Labor unions, nonprofits back NYC proposal requiring contractors to hire low-income workers

Labor unions and nonprofits signed on to a letter calling on the state Legislature to pass legislation allowing New York City to require contractors to hire people from low-income communities. 

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio proposed that state lawmakers take on the Community Hiring legislation in August, which would allow the city to create the requirements. The proposal would prioritize low-income residents and public housing residents for construction and building service jobs, as well as connect contractors to workforce development programs to find job candidates.

No one in the Assembly or state Senate has sponsored the legislation so far – however, about 130 organizations are calling for lawmakers to take up the proposal.

“This Community Hiring legislation would help drive economic recovery in low-income communities, which are predominantly communities of color, by ensuring residents have access to good jobs and apprentice opportunities,” the letter reads. 

Its signatories include the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York and 1199SEIU, as well as nonprofits such as the New York City Employment and Training Coalition, the HOPE Program and Union Settlement.

Jose Ortiz Jr., CEO of the New York City Employment and Training Coalition, said that he hoped the legislation would push forward a long-term goal of ensuring companies see people from low-income communities as a real source of talent. 

“The short-term outcome is just getting more people hired, using these requirements to ensure a set percentage is, not just considered, but actively hired on any new building, trades projects,” he said. “But beyond that, it’s really about making sure that you’re building stronger middle classes, of populations that are more diverse and representative of the communities that exist here in New York City.”