Building trade group throws support behind Kingsbridge Armory

Organized labor’s effort to secure a living wage for all workers at the soon-to-be redeveloped Kingsbridge Armory fell apart today, when the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York pledged its support of the redevelopment. The group, an umbrella organization that represents over 100,000 construction workers, said it supports the project in part because of the developer’s past commitment to using unionized labor, Crain’s reported. “[Related Companies] consistently uses contractors on its projects throughout New York City that pay prevailing wages — good wages that include health insurance and pension benefits — to members of unions affiliated with the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York,” Gary LaBarbera, president of the council, said. Still, Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union, contends that Related cannot be counted upon to provide wages that benefit the community. “We call on the City Council to do what the Bronx borough president has done — reject Related’s development plans unless they sign a binding community benefits agreement that meets the needs of the community,” Appelbaum said.