PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Brett Thomason, Political Director of Steamfitters Local 638
2:13:56
·
136 sec
Brett Thomason, representing Steamfitters Local 638, testified in support of widening the scope of professionals allowed to inspect and work on steam and gas systems. He emphasized the importance of reinstating the licensing board for better communication with the Department of Buildings.
- Acknowledged the grief of families affected by radiator accidents and their efforts to make changes at the city level
- Advocated for including steamfitters in the legislation as experts on steam systems, radiators, and gas systems
- Pushed back against the agency's claim of ongoing meetings with industry professionals, stating that communication has become infrequent since the dissolution of the licensing board
Brett Thomason
2:13:56
Hello, and thank you for allowing me to testify today.
2:14:01
I wanna reiterate a a couple things that have been said.
2:14:06
First, I I wanna I wanna start by acknowledging the the grief of the families that was going here today and and their efforts to to make a change in the city level.
2:14:17
We we appreciate that.
2:14:19
And so dovetailing into that legislation.
2:14:22
I just want to I want to reiterate what my colleague Melissa Barbara shared that we think that if the legislation is going to be effectively implemented, we need to widen the scope of folks that are able to inspect and do that work effectively.
2:14:43
I represent steamfitters, local 638.
2:14:46
We have approximately 9000 members across the city and Long Island that are responsible for installing gas systems.
2:14:53
Seam systems, radiators, and servicing them.
2:14:56
So we would like to see the legislation developed in a way that centers our membership and the experts that they are on those systems, in those inspections.
2:15:09
And then, again, a lot of what I was going to say has been said both by the mechanical contractors and the plumbing professionals, but I wanna reiterate the importance of the licensing board.
2:15:23
And push back on on what the agency said in terms of their continued and ongoing meetings with industry professionals.
2:15:31
I can say from local 630 eights perspective, that has not been the case.
2:15:37
Since the dissolution of that license board are communication and ongoing liaising with DOB has has been much more infrequent and the licensing board and is is just an important part of, you know, showing the public some transparency and also giving DLB a tool to have some eyes and ears on the ground in the industry from from industry professionals and experts.
2:16:04
So with that, I'll conclude my time.
2:16:06
And again, thank you for providing the steering today, and I'm happy to answer any questions.
