New York, NY – Freedom Plaza, the bold $11.1 billion civic and cultural vision for Manhattan’s East Side, shared an overview of the project’s comprehensive housing and traffic plan during its first public hearing of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC).
The plan will feature 513 units of housing that Working Families can afford, nearly five acres of green space and 17,000 new jobs.
Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York President Gary LaBarbera said in a submitted statement: The Building and Construction Trades Council is pleased to see the process moving forward as it is a major step for New York’s Working Men and Women. Every casino that may come to fruition in New York will be built with Union Labor, ensuring as the new projects rise so too will the opportunity to travel the pathway to the Middle Class for hard-working Tradesmen and Tradeswomen. For that, we are thankful and look forward to these projects continuing to advance.
More than 2,000 individuals have already submitted comments to the CAC advocating for Freedom Plaza, joining the 10,000 Manhattan residents and 250 local small businesses who previously signed a petition supporting the proposal. More than 57% of voters in Midtown East are specifically in favor.
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 32BJ President Manny Pastreich said in a submitted statement: As the largest Union of Property Service Workers in the Nation, SEIU 32BJ is thrilled to support Freedom Plaza, a project that will create meaningful good jobs with labor standards that our Members have fought hard for. This development aligns with our efforts to improve the lives of Workers and ensure that New Yorkers have access to good-paying jobs.
International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 30 Business Manager & International Vice President William Lynn said in a submitted statement: IUOE Local 30 is always focused on ensuring that our Members have access to high-quality job opportunities that support their skills and expertise. We recognize the potential for significant employment in this project and appreciate the commitment to Union Labor. We look forward to seeing opportunities that will allow our Members to contribute to New York’s future while maintaining the high standards of our Trade.”
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 9 Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer Joseph Azzopardi said in a submitted statement: District Council 9 is proud to stand behind the Freedom Plaza project. With thousands of jobs for our Members and a commitment to community development, this project is exactly the kind of investment New York’s Working Families need. We’re looking forward to being a part of its success.
To Directly Access This Labor News Report, Go To: Freedom Plaza Receives Widespread Support from Labor – LaborPress
