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Why small union construction fi rms matter
Like anything else in our
city, Brooklyn’s construction
industry is always
changing. This has been particularly
noticeable on private
sector projects across the
outer boroughs, where many
developers and construction
managers are feeling greater
pressure with regard to project
costs.
These market pressures in
Brooklyn can create the temptation
for builders to cut corners
by working with a less
experienced team — but the
reality is that saving money
in this manner over the shortterm
can actually result in
more problems, greater risk,
and even higher costs.
These issues are not discussed
often enough because
elected offi cials and policymakers
typically focus more
on broader topics around
real-estate development and
neighborhood growth. However,
the operational choices
made by developers and construction
managers have serious
impacts on the local
workforce and on the quality
of new building stock not
only in Brooklyn but across
the city.
As the outer boroughs continue
to see a surge in development,
these new construction
challenges facing Brooklyn
Monday, March 25, 12PM-1PM:Join Workers United/SEIU (ILGWU) for the commemoration of the 108th
anniversary of the 1911TriangleFactory Fire, one of the pivotal events in US history and a turning
point in labor’s struggle to achieve fair wages, dignity at work and safe working conditions.
Caribbean L 44 ife, March 15–21, 2019 BQ
are an important reminder
of why small union subcontractors
have become an even
more important part of the
industry. Brooklynites know
that whoever is running the
construction site near their
home on a daily basis has an
important role to play in ensuring
the safety of the public
and passersby, as well as the
workers on that site.
This is one of the primary
reasons that my union construction
team at Exterior
Wall and Building Consultants
has made signifi cant
strides to expand our business
operations in Brooklyn over
the past year. It is also one of
the reasons why we were successful
in taking that step.
When I speak with those
who follow new development
in Brooklyn, I have actually
received some questions
about how a small union subcontractor
has been able to
make inroads in the borough
at a time when some builders
have felt such intense market
pressure regarding their
costs.
Exterior Wall and Building
Consultants focuses on
taking the wholistic approach
of a general contractor even
as we provide subcontracting
services for many of our
larger counterparts across
the industry. It’s vital to remember
that being a smaller
contractor shouldn’t just be
about delivering workers to a
site with their gear and calling
it a day.
To that end, our team
plays a direct role in installing
and maintaining onsite
protection, to keep job sites
and workers safe, and to also
protect the general public and
adjacent properties. By effectively
taking these opportunities
to interface more directly
with the broader teams
on larger projects, our union
team can have a bigger impact
on instilling a culture
of safety and creating a positive
atmosphere all across the
site.
What developers and construction
managers in Brooklyn
and across the city fi nd is
that this approach has real
positive impacts on quality of
work and managing costs and
risk. And our team believes
that trend must continue in
the outer boroughs, even as
it means going against the
grain of those who think
there’s nothing wrong with
cutting corners.
Brooklyn’s construction
industry may be changing,
but what hasn’t changed is
the need for the borough’s
worksites to be safe and wellmanaged
to ensure the best
for both workers and the public.
We look forward to seeing
more of this in 2019.
Matt Caruso is president
of Exterior Wall and Building
Consultants, a union construction
fi rm that is active on
projects across Brooklyn and
Manhattan.
OPINION
Matt Caruso
NYC WORKS
CELEBRATING LABOR IN THE BIG APPLE