Laborers, lawmakers urge governor to sign Brownfield prevailing wage bill
Public money is being used to clean up toxic land in Westchester, so lawmakers say they want the workers doing the dangerous work to be paid fairly.
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Public money is being used to clean up toxic land in Westchester, so lawmakers say they want the workers doing the dangerous work to be paid fairly.
State Sen. Pete Harckham says Brownfield cleanup work is crucial for keeping communities updated and modern.
"Brownfield remediation is work involved to remove or close-off points of contamination, within a plot of land or property, so it can be used again without health risks," Harckham says.
Harckham says these projects are happening all around Westchester, including at a site on Croton Avenue in Ossining where affordable housing is being built.
While developers can benefit from these projects, laborer Sydney McCabe says the sites can be dangerous because of the hazardous materials that are involved.
"You need people who understand what they're working with, what they're working around, to keep themselves safe and to keep the people around them safe," McCabe says.
To protect workers and ensure fair pay, several state leaders are calling on the governor to sign a brownfield prevailing wage bill.
"The law will require prevailing wages for Brownfield remediation work on private contracts if the project is over $5 million and at least 30% of the funding comes from public sources," Harckham says.
Todd Diorio, from the Hudson Valley Building Trades Council, says the need bill is needed because brownfield work was left out of the last prevailing wage bill.
He says this creates a loophole that allows developers to cut corners and costs.
"There's workers coming from other states on these projects. They're undermining area wages and working conditions, so it's important that we get this passed," Diorio says.
The governor's administration did not respond to our inquiry.
However, Ed Cooke, from Carpenters Local 279, says the bill could also boost local economies as redevelopment projects continue in Westchester.
"For every dollar invested, a $1.50 comes back. So, 50 cents on a dollar is better than the stock market and protecting the community with a trained, professional workforce that lives here and spends their money here is a win," Cooke says.
For more information about the bill, click here. https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S5379
