Committee on Public Works, Transportation, Labor and Parks
MINUTES: April 17, 2007
3:30 PM
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS, TRANSPORTATION, LABOR AND PARKS
MEMBERS: Chair: J. Alvarado; Legislators: B. Burton, V. Pinto, S. Swanson, K. Jenkins
LEGISLATORS: M. Kaplowitz
IN ATTENDANCE: CEO: B. Randolph; LAW: M. Nicholas-Brewster; GUESTS: P. Ryan, R. Bloomer, P. McVeigh, D. Cortez; BOL STAFF: B. Bochow, T. Bernard, C. Crane, N. Rentz, Leg. M. Kaplowitz
With a quorum present, the Committee on Public Works, Transportation, Labor & Parks was called to order at 3:34 p.m.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION:
APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING - PWTLP#178
Rick Bloomer, District Council 9 International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, voiced his support for the proposed legislation, stressing that it will provide greater safety for workers, lower insurance costs for projects, and provide opportunities for those seeking an alternative to a college career.
Paul Ryan, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers #3, voiced concern over the strict requirement for contractors to have an apprenticeship agreement. Mr. Ryan further stated that large numbers of these programs are failing, and that many apprenticeship students drop out after the first year of the program. He offered to provide such information to the Committee.
Pat McVeigh, Representative from Sheet Metal Workers #38, voiced support for the proposed legislation, as apprenticeship programs both cut down on accidents and costs. Additionally, the programs provide young adults with marketable skills to take with them wherever they may go.
Legislator Michael Kaplowitz asked that Commissioner Butler reach out to Nassau, Suffolk, Albany and Rockland Counties to see how their legislation is working and also acquire monitoring information from New York State Department of Labor.
Mary Lynn Nicolas-Brewster, Senior Assistant County Attorney, stated that while the primary contractor must have an apprenticeship agreement in place at the time of the contract award, the sub-contractors have an additional 60 days to submit their apprenticeship contracts for approval.
Committee members discuss the requirement that all contractors and approved subcontractors seeking to contract with the County have an apprenticeship agreement in place prior to the award of any construction contract in excess of $250,000.
Chair Alvarado asked the Committee to meet again on May 22nd to continue discussion on the Apprenticeship Training Program, after which, the Committee on Public Works, Transportation, Labor and Parks will meet jointly with the Committee on Legislation to discuss the proposed legislation.
On a motion by Legislator Burton, seconded by Legislator Pinto, the Committee on Public Works, Transportation, Labor, & Parks adjourned at 3:34 p.m.
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