong Wage Standards
Other construction unions want the state to set strong wage standards but want higher wages than what the Mason Tenders agreed to.
The State’s Dilemma
City lawmakers, however, want to wait for REBNY and the Building Trades Council to agree on wages for the replacement of 421-a before they step in.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie explained, “We’re not just standing on the sidelines while they work this out, but in a way you have to come up with something that they’re both comfortable with.”
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The post New York Union Pushes for $40 Minimum Wage in Construction Sector first appeared on From Frugal to Free.
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