Two New Landmark Pieces of Labor Legislation

WHITE PLAINS – Focusing on labor and workers, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins signed two landmark pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening protections, wages and workforce development opportunities for workers across Westchester County.

Jenkins said, “These are the kinds of protections and workforce investments I have advocated for and fought to advance for decades. I am proud to see the Board of Legislators take meaningful action to support working men and women across Westchester and ensure County projects create good-paying jobs, strong labor standards and real pathways to opportunity.”

Recently passed by the Westchester County Board of Legislators, the “Westchester County Lessor Prevailing Wage Act” ensures that construction workers on County-leased properties receive the same standard union wages and benefits they would earn on County-owned job sites. “The Mandating Apprenticeships in County Projects Act” requires contractors bidding on large County construction projects to provide hands-on, industry-aligned apprenticeship training and workforce development opportunities for workers entering the trades.

Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman Vedat Gashi said, “Today marks a milestone for workers across Westchester County. Together, these two laws close a loophole that left construction workers without fair pay protections and open doors for the next generation of tradespeople. When Westchester builds, everyone on that job deserves fair wages and a real path forward in their career. Thanks to County Executive Jenkins for signing these bills into law, to our labor partners for bringing these issues to our attention and staying at the table, and to my colleagues on the Board whose dedication made this moment possible. Westchester is proving that when we invest in infrastructure, we can also invest in the people who build it.”

Westchester County Legislator Emiljana Ulaj said, “Westchester makes it clear that we once again stand with workers. Whether it’s investing in paths to the middle class through apprenticeship programs or ensuring construction projects that are done to benefit the County uphold current wage and benefit standards, these bills are more than the sum of their parts—they are a statement about Westchester County always lifting up standards for workers. Thank you to County Executive Ken Jenkins for always standing in solidarity with labor.”

Laborers Local 60 Business Manager Anthony Ascencao said, “These bills are about raising standards across the construction industry and creating opportunities for the next generation of skilled workers. Protecting prevailing wages ensures workers are compensated fairly for the critical work they perform, while apprenticeship requirements help open doors for local residents for hands-on training, benefits and long-term stability. Westchester County is showing leadership by investing in both quality construction and the people who build our communities every day.”

Local 21 Plumbers & Steamfitters Sean Carey said, “As we sign these bills, we commit to shared prosperity. When workers thrive, families thrive and grow stronger, and our democracy works better for everyone.”

Vice President of the Westchester Putnam Building Trades Council and Carpenters Local 279 Business Representative Edward Cooke said, “County Executive Ken Jenkins is a man who works tirelessly to champion the causes that matter most to his constituents and to the core beliefs he has carried throughout his public service. He works closely with a legislative body committed to creating opportunity and advancing the dignity of labor for the residents of Westchester County. This Apprenticeship Bill is proof of that commitment. County Executive Jenkins has dedicated himself to this concept because, in his words, it ‘just makes sense.’ For more than 15 years, through every governmental position he has held and every office to which he has been elected, he has consistently pursued policies that create pathways to opportunity for working families. We are proud to stand with County Executive Ken Jenkins and this Legislature because, together, they have created opportunities for the youth of Westchester and the surrounding communities. They have taken the first step toward building real careers in the Building Trades through apprenticeship programs and creating a true pathway to the middle class.”

Building and Construction Trades Council of Westchester and Putnam Counties President Jeff Loughlin said, “The 33 affiliates of the Westchester/Putnam Building and Construction Trades Council extend our sincere thanks to County Executive Jenkins for getting this apprenticeship bill across the finish line. Throughout his career, County Executive Jenkins has been a steadfast advocate for organized labor, and these new laws are additional important steps in supporting working-class people in organized labor—not just for today, but for tomorrow.”

Laborers Local 235 Business Manager RJ Merritt said, “The passage of these two bills marks a major step forward for working people in Westchester County. By strengthening prevailing wage protections and requiring registered apprenticeships on public construction projects, the County is investing in fairness, workforce development, and the future of the construction industry. These laws help ensure taxpayer-funded projects create real career opportunities with family-sustaining wages, quality training, benefits, while also delivering highly skilled craftsmanship for our communities. We applaud the Board of Legislators for taking meaningful action to protect workers and strengthen the local economy.”

Local 3 IBEW Electricians Lou Sanchez said, “Two bills, one shared commitment. Justice in the workplace, respect for every worker and a collective path to security for working-class families.”

Hudson Valley Carpenters Business Manager Scott Smith said, “Carpenters Local 279 would like to thank the Westchester County Board of Legislators and County Executive Ken Jenkins for passing the Westchester County Lessor Prevailing Wage Act. This legislation represents an important step toward protecting good-paying union jobs, raising labor standards, and ensuring that public investments support fair wages for working families across Westchester County.”

Westchester County Lessor
Prevailing Wage Act
The “Westchester County Lessor Prevailing Wage Act” guarantees construction workers on County leased properties must receive the same standard union wages they would earn on County owned properties.

Under current law, construction projects on privately owned properties leased by the County — even when those projects directly support County services and operations — may not qualify as “public work,” meaning workers are not always guaranteed prevailing wage protections.

Jenkins said this is about closing a gap in state labor law to better protect workers.

The legislation applies to lease agreements lasting 10 years or longer, and to construction projects valued at more than $250,000 that are performed on behalf of the County. Under the new law, contractors and subcontractors working on those projects must pay prevailing wages and submit certified payroll records to ensure compliance.

Mandating Apprenticeships in County Projects
The Mandating Apprenticeships in County Projects legislation strengthens workforce development by requiring contractors seeking County construction contracts valued at more than $250,000 to provide workers with hands-on training and career development opportunities through New York State-registered apprenticeship programs in the building trades.

Jenkins said, “This measure is about creating opportunity, strengthening our workforce and making sure County projects are built by skilled professionals right here in Westchester. Expanding apprenticeship programs helps open doors for the next generation of tradespeople while supporting high-quality work on critical infrastructure projects.”

Contractors with 14 or fewer employees are exempt from the requirement.