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28-01-10 11:52
UBC Brings Misclassification Fight to Albany
Important hearings on “Employee Misclassification in New York’s Underground Economy” were heard by the NYS Senate in Albany on January 13. The State Senate Standing Committee on Labor listened to testimony from experts on this pressing matter which included UBC leaders Matthew Capece, Representative of the General President of the UBC and Michael L. Conroy, Political Director for the Empire State Regional Council of Carpenters.
Both gave insight regarding the rising issue of misclassification as it affects not only union members, but taxpayers as well. Their testimony urged the senate to pass the New York State Construction Industry Fair Play Act that would require an employer to meet certain criteria before giving a worker independent contractor status.
With 15% of the construction workforce in our state misclassified each year, there are over 45,000 construction workers being misrepresented with about $4.3 billion in taxable wages being unreported each year. Resolving this issue would not only help the state to overcome huge deficits, but would bring more work to our hardworking members and the honest contractors who employ them.
To hear the testimony given by our UBC representatives, please click the following links: