A STATE

THAT
WORKS
32BJ’s Plan for Good Jobs and a Strong Economy
 INTRODUCTION

A STATE THAT WORKS

Stagnating wages, an ever-growing gap between the very rich and
everybody else, and a workforce struggling to meet basic family needs
are holding our state’s economy back. And too often, efforts to stimulate
our economy are focused on top-down strategies that just do not work.
New York needs a new multi-faceted approach that replaces failing job

A STATE
creation efforts and an overreliance on Wall Street with a comprehensive
plan to invest state resources strategically in New York’s people, businesses
and communities. It must begin with job creation that puts financial

THAT WORKS Good Jobs, resources into the hands of workers, stimulating the economy from the
bottom up.

Strong Economy New York State’s elected officials and policymakers must take this
opportunity to advance a new set of priorities based on fostering the type
of economic growth that meets the needs of New Yorkers statewide. This
paper presents 32BJ’s policy agenda in the hopes of moving a new set of
priorities—and a series of policies—forward thoughtfully and swiftly.

Good Jobs, Strong Economy | 3

 1
CREATE AND SUPPORT
GOOD JOBS
Leverage New York State’s spending
power to promote economic development

CHALLENGE
The state’s current approach to economic development is haphazard,
expensive and ineffective. Economic development programs have not
sustained long-term growth across the state, nor have they been adequately
targeted to support those employers and industries that can create jobs that
lift workers out of poverty and into the middle class.

STATE SUBSIDIES MUST CREATE GOOD JOBS Joseph Temple

SOLUTION “I have traveled all over in order to work. Millwrights work in power plants and oil apprenticed for
The state must reassess its economic development agenda and how it refineries and on big construction sites. When there’s union work, it pays well and five years to become
awards financial incentives to businesses. More immediately: I get health insurance, pension and other benefits. a millwright, a highly
skilled trade required
UÊÊ/…iÊi}ˆÃ>ÌÕÀiÊŜՏ`Ê«>ÃÃÊ>˜`Ê̅iÊ}œÛiÀ˜œÀÊŜՏ`ÊÈ}˜Ê˜`ÕÃÌÀˆ>Ê in the construction
“When I heard that CVS was building a huge distribution center about 10 miles
Development Agency (IDA) reform. from here on I-86, I thought I’d get good work there, building the conveyors and of industrial
racks, setting up the robotics. But it turned out that the contractor was nonunion machinery and
UÊÊ/…iÊÃÌ>ÌiÊŜՏ`Ê>ÌÌ>V…ʍœLÊÃÌ>˜`>À`ÃÊ̜ʫÀœ}À>“ÃÊv՘`i`ÊLÞÊ̅iÊ
from North Carolina, even though I know that CVS got tax breaks from New York precision mechanics.
Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) and to state-financed
State and IDA money. He and his wife are
affordable housing.
expecting their first
UÊÊ/…iÊÃÌ>ÌiÊŜՏ`ÊLiÊ>ʏi>`iÀʈ˜Ê̅iÊVÀi>̈œ˜ÊœvÊ}Àii˜ÊVœ>ÀʍœLÃÊLÞÊ “When I worked on the site, they provided none of the necessary safety equipment. child in December,
I had to supply my own helmet, safety harness, safety glasses, welding gloves and but there’s no work
investing in training for workers to improve energy efficient building
welding leather. And only a few of the 40-50 workers on the site were from nearby. near their home in
operations and maintenance practices. The rest were brought in from out of state. Lockwood, N.Y.

“This is where I was born and raised myself. My wife is a nurse. She’s making the
mortgage payments now, about $1,000 a month. But we’re expecting our first child
in December—and there’s no work near here that will support my family. That
doesn’t seem right.”

-Joseph Temple
For a detailed description of 32BJ’s legislative and policy goals regarding
economic development, see page 12.

4 | A State That Works Good Jobs, Strong Economy | 5

 2
USE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
TO RAISE STANDARDS
Ensure that procurement promotes
responsible state contracting

