PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by David Bolger, Business Manager of Mason Tenders District Council, on the Construction Justice Act (read by Kris Kohler)
2:17:47
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148 sec
David Bolger, through his representative Kris Kohler, testifies in support of the Construction Justice Act (CJA), which aims to establish a $40 per hour wage and benefit package for workers building affordable housing in New York City. Bolger emphasizes the importance of fair wages and benefits for construction workers, particularly those who are currently underpaid and exploited.
- The CJA is described as long overdue and complementary to the recent state action (485x) that created a similar wage package for state-subsidized affordable housing projects.
- Bolger argues that the CJA will transform the lives of thousands of construction workers, enabling them to become part of the middle class.
- The testimony highlights the dangerous working conditions and long-term health problems faced by affordable housing construction workers, emphasizing the need for better compensation.
David Bolger (read by Kris Kohler)
2:17:47
Good afternoon.
2:17:47
My name is Chris Coler.
2:17:48
I'm the assistant director of the Mason Tenders Pack, and I'm gonna be reading the testimony of David Folger.
2:17:54
My name is David Folger.
2:17:56
I'm the business manager of the Mason Tenders District Council, a Council of Labor Unions representing construction laborers throughout New York City.
2:18:03
I'm here to testify in support of the construction justice act also known as the CJA.
2:18:09
I wanna start by thanking New York City Council member Carmen De La Rosa for introducing the CJA and championing this legislation among her colleagues in the New York City Council.
2:18:18
At the Mason Tenders District Council, we believe in raising wages and improving job quality for all construction workers, not just our members.
2:18:26
The CJA is long overdue.
2:18:27
It will create a much needed $40 per hour wage and benefit package that strengthens and empowers New York's affordable housing construction workforce as a whole.
2:18:36
Too many workers building affordable housing in our city today barely even earn above $15 per hour and often receive no benefits as we've heard earlier.
2:18:45
That's wrong and must change.
2:18:47
The CJA will transform the lives of thousands of construction workers who were paid poverty wages and exploited, especially those who are formally incarcerated individuals, immigrants, and day laborers.
2:18:57
Indeed, this legislation will enable construction workers who are part of the working poor to become part of the middle class.
2:19:04
Across the five boroughs, New Yorkers who build affordable housing perform dangerous jobs under brutal conditions and often end up with long term health problems.
2:19:11
All of these workers should earn a wage and benefit package of at least $40 per hour for their vital work, and they should be able to live in the neighborhoods where they build affordable housing.
2:19:20
Earlier this year, we were part proud to play a lead role in negotiating affordable neighborhoods from New Yorkers, also called 485x, a New York state affordable housing tax abatement that includes a $40 per hour minimum wage package for all construction workers.
2:19:34
City government should take the same action now and enact the CJA to create a $40 per hour minimum wage package for all construction and workers who build city subsidized affordable housing.
2:19:45
Between the city and the state, there should be consistency on the $40 minimum wage package for affordable housing construction workers.
2:19:51
All construction workers building affordable housing in New York City whether the housing is subsidized by the city or the state should be earning this $40 per wage minimum wage package.
2:20:00
The CJA will help make that a reality and complement recent state action that created a $40 per hour minimum wage package for 485x.
2:20:07
It's time to end the unjust status quo in affordable housing construction.
2:20:11
It's time for the city council to pass the construction justice act.
2:20:14
Thank you.
