DeStefano Joins Colleagues, Union Members to Support PLA Legislation
Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) at a press conference in support of creating a statewide PLA for SUNY construction on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024.
Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) at a press conference in support of creating a statewide PLA for SUNY construction on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024.
Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) joined the Laborers and other Building Trades unions for a rally on the Million Dollar Staircase, advocating for bill A.5486 and good union jobs at SUNY. As a co-sponsor on the bill, DeStefano joined legislative colleagues in urging Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Legislature to endorse Project Labor Agreement (PLA) legislation for quality construction jobs at SUNY.
The bipartisan press conference was led by New York State Assembly and Senate members and union members from across the state including New York State Building & Construction Trades Council, Mason Tenders’ District Council of Greater New York, New York State Laborers, Laborers Local 66, District Council 9 Painters & Allied Trades, North Atlantic States Carpenters Union, Heat & Frost Insulators Local 12, Bricklayers Local 1, Tile, Marble & Terrazzo Local 7, SMART Local 28 and Steamfitters Local 638.
“I proudly stand with all of the laborers, carpenters, painters, insulators, bricklayers, steamfitters and many more. It’s time for SUNY to elevate its commitment to these workers, aligning with the dedication it demonstrates to its students. The implementation of a statewide PLA for construction projects at SUNY campuses is paramount to eradicating issues tied to out-of-state contractors,” DeStefano said.
“These are the skilled individuals constructing our suburbs and cities, and as representatives, we take pride in advocating for their right to quality union jobs, subsidized by the state. SUNY jobs should uphold the standards long fought for, recognizing that these experts contribute uniquely to our communities. A PLA not only ensures fair wages but also promotes safer job sites, timely project completion and superior work quality—vital components for the backbone of our economy. I support local jobs for local people and securing a future where labor not only builds our communities but also lives and thrives within the same communities. Anything less than a living wage is not the New York standard we endorse, and with unified statewide bipartisan support, we can deliver on these essential principles for our construction workers,” DeStefano concluded.