Justice Favor (Local 79) on Construction Justice Act and labor broker exploitation
Favor describes how the Construction Justice Act is already working with responsible developers paying $40/hour, but some developers use labor brokers paying poverty wages on subsidized projects. He specifically names Marin Workforce/Apex Labor Solution working on Hudson Companies projects, noting some workers live in shelter while building affordable housing.
Good afternoon, Chair and committee members.
My name is Justice Faven.
I'm a field representative of the Mason Tenders District Council.
I started as a construction laborer, and I was born and raised in public housing.
I'm proof that a fair wage and a benefit package and construction can transform your life and the lives of others around you.
Like it did for me and my family.
I'm here to make sure our city has construction justice so that our communities have access to family-sustaining wages and affordable housing.
New York City residential construction industry can provide good wages and benefits while continuing to build the housing our city urgently needs.
We are proud and excited that the Construction Justice Act passed by the City Council and is a key part of the Mayor's Housing Plan.
Local 79 members are already building residential and affordable housing with responsible developers and contractors that pay workers at or above $40 an hour wage and benefit standard.
These projects move forward.
Housing gets built and developers remain successful.
At the same time, workers receive training, health care, retirement security, and wages that allow them to support their families.
The problem is not that the industry cannot afford better jobs.
The problem is that some developers choose a low-road business model.
Our community are being harmed by some bad actors in the affordable housing industry who take up government subsidies and pay construction workers poverty.
wages.
They use labor brokers that recruit vulnerable workers, including immigrants, formerly incarcerated people, and economically disadvantaged New Yorkers, pay them near minimum wage without meaningful benefits or job security.
These labor brokers help insulate developers and general contractors from responsibility for the working conditions on their projects when workers report unsafe condition, retaliation, or wage violation.
Workers are currently organizing and speaking out about a labor broker called Maron Workforce slash Apex Labor Solution, working on subsidized residential projects, including multiple projects.
May I finish?
Multiple projects developed by Hudson Companies, one of the largest affordable housing developers.
Multiple workers have told me they are living in a shelter while working for Marin, so these laborers that build affordable housing can't afford to live in their building.
That's unacceptable.
That is unfair to workers and disadvantaged responsible developers and contractors who are already doing the right thing.
The city should not allow companies that exploit workers to undercut those that provide safety, family safety.
Family sustained careers, especially on projects receiving public subsidies, tax benefits and tax benefits.
I'll end with this.
The responsible model already exists.
We need the city to help make it a standard across the residential construction industry.