CHALLENGE
New York State spends billions of dollars each year on contracted services
without requiring vendors to meet basic standards. Many contractors,
in fact, pay their employees poverty-level wages and provide neither
health insurance nor other benefits. As a result, many contracted workers
and their families are dependent on the state for health care, housing
subsidies and other work-support programs. The procurement system
lacks transparency, making it impossible for the state to hold irresponsible
PUBLIC MONEY, POVERTY JOBS Fernando Cruz is a
contractors accountable. “It’s really hard to make ends meet on $8.50 an hour. I have two kids, 5 and 2, and contracted cleaner
my wife works too. But the math doesn’t always add up. Every month we have to working at a Con
decide what bills to pay. We can’t pay them all each month. We have to make hard Edison facility in
SOLUTION choices about what to buy at the grocery store. I pay Con Ed part of my pay back for Manhattan. Although
The state can increase the number of good jobs in New York: my electricity bill; it comes to about $80 a month. he works full-time,
his family qualifies
UÊÊ/…iÊÃÌ>ÌiÊŜՏ`ÊiÃÌ>LˆÃ…ÊÀi뜘ÈLiÊVœ˜ÌÀ>V̈˜}ÊÃÌ>˜`>À`Ã°Ê “My family needs public assistance to survive. My children and I have Medicaid. for Medicaid, food
We also get food stamps, even though I work full-time. stamps and Head
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Start.
procurement practices. “We need better pay. That’s why we’re organizing with the union. In order to make
progress, to win decent raises, we have handed out fliers, we’ve had marches and
UÊÊ/…iÊÃÌ>ÌiʓÕÃÌÊ>ÃœÊÀivœÀ“ʺ«ÀiviÀÀi`ÊÜÕÀVi»ÊVœ˜ÌÀ>VÌÃÊ̜Êi˜ÃÕÀiÊ̅>ÌÊ
rallies, we’ve talked to politicians and gone to an annual investors’ meeting with
employers obey all laws and respect disabled workers’ rights.
a priest. We’ve been in the newspaper, The Daily News and El Diario. And nothing
UÊÊ
˜`ʏi}ˆÃ>̜ÀÃʘii`Ê̜ÊwÝÊ iÜÊ9œÀŽÊ-Ì>Ìi½ÃÊ-iV̈œ˜ÊÓÎäÊLՈ`ˆ˜}Ê happened. It made no difference.
service prevailing wage law to include additional work performed
“Now we need a new plan—a new law that would make Con Ed hire contractors that
under contract, such as food service and work done at public utilities.
pay just salaries. Changing the law is our last recourse.

“It’s hard to live in New York, but I want my kids to grow up here. There are chances
for them to have a better life.”

For a detailed description of 32BJ’s legislative and policy goals regarding -Fernando Cruz
public procurement, see page 13.

6 | A State That Works Good Jobs, Strong Economy | 7

 3
FAIR TAXES, GOOD JOBS
Ensure an equitable tax system
that supports the creation of
affordable and market-rate housing

CHALLENGE
The state is in the midst of a financial crisis, with record-high projected
deficits. During difficult budget times, keeping the same old tax policies on
the books without reassessing their effectiveness is a missed opportunity
to bring in much-needed revenue.

SOLUTION
GOING GREEN BENEFITS ALL Loretta Zuk, the
The state should determine whether tax policies, abatements and incentives “The green courses at 32BJ’s labor-management training fund have enabled me superintendent of a
are encouraging the growth of good jobs and housing. Proposals that to come up with new ideas to make my building more efficient, safer and more Columbia University
change the levels of exemptions could generate needed revenue for New comfortable for tenants. Now I’m not just making repairs, I’m making improvements. apartment building,
York State, especially in tough financial times when everyone should share has earned
the burden. “The work I do—operations and maintenance—is key to running an energy-efficient certification in
building. It’s the little things that add up and have the greatest effect. We’ve always efficient building
been diligent about recycling. We’ve sealed air leaks around the windows and doors operations through
to cut down on heat loss, which saves oil. We have timers and sensors on the lights the “1 Year: 1,000
outside and we’re using compact fluorescent lights in the hallways. Green Supers”
program, run
“Water saving is my pet project. It’s something I can control. I don’t need a special by the 32BJ
budget for it. We fixed leaks and installed water-saving toilets, aerators on the faucets labor-management
and showerheads that use less water. training fund.
“With greening, my
“We’re moving toward further changes: green cleaning products, lighter heating oil building runs more
and safer, less toxic paint. efficiently,” says Zuk.
.
“This program really
“This is my career. It’s not just a job. The work is very rewarding. Tenants appreciate
shows our shared
living in a building where we’re making every effort to save energy and precious
interest—supers,
resources.”
owners and the
-Loretta Zuk
For a detailed description of 32BJ’s legislative and policy goals regarding union.”
tax policy, see page 13.

