New York State Reciprocal Debarment Legislation Signed into Law by Governor Cuomo

ALBANY, N.Y., Dec. 22, 2017 -- On December 18, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law new reciprocal debarment legislation to amend labor and general municipal law, as it relates to reciprocity of debarments imposed under the federal Davis-Bacon Act. The bill states that any contractor debarred by the U.S. Department of Labor for violations of the