Fair Wages Built Westchester
Let’s Keep It That Way
Westchester County didn’t build itself. Generations of union labor did—brick by brick, beam by beam. They’ve paved our roads, raised our train stations, and constructed the the bridges that connect our communities. Union labor hasn’t held Westchester back—it’s powered its growth, made it safer, and built it to last.
As leaders of a Hudson Valley–based business coalition and a regional laborers’ union, we come to this issue with different perspectives but a common purpose: building a stronger Westchester. One of us represents hundreds of employers working to invest, grow, and hire in the region. The other represents the skilled men and women who bring those projects to life—safely, efficiently, and with pride. Together, we understand that long-term economic success depends on a balanced partnership between business and labor, grounded in fairness and shared responsibility.
We believe that the workers building our future—especially on projects backed by significant taxpayer dollars—earn a fair wage. When public money supports private development, the public deserves more than just promises. It deserves real returns: quality construction, middle-class careers, and local economic strength.
That’s exactly what A6708/S6378 would deliver. This legislation would update New York’s Labor Law to require prevailing wages on private construction projects that receive at least 20 percent public funding. It would also eliminate the ineffective Public Subsidy Board, which has too often failed to protect taxpayer interests.
Critics like the Business Council of Westchester claim this bill is “anti-business.” They warn it could stall development, citing concerns about Westchester’s tight housing market. But we share those concerns—and we reject the false choice between fair wages and more housing. We can, and must, have both.
Let’s be clear: paying prevailing wages doesn’t break project budgets. Labor represents just 25 percent of total construction costs , meaning fair pay has only a modest effect on overall expenses. Yet the benefits are far-reaching. Workers who are paid fairly don’t just build—they buy homes, shop locally, and support small businesses. Every dollar in prevailing wage earnings returns approximately $1.50 to the local economy . These are dollars spent at neighborhood stores, invested in schools, and returned to public coffers through taxes.
On the other hand, when workers are underpaid, it’s taxpayers who pick up the tab. In states without prevailing wage laws, construction workers are nearly 40 percent more likely to rely on public assistance. And without clear wage standards, these projects are far more vulnerable to wage theft—where workers are paid in cash, denied overtime, or even paid below the minimum wage. Too often, this exploitation targets those least able to protect themselves, including immigrant and low-income laborers. It robs workers of their dignity and earnings, and it robs communities of tax revenue and economic stability. That’s not economic development—it’s exploitation disguised as savings.
Public funds should not be a vehicle for low-wage labor. Businesses should not be profiting off the backs of workers and the taxpayers who unknowingly subsidize their payrolls. If a project is receiving substantial public support, then the people footing the bill—the residents of Westchester—deserve to see quality outcomes, fair employment, and economic return.
This bill isn’t radical — it’s a responsible modification to ensure working people aren’t priced out of the very communities they helped construct. It ensures that growth in Westchester is built on fairness and quality, not on cutting corners or cutting wages.
We’ve seen firsthand what happens when labor and business work together. That partnership has been the foundation of Westchester’s success. But real partnership requires a level playing field—and that starts with fair pay.
Lawmakers have a clear choice: invest in a stronger, more equitable future—or allow public money to subsidize a race to the bottom. We urge them to pass A6708/S6378 and stand with the workers and businesses that make Westchester thrive.
Sincerely,
Todd Diorio President of Hudson Valley Building Trades Council and Chairman of NYS Laborers PAC
John Cooney Jr Executive Director the Construction Industry Council of Westchester and Hudson Valley Inc.
Published: June 5, 2025