As the Related Companies, one of the city's most powerful developers, moves further through the city's land review process for its planned shopping mall at the Kingsbridge Armory, more labor groups are calling for them to sign a binding community benefits agreement that would include living wage job guarantees and union protections.
Earlier today, the New York City Central Labor Council, which represents 1.3 million workers from more than 400 local unions, approved a resolution urging the City Council to reject Related's Armory mall proposal unless a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) is signed before the Council votes on the project, which will be within the next two months. The benefits agreement, they said, should include living and prevailing wage jobs ($10, plus benefits), unions protections and other community benefits.
Jack Ahern, the president of the labor council, said a strong benefits agreement with living wage jobs included would "allow workers a chance to provide for their families and to build a better life."
The Council joined the Retail, Warehouse and Department Store union (RWDSU) and the Building Construction Trades Council in calling for a strong benefits agreement.
On Monday, the City Planning Commission approved of Related's plan without a benefits agreement in place by a vote of 8-4. The representative of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., as well as representatives of the Manhattan and Brooklyn borough presidents and public advocate Betsey Gottbaum, voted against the project because it lacked a binding benefits agreement that included living wage requirements.
Related has said living wage requirements would make the project unprofitable and wouldn't be fair to tenants moving into the renovated Armory.
The Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance, which has pushed for living wages at the Armory for the last two years, is holding a rally in support of living wages and responsible development at the Armory on Sunday afternoon at St. Nicholas Tolentine Church at 3 p.m. (2345 University Ave., right on the corner of Fordham Road and University) and is inviting everyone in the community to attend.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
More Labor Groups Joining Fight for Benefits Agreement, Living Wage at Armory; Rally Planned for Sunday, Oct. 25
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It is so unfair to have workers be able to shop in the stores that they are building or in which they are employed. How terrible for the stock holders and private owners to have less profit--how will they be able to live?
ReplyDeleteThis is a paradgm that has to change, people. Everyone should be at the rally on Sunday.