Press Releases

PREVAILING WAGE IN THE SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY
Published on Thursday, April 1, 2021

Prevailing Wage in the Sustainable Economy

A Major Victory for Tradesmen and Tradeswomen of New York

A leading priority for the New York State Building & Construction Trades Council in the FY 2022 budget was ensuring important job standards on renewable energy projects – specifically ensuring a prevailing wage [link to the prevailing wage website page] to large-scale renewable energy projects.

We’re proud to say that, together, we got the job done. This is a major victory for all working-class New Yorkers, who will now become a key driver of economic growth in the green energy economy.

On behalf of the NYS Building & Construction Trades Council, THANK YOU to Governor Cuomo, Assembly Speaker Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Stewart Cousins for your leadership on this critical issue.

What does this mean?

CONSTRUCTION

• Prevailing wage for construction workers on renewable energy systems is now required on all large-scale renewable energy projects, which will shape the future of New York and our economy.

OPERATIONS AND SUPPLY CHAIN

Large-scale renewable energy projects are required to enter into a labor peace agreement with at least one labor organization seeking to represent employees involved in the necessary operations and maintenance services.

BUY AMERICAN

Large-scale renewable energy projects must comply with Buy American provisions for steel and iron products in the construction phase.

What are labor and environmental advocates saying?
“This is excellent news for New York,” said Gary LaBarbera, President of the New York State Building & Construction Trades Council. “This accomplishment reinforces that good middle-class careers with benefits must be – and now will be – central to our state’s sustainable economy. We’re grateful to Governor Cuomo, Assembly Speaker Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Stewart Cousins for their continued advocacy in support our working men and women, and we look forward to continuing to work with these exceptional leaders in creating good jobs and economic opportunity as we build towards the future.”