8 | A State That Works Good Jobs, Strong Economy | 9

 4
BRING WORKING NEW YORKERS
OUT OF POVERTY
Set higher standards for low-wage industries
and strengthen worker supports

CHALLENGE
The most recent economic recession has taken a toll not only on the state’s
bottom line, but also on the millions of working families that struggle to
pay their bills and send their children to school each day.

SOLUTION
The state can help low-income workers by getting greater numbers of New
TRAINING MATTERS Terrence Kelsor is a
Yorkers back to work in jobs that enable them to support their families and “I am stationed on the platform of different stations in the PATH system—the World contracted security
by providing critical supports to those still out of work: Trade Center, Christopher Street, Hoboken. I’m looking out for the safety of everyone officer protecting
and the property. There are so many people in the system that I have to have a great the PATH, the train
UÊÊ/…iÊ}œÛiÀ˜œÀÊ>˜`ʏi}ˆÃ>̜ÀÃÊŜՏ`ÊÃiÌʅˆ}…iÀÊÃÌ>˜`>À`Ãʈ˜ÊœÜ‡Ü>}iÊ
sense of alertness and awareness about me all the time. It can be tense at times. system run by the
industries, such as security. Port Authority of
UÊÊ/œÊLÀˆ˜}ʅi>Ì…ÊV>ÀiÊ̜Ê̅œÃiÊ܅œÊÀi“>ˆ˜Ê՘ˆ˜ÃÕÀi`]Ê̅iÊÃÌ>ÌiÊŜՏ`Ê º½ÛiÊLii˜ÊܜÀŽˆ˜}ʈ˜ÊÃiVÕÀˆÌÞÊȘViÊ£™n{°Ê>ÃÌÊÞi>À]Ê܅i˜ÊÊÃÌ>ÀÌi`Ê>ÌÊ̅ˆÃʍœL]ÊÊ New York and New
went to a five-day training course at the union building. It included what we would Jersey. In February
leverage employer-based coverage.
experience on the platform. We were trained about how to conduct ourselves. 2009, as a train
UÊÊ/…iÊÃÌ>ÌiÊ>ÃœÊŜՏ`ʓœÛiʵՈVŽÞÊ̜ÊÀivœÀ“Ê̅iÊ՘i“«œÞ“i˜ÌÊ was roaring into
insurance system by increasing payments to workers and ensuring “In mass transit, people see us as their eyes. If something goes wrong, they look to us. the Christopher
that the program is fully funded. We have to know how to respond, and respond quickly. I look at everything. It’s like St. station, Kelsor
driving a car—you have to be alert and aware, scanning the environment all the time. rescued a man who
UÊÊ/…iÊÃÌ>ÌiÊŜՏ`ÊÃÕ««œÀÌÊ«>ˆ`Êv>“ˆÞʏi>Ûiʏi}ˆÃ>̈œ˜ÊÜÊ̅>ÌÊܜÀŽiÀÃÊ If I am suspicious about something, I watch it. You never know when something is had fallen onto the
can care for loved ones without the risk of losing their jobs. going to happen. tracks. “I had 10
seconds,” he recalls.
“I feel my responsibility very deeply because so many people are counting on me to “There was no time
keep them safe.”
to call for help.”

-Terrence Kelsor

For a detailed description of 32BJ’s legislative and policy goals regarding

worker protections, see page 14.

