PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Juan Nunez, Organizer from Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition on the Construction Justice Act
2:39:23
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76 sec
Juan Nunez, an organizer with the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, testifies in support of the Construction Justice Act. He emphasizes the need for equitable development in the Bronx, focusing on affordable housing and high-quality jobs with living wages and benefits.
- The Act would attach a wage and benefit standard of $40 per hour to mitigate worker exploitation.
- Nunez argues that the Act has the potential to transform the lives of Bronx workers, including those who were formerly incarcerated.
- He highlights that many affordable housing units in the neighborhood are not actually affordable for local residents, and providing living wages would allow workers to afford to live in the borough they are helping to build.
Juan Nunez
2:39:23
Good afternoon, everybody.
2:39:25
Good afternoon, everybody.
2:39:26
My name is Juan Nunez.
2:39:27
I am an organizer with the Northland Farms Community Career Coalition, and I'm testifying today on behalf in support of the construction justice act.
2:39:36
The Norfolk branch where a fifty year old member led organization that is focused on advancing racial justice and economic democracy.
2:39:45
We support the act because we need equitable development in the Bronx and beyond.
2:39:49
This means that affordable housing being built in the Bronx should be accessible to existing residents and should create high role jobs with living, wage, and benefits.
2:39:58
Our public dollars subsidizing these projects to support the workers to access jobs with dignity and take care of the families.
2:40:06
The Construction Justice Act will attach a wage and benefit standard of $40 per hour.
2:40:12
These standards will mitigate the routine exploitation of workers, including those who are formally incarcerated, I have the potential to transform the lives of Bronx workers.
2:40:20
I strongly urge city council to pass the construction justice act.
2:40:24
There's so many affordable housing units going on in our neighborhood, and none of our people could afford, none of us could apply to.
2:40:30
And providing food to living wage would allow for them to not just work, but I actually afford to live in the borough that we're helping build.
2:40:38
Thank you for your time.
