Hochul signs four pieces of legislation that protect and benefit New York workers – Telemundo New York (47)

What you should know

• Gov. Kathy Hochul signed four laws on Monday, Labor Day, to help boost workplace safety and put more money in New Yorkers’ pockets.
• “On Labor Day, I am proud to sign four laws that protect and benefit New York workers. All workers deserve a fair wage, safe working conditions, and good benefits. These new laws promote New York’s proud legacy as the birthplace of the labor movement, ”she wrote in the governor.
• The four laws seek to: Keep highway workers safe, hold contractors jointly and severally liable for wages owed to workers employed by a subcontractor, require payment of prevailing wage to construction services employees in cooperatives and condominiums luxury, and finally expand shared work benefits.

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NEW YORK – Governor Kathy Hochul signed four laws on Monday, Labor Day, to help boost workplace safety and put more money in New Yorkers’ pockets.

The bills establish a demonstration program to implement speeding violation monitoring systems in work zones to keep employees safe and hold construction contractors accountable for wages owed to their subcontractors. They also require the payment of the prevailing wage to construction services employees in high-end cooperatives and condominiums and extend job-sharing benefits.

“On Labor Day, I am proud to sign four laws that protect and benefit New York workers. All workers deserve a fair wage, safe working conditions, and good benefits. These new laws promote New York’s proud legacy as the birthplace of the labor movement, ”the governor wrote on Twitter.

“On Labor Day every year, we are reminded of the vital contributions of organized labor to New York construction, and that is why I am signing four laws to help workers thrive across the state,” said Governor Hochul. “These bills will ensure that workers receive fair wages, good benefits, and are kept safe in their workplaces. Our State harbors a long and proud legacy of supporting New York workers, and we are working to reinforce that for the future.” .

The legislation signed by the governor seeks:

1. Keeping Highway Workers Safe

This legislation (S.4682-B / A.485-B) establishes a demonstration program that implements systems for monitoring infractions related to drivers who drive with excess speed in work zones using photography devices.

“The safety of workers on our roads is extremely important. Creating a camera system to record speed violations in work zones is a step to protect these workers,” Assemblyman William Magnarelli said of this measure. “Speed and the distractions are deadly. The use of photo-monitoring devices identifies those who violate the law and endanger our highway workers. “

2. Hold contractors jointly and severally liable for wages owed to workers employed by a subcontractor.

This legislation (A.3350-A / S.2766-C) makes construction project contractors jointly and severally liable for the wages owed to the employees of their subcontractors. Currently, construction contractors are not responsible for the wages of their subcontractors’ employees, unless there is an employment relationship between the contractor and the subcontractor’s employee. This bill applies prospectively to contracts entered into 120 days after the bill becomes law. It also allows contractors to demand payroll information from subcontractors and withhold payment if the information is not provided.

“This Labor Day, we make history for New York workers. Tackling wage theft in the construction industry and strengthening benefits for New Yorkers in the Work Sharing Program put more money in the pockets of working families. I thank the Governor for taking action as soon as possible and we look forward to continuing our work toward a just and inclusive recovery, “Sen. Jessica Ramos said of this bill.

3. Require the payment of the prevailing wage to construction service employees in cooperatives and luxury condominiums

This legislation (S.6350-A / A.7434-A) requires the payment of the prevailing wage to construction services employees in cooperatives and condominiums that receive tax reductions under section 467-A of the tax law. The law applies to buildings with an average assessed unit value of more than $ 60,000, with the exception of buildings that have an average assessed unit value of $ 60,000 to $ 100,000 and have fewer than 30 units. The legislation establishes affidavits that certify the payment of current wages to construction service workers, public records that can be presented before a judicial or administrative court. The New York State Department of Labor has the power to conduct an investigation and hearing and make a final determination to enforce the law and ensure that employees receive adequate pay.

“Luxury apartment buildings that can afford to provide current wages and benefits to construction service workers should be required to do so. These essential workers risk their lives every day during the pandemic to keep New Yorkers safe and should be treated with respect. I want to thank Governor Kathy Hochul for recognizing its importance to the New York City economy by signing this bill, “said Senator Brian Benjamin.

4. Expansion of shared labor benefits

This legislation (S.4049 / A.5678) changes the limit of shared work benefits from 26 weeks in a row to an amount of time equivalent to 26 weeks of benefits. The job-sharing program allows employers to retain employees and avoid layoffs by allowing staff members to receive partial unemployment insurance benefits while working reduced hours. Under current law, claimants can only receive 26 weeks of benefits, regardless of the claimant’s maximum entitlement to benefits under UI. This bill will allow claimants to collect the reduced UI benefit under a Shared Work Program until they have reached their maximum benefit amount under traditional UI.

“New York is committed to preserving jobs, retaining experienced employees, and ensuring that employers are in the best position as the economy recovers,” Assemblywoman Latoya Joyner said of this legislation. “With this legislation , New York will extend the period of time that a claimant who meets the criteria will receive benefits under the Shared Work Program. This program is a benefit to both employers and employees. As chair of the State Assembly Labor Committee of New York and a sponsor of this legislation, I am pleased that the Governor has signed it into law. “

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