10 | A State That Works Good Jobs, Strong Economy | 11

 32BJ’s NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATIVE
AND ADMINISTRATIVE AGENDA
1 LEVERAGE NEW YORK STATE’S SPENDING POWER
TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Pass Industrial Development Agency reform. This legislation will provide
needed transparency, accountability and wage standards to New York’s Industrial
Development Agencies. In 2008, for example, Industrial Development Agencies
spent over half a billion taxpayer dollars on businesses that either failed to create
new jobs or actually cut jobs.
Assess the state’s current economic development programs. The governor and
i}ˆÃ>ÌÕÀiÊŜՏ`Ê՘`iÀÌ>ŽiÊ>ÊVœ“«Ài…i˜ÃˆÛiÊiÛ>Õ>̈œ˜ÊœvÊ>ÊœvÊ iÜÊ9œÀŽÊ-Ì>Ìi½ÃÊ
economic subsidy programs to assess their effectiveness. Once completed, they
should issue recommendations on how to ensure that these programs further the
goals of supporting good jobs and revitalizing regional economies. The state has
taken a good first step in re-envisioning Empire Zones. Comprehensive reforms
must come next.
Require the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) and its subsidiaries
to provide benefits only to projects where all building service workers,
including security officers, working on the premises are paid prevailing wages
and benefits. The primary purpose of the ESDC must be to promote economic
development that creates good jobs—those that pay at least a living wage, provide
affordable, quality benefits and respect workers’ rights. To this end, the governor
should direct the ESDC to adopt rules requiring those receiving financial benefits
from the ESDC and/or its subsidiaries to pay building service workers the
prevailing industry wage.
Condition Housing Finance Agency assistance on an agreement to pay all
building service workers prevailing wages and benefits. Analogous to the policy
enacted through the 421-a program, the state should require recipients of HFA
financial assistance to pay building service workers the prevailing wage.
Require all buildings to be benchmarked for energy use and audited, with a
requirement that existing building staff be trained in energy efficient building
operations and maintenance.
12 | A State That Works
2 ENSURE THAT PROCUREMENT PROMOTES RESPONSIBLE
STATE CONTRACTING
Issue an executive order to codify responsible procurement practices.
Only responsible contractors should be doing business with New York State.
Administrative changes should include:
XU An improved method for determining “best value” that includes
calculating the hidden costs to the state of low-wage employment.
XU Development of consistent standards and procurement practices
so that all state agencies follow the same procurement rules.
Pass legislation to reform “preferred source contracts.” The state must carefully
monitor contractors employing workers to ensure that they obey all laws and
respect workers’ rights. The state also should expand the preference under
procurement law to include responsible private sector contractors that employ
disabled workers and respect their rights as employees.
Fix New York State’s Section 230 building service prevailing wage law to include
additional work performed under contract, such as food service and work done at
public utilities.
3 ENSURE AN EQUITABLE TAX SYSTEM THAT SUPPORTS THE
CREATION OF AFFORDABLE AND MARKET-RATE HOUSING
Determine whether taxes and abatements such as the mortgage recording tax,
the real property transfer tax, the private activity bond allocation act and the co-op
and condo real property tax abatement are encouraging the growth of good paying
jobs and market rate/affordable housing in New York.
If reforms to tax programs are made, earmark proceeds to generate needed
revenue for New York State.
Good Jobs, Strong Economy | 13
 4 SET HIGHER STANDARDS FOR LOW-WAGE INDUSTRIES AND
STRENGTHEN WORKER SUPPORTS

Pass legislation to support the private security industry. Contracted security

officers provide the essential service of protecting the buildings where millions
of people work, live and visit each year. Yet because of poor industry standards,
turnover rates are high, pay and benefits are poor, training is inadequate, and
there is no career path to keep security officers in the industry. To end this
«>ÌÌiÀ˜]Ê̅iÊ}œÛiÀ˜œÀÊ>˜`Êi}ˆÃ>ÌÕÀiÊŜՏ`Êi˜>VÌʏi}ˆÃ>̈œ˜Ê̅>ÌÊ܈\

XU Increase penalties on “bad actors”: Increase the penalties for security

companies that ignore licensing and training requirements and discipline
non-compliant companies more expeditiously.

A STATE
XU Responsibly contract security services: Mandate 40 hours of training for
security officers for all security contractors receiving state contracts and
require companies that have contracts of $500,000 or more to participate

THAT WORKS Good Jobs,

in a security training program.

XU Pass home-rule legislation that would expand New York City’s authority

Strong Economy
over the licensing of security officers working in the city.

Implement health care initiatives that leverage employer-based coverage to

cover the uninsured, such as funding programs that use employer and public
dollars to stretch coverage to those who remain uninsured. “Bridge financing”
models, like those proposed in New Jersey, can cover more people and bring
employer dollars into the health care system.

Reform unemployment insurance by (a) ensuring that the unemployment

insurance system is fully funded, (b) increasing the payments to workers and
(c) revising the law that requires a seven-week waiting period for unemployment
benefits if a worker is unemployed due to a strike, lockout or “other industrial
controversy.”

Protect New York City’s school cleaners by opposing cuts to education in the
state budget.

Pass paid family leave legislation so workers can care for their loved ones and
take time off to care for a newborn or newly adopted child without risking their
jobs or their financial stability.

14 | A State That Works

 32BJ represents 120,000 workers in eight states and
Washington, D.C.—including 70,000 New Yorkers—
working in the property services industry.
We are committed to building a strong economy
that supports working families with good jobs and to
strengthening our communities to make New York
a viable place to live, work and raise a family.

To find out more about 32BJ’s policy agenda,

call 212-388-3954.

NEW YORK
A STATE
THAT WORKS

32BJ SEIU
101 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10013
www.seiu32bj.org