Union-friendly bill could slow affordable housing

[Omaha Steve]

Crowley. (William Alatriste/NYC Council)


http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/city-hall/2015/04/8566197/union-friendly-bill-could-slow-affordable-housing

By Ryan Hutchins 5:56 a.m. | Apr. 17, 2015

Legislation introduced in the City Council on Thursday would require a prevailing wage be paid on many construction projects that receive public benefits, potentially slowing affordable housing development across the boroughs.

Passage of the measure would hand labor unions and worker-rights advocates an enormous win. Many builders across the city would be forced to hire a union workforce, or at least meet the requirements set by the city comptroller’s office for prevailing wage.

“It’s a really good bill,” said Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, who introduced the legislation. “It’s going to go a long ways in making sure people working on construction sites make a fair wage.”

But such a law could also deliver a blow to developers of low-cost apartments and could prove troublesome to Mayor Bill de Blasio’s ambitious housing plan, which aims to produce 80,000 new affordable units within a decade.

FULL story at link.