Joint statement on the choice of L&M and BFC as developers for the Seward Park Urban Renewal Area

By Hector Figueroa, president of 32BJ SEIU and Gary La Barbera, president of
Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York

“Although the overall plan for the redevelopment of Seward Park is promising, we have serious concerns about the labor records of the developers selected to implement. It is crucial that the jobs created by this project pay decent wages and offer job training that provides a career path and keeps workers safe. We urge this administration, the next administration and our elected officials to stand up for good jobs, high-road development and a level playing field for responsible employers. It’s bad for all New Yorkers that a developer that pays substandard wages was selected over three other experienced developers that have a proven track record of commitment to creating good jobs. This decision helps to create a race to the bottom at a time when we need to rebuild the middle class.”

The BCTC consists of local affiliates of 15 national and international unions representing 100,000 members in New York City.  

With 145,000 members, including 70,000 in the five boroughs, 32BJ SEIU is the largest property services union in the country.