OPED: by Clark Pena Construction industry’s shift to open shop
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, F BTR EBRUARY 1-7, 2019 69
From page 12
Stakeholders across the borough
know all too well that, historically,
the biggest obstacles to local hiring on
construction projects have involved
barriers to entering the construction
industry.
For example, a real estate developer
or city offi cials could begin a
new development and claim there will
be opportunities for construction jobs
for Bronx residents. But once those
residents apply, they may be told that
they are simply not qualifi ed for any
of those construction jobs because
they are not in a union and, as such,
do not have the proper apprenticeship
credits or training to even be considered.
For years, there were few answers
to this problem other than to simply
wait for the next project or attempt
to get the relevant training or union
accreditation, both of which can be
costly and extremely diffi cult to come
by. The result was that many construction
sites in the Bronx haven’t
refl ected the borough’s diversity and
were often populated by workers from
Connecticut, New Jersey or the suburbs
in Long Island or Westchester.
But the shift to open shop in today’s
construction industry means
that more developers and contractors
are no longer relying on the union
model and are instead working with
safe, quality subcontractors who are
focused on opening up the industry
to those who have been left behind by
the union trades and their apprenticeship
requirements.
The result now is that the open
shop has provided for a much more
diverse and locally based workforce.
Three out of four workers at open
shop construction sites in New York
City are of minority backgrounds and
actually live in urban neighborhoods,
which are much more aligned with
the diversity of the Bronx.
The growth of this new construction
model has also meant more support
for the workers who are building
projects in the Bronx and across
the city. New safety and skills training
programs are making it possible
for more men and women of all backgrounds
to enter the industry. Notably,
open shop workers are making a living
wage of at least $20 per hour, even
on entry-level jobs, and those workers
are also gaining access to 401k packages
and health care programs that
help them more in the long run.
The challenge now is that not
enough elected offi cials and community
leaders in the Bronx are talking
about the open shop and providing
more resources to ensure it can
expand and create more opportunities
for local residents. That will only
change if we raise our voices on this
issue. We look forward to making this
a priority for the borough in 2019 and
we are excited for what the future
holds.
.......AS STATED
As Stated offers a wide array of interesting
commentary from our elected
political leaders this week. Feel free to
share your thoughts about their views
with Bronx Times residents.
Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson
said the following after the state legilatures
passed the Dream Act....“It is a
proud day for my colleagues in the New
York state Senate and the New York
state Assembly. For years, both houses
have debated the merits and urgency in
allowing undocumented youth access
to tuition assistance programs in order
to attend college in New York State.
These debates have unfortunately triggered
very exclusionary and hostile
sentiments towards New Yorkers who
deserve the same educational opportunities
as their documented peers.
The DREAM Act would allow undocumented
immigrants who’ve attended
high school for at least two years in
New York, and graduated or obtained
an equivalency diploma, access to TAP
and the Excelsior Scholarship. This Act
would also establish the DREAM fund,
which would raise private donations
to provide scholarships to children of
immigrants....I look forward to seeing
Gov. Coumo sign this bill into law.”
Statement from Borough President
Ruben Diaz regarding the Jose Peralta
Dream Act....“I want to thank the New
York State Legislature for passing the
New York DREAM Act today, an important
bill that protects the rights of
our immigrant population in New York
State.
“The New York DREAM Act is
named after a great friend and colleague
of mine, the late New York State
Senator Jose Peralta. Senator Peralta
was a vocal advocate of protecting the
rights of immigrants throughout the
state, and this legislation will ensure
that undocumented immigrants are
able to attain quality higher-learning
education including access to the Excelsior
Scholarship, TAP and other tuition
assistance programs available to those
without lawful immigration status who
attended a high school for at least two
years. We are a nation built on the hard
work of immigrants, and thanks to the
Jose Peralta DREAM Act our immigrant
communities will remain a vital
part of New York State.”
Councilman Andy King regarding
Memorandum of Understanding between
Amtrak and state agencies....“I applaud
the announced memorandum of
understanding between Amtrak, Empire
State Development and the Metropolitan
Transportation Authority that
will enable negotiations to get our new
Metro North Stations projects back on
track. After all the letters, conversations,
press conferences and rallies on
this matter, I want to thank all our local
residents and leaders who voiced their
concerns loud and clear about getting
this show on the road. I mean, train on
the tracks.”
Assemblyman Victor M. Pichardo
expresses condolences on the passing of
Luis Garden Acosta, founder of Brooklyn
based organization, El Puente.....“I
met Luis years ago when I was staffer
for Senator Charles Schumer. He was
one of the fi rst people who took an interest
in me politically and helped me
understand the lay of the land. He was
a man who was committed to lifting
young Latinos and putting them in positions
of authority. My thoughts and
prayers are with him and his family.
May he rest in peace.”