Workers protest outsourcing of New York jobs

Union Workers protest outsourcing of New York jobs.

By DANIELLE SANZONE, For The Saratogian

 

 

ALBANY — Row after row of orange-shirted union workers lined the steps of the Capitol Tuesday to protest using taxpayer money to hire out-of-state labor at substandard wages.

“Construction projects in New York that are funded with public monies should employ New York workers,” said state Building and Construction Trades Council President Ed Malloy. “That’s a simple proposition that is fair and good for the state economy.”

Tuesday’s rally of several hundred union members from around the state was organized in support of a piece of legislation that would clarify the definition of public works projects and ensure a standard of wages on those projects.

“A clear definition of public works will help level the playing field so that contractors who bid on government-financed construction projects are not allowed to undermine local wage rates in an attempt to win the bid,” Malloy added.

In the Capital District, unions want to make sure the government money given for the Advanced Micro Devices, now known as Global Foundries, project in Saratoga County will be used to hire local workers.

“This legislation will keep the standard of living high and support all our causes,” said Matt LoPresti, assistant business manager with the Boilmakers Local 5, which will likely work on a portion of the construction project.

When it was still known as AMD, the company received about $1.2 billion in state funding to construct a new facility in Malta and Stillwater.

“It’s not guaranteed that AMD will use local workers,” continued LoPresti. “We just want a fair deal.”

Busloads of union brethren journeyed from areas like New York City to wave hundreds of signs stating “Public Money = Public Work” and “Local Jobs for Local People.”

 

For pictures of this event, courtesy of Prairie Wells from the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, please click here