February 28, 2006

RYAN PROPOSES NEW LABOR POLICY FOR THE WESTCHESTER INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

County Legislator Bill Ryan (D-I-WF, White Plains), Chairman of the Board of Legislators, wants Westchester’s Industrial Development Agency (WCIDA) to require companies receiving its incentives to use organized labor during construction, give preferential consideration to County and/or New York State workers and pay all workers prevailing wages.

“Currently there are no workforce requirements on companies receiving economic incentives from the Westchester IDA,” Ryan said. “I believe that companies the Agency assists should pay prevailing wages. In addition,when possible, these companies should utilize union workers or, at the very least, employ New York State workers, preferably from Westchester or the immediate mid-Hudson region.”

“Construction jobs, although limited in duration, are vital to the overall employment opportunities within the County of Westchester since construction wages earned by local residents are reinvested in the local economy, adding greatly to its vitality,” Ryan explained.

Ryan has sent a letter to WCIDA Chairman Vincent Rippa stating his views, along with a draft labor policy that incorporates them. He noted that since Westchester taxpayers ultimately foot the bill for WCIDA incentives “the results should benefit County and State residents.”
“WCIDA incentives can amount to millions of dollars,” Ryan said. “We need to ensure that Westchester taxpayers get the maximum return on their investment.”

Ryan noted that absent a labor policy, companies can employ out of state workers at less than prevailing wages. “That defeats part of the reason why the agency exists in the first place,” he said. “Why should Westchester taxpayers help pay the wages of a laborer from Connecticut or New Jersey when there are qualified residents trying to raise their families in Westchester available to do the same job? Our County has a tremendously skilled trade labor force that we should draw on as much as possible.”

Ryan said he has asked Rippa to meet with him and discuss his proposed labor policy. “Westchester’s IDA has amassed an impressive record of accomplishments,” Ryan said. “I look forward to working with its leaders to enhance and expand that record and to provide new mechanisms by which the benefits of IDA incentives can flow to even more segments of our local communities.”

Proposed Labor Policy