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Board presses developer on local-hire commitments; advocates call for stronger labor standards
Summary
Board members asked Lincoln Property Company how it will meet the IDA's social equity/local-hiring expectations (15% local-hire or union labor); Lincoln said it will build a local subcontractor pool and is open to working with unions, while advocates at the hearing urged binding project-labor agreements and apprenticeship requirements.
Several board members pressed the developer about how it will meet the IDA’s social-equity and local-hire expectations, and public commenters and advocates urged stronger, binding requirements. Miguel asked for specifics on steps the developer will take to achieve the IDA’s 15% local-hire or union-labor expectation and said other local projects had achieved far lower local-hire percentages. “What are your steps that you're taking to fulfill that?” Miguel asked.
Derek Schuthman said Lincoln and its GC, Swinerton, are experienced in jurisdictions with demanding local-hire and union requirements, that they are building a pool of local subcontractors for bidding, and that they would be willing to work with unions and report back with specifics. Advocacy speakers, including Michael Yellin of the New Rochelle Alliance for Justice, argued that a 15% best-efforts standard is insufficient and urged mandatory project-labor agreements and apprenticeship requirements to create career pathways for local residents.
The board and staff agreed to follow up: the developer will provide a more detailed local-hire plan and staff will facilitate introductions between unions, general contractors and the IDA to improve local hiring outcomes.
