Public testimony: Kyron Banks (32BJ) opposes project over labor agreement
Kyron Banks of 32BJ testifies in strong opposition, stating Phipps refuses to commit to a new development agreement ensuring prevailing wage standards for future employees. He argues affordable housing cannot be built by driving building service workers into poverty and urges a no vote.
April Hurley and Coran Banks.
And we've also been joined by Chair Kevin Riley.
You may begin.
Thank you.
Good afternoon, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
My name is Karan Banks, Deputy Political Director for 32BJ.
32BJ is a member-driven union representing 190,000 bills and service workers.
We want to ensure that landlords in the city and across the country act responsibly and respect the communities they depend on for their success.
And we are here today in strong opposition to the proposed rezoning.
We have a long history of working alongside market rate and affordable developers across the city to promote responsible development that upholds labor standards.
We've been working with FIPS to try and get a new development agreement on the Sojourner Truth Mace for Zoning.
The union has not been able to get that agreement on this rezoning, and without said agreement, we cannot support this project in good faith.
FIP still refuses to commit to a framework to ensure basic fairness to the building employees at work sites now and in future to uphold prevailing wage standards for future employees.
We recognize the urgency of the housing crisis and the need for affordable housing.
We have been a leader in finding solutions to create the desperately needed housing in every neighborhood, but we've also been extremely clear.
The solution to creating affordable housing can
and not be driving building service workers and security officers into poverty.
This is the last opportunity for this project to be approved following the labor standards these future workers deserve.
FITSEP has not addressed our concerns, and therefore we urge the subcommittee to vote no on this project.
And with the last 30 seconds, I think it's very interesting that Mr.
Washington have brought up in his remarks that the intent is to keep those workers 32BJ, but then also mention bully tactics.
We resent that.
We cannot build affordable housing without labor standards.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.