Construction Unions Seek NY Prevailing Wage Loophole Fix

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Construction workers and union leaders are renewing their call for the state Legislature to close a loophole in New York law that allows companies to avoid paying the prevailing wage on certain publicly funded projects.

A large contingent of construction union members and labor officials gathered outside the Senate Tuesday to urge lawmakers to include in the final state budget language that defines public works as any construction project receiving taxpayer funding.

Typical public works projects such as road building and bridge repairs must pay the prevailing wage because they're being funding with public money.

But the unions say many New York economic development projects are funded with a mix of private and public funds, allowing companies to skirt the prevailing wage requirement because state law doesn't define public works.