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TESTIMONY

Testimony by Robert Tiburzi, Member from Construction and General Building Laborers Local 79 on labor standards in housing development

1:51:37

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95 sec

Robert Tiburzi from Laborers Local 79 calls on the commission to include strong labor standards, specifically a $40/hour minimum compensation package and local hire provisions, in any proposed charter changes related to housing and land use. He argues that addressing the housing crisis must also address the low-wage crisis for construction workers.

Tiburzi represents Construction and General Building Laborers Local 79.
He links the housing crisis to low wages in the construction industry.
He advocates coupling any expedited review process for affordable housing with city subsidies requiring strong labor standards.
He references the proposed 'Construction Justice Act' in the City Council as a model for wage and local hire standards.

Robert Tiburzi

1:51:37

Good evening.

1:51:38

My name is Robert Taberzi.

1:51:40

I'm a Brooklyn resident and a proud member of construction and general building laborers local seventy nine.

1:51:45

Our union is the largest construction laborers local in The United States with over 10,000 members, the majority of whom live in the five boroughs.

1:51:54

Labors local seventy nine calls on the New York City Charter Revision Commission to include strong labor standards when proposing changes to our city's housing and land use policies.

1:52:06

Economic development will only succeed if it invests in the workers that build our city.

1:52:11

We must not forget that the housing crisis we face is also a low wage crisis.

1:52:16

We can fast track the building of a four wheel housing, but only if the fast track is coupled with city subsidies, which require a $40 per hour minimum compensation package for construction workers with strong local hire provisions.

1:52:30

A bill before the city council that includes these standards could pair with an expedited review process for affordable housing to make sure that all New Yorkers are served by the charter reform process.

1:52:41

Over 40 New York City council members have already signed on as cosponsors of this build called the Construction Justice Act.

1:52:49

This bill sets a just $40 wage and benefit standard on city finance affordable house housing projects and also includes strong local hiring provisions for communities most in need.

1:53:00

We have an opportunity to build more housing and faster while ensuring that our communities get family sustaining jobs.

1:53:06

As we consider charter reform, let's make sure that a just wage and community hiring is part of every proposal.

1:53:12

Thank you.

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Testimony by Alicia Boyd, Political activist on gentrification, displacement, and affordability for low-income residents