NYS Governor Kathy Hochul signed a package of bills to create good paying union jobs and strengthen protections for workers across the state. In the absence of a functional National Labor Relations Board under the Trump Administration, the package of bills also includes legislation that seeks to preserve worker rights here in New York. The Governor highlighted the bill signings ahead of New York City’s famous Labor Day Parade.
“Our union laborers are the lifeblood of New York, working tirelessly to continue to build and uplift this great state,” Governor Hochul said. “While the Trump Administration has failed to prioritize a strong National Labor Relations Board and is dismantling unions left and right, here in New York we are taking strong action to protect worker rights and sending a clear message that we will always have the backs of New York’s workers.”
The package of bills includes:
Legislation S.8034A/A8590A which authorizes the New York State Public Employment Relations Board to assert jurisdiction over disputes between employers and recognized employee organizations if the National Labor Relations Board is unable to successfully assert jurisdiction.
Legislation S.5254/A.6612 which protects public unions from a wage reduction due to their involvement in the investigation of a violation of a workplace violence protection program.
Legislation S.12/A.779 which amends the Civil Service Law to strengthen protections for public unions during times of suspensions and workforce layoffs
Legislation S.2457B/A3999B which establishes the Mechanical Insulation Energy Savings Program to provide grants for qualified mechanical insulation expenditures to school districts.
Legislation A.2730A requires contractors and subcontractors performing construction work for covered renewable energy systems to have apprenticeship agreements. This legislation also requires thermal energy networks to require contractors and subcontractors to have pre-apprenticeship direct entry providers registered with the New York State Department of Labor.
New York State Building Trades President Gary LaBarbera said, “We thank Governor Hochul for standing with the Labor movement today and signing this very important legislation. The Building Trades are proud to advocate for policies that will benefit the entire construction workforce and ensure more projects are creating pathways for individuals to earn a middle-class family sustaining job and career in a union trade. Both the Renewable Energy Apprenticeship and Mechanical Insulation Incentives legislation have been priorities for our members this year as they will produce more job opportunities throughout the industry, while providing a positive impact to New York’s economy that will help the State in lowering its carbon footprint. We applaud the Governor, Legislative leadership and the bill sponsors for their commitment and support for our unions and these respective policies.”
NY/NE Conference of Mechanical Insulators President Thomas LeCount and Financial Secretary John Jovic said, “We thank Governor Hochul for her leadership in signing legislation to implement the Mechanical Insulation Energy Savings Program. This new program will make public buildings more energy efficient across the State, while creating access to top tier apprenticeship programs and good paying jobs. We truly appreciate the commitment to Labor and hardworking New Yorkers that the Governor, Legislative Leadership and our sponsors have demonstrated in creating this program.”
