Dozens of New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) tenant leaders are opposing an apprenticeship requirement for construction workers, charging it would freeze out black and Latino public housing residents from jobs on NYCHA projects, the New York Daily News reports.
A bill to require apprenticeships for workers on big construction sites was introduced in the City Council recently, part of a package to tighten safety regulations amid outrage over spiking construction deaths — from 17 in the city in 2011 to 25 in 2015.
The rules, which would apply to construction of buildings 10 stories high or 100,000 sq. ft., have sparked a battle between union and non-union construction firms.
About 50 tenant association officers from NYCHA complexes around the city backed the non-union side, saying in a letter that the mandate would mean a less diverse workforce.
Mayor Bill de Blasio has said he does not support a requirement for apprenticeships. “Everyone knows I prefer union labor and I’m a big fan of apprenticeship programs. I don’t think requirement works, practically speaking,” he said at an earlier press conference
However, de Blasio made somewhat different remarks during an appearance on the Brian Lehrer show.
“Construction workers are in danger right now. Apprenticeship programs are very powerful and a good idea. They will take years to put in place,” he said. “And we need to address the safety problem right now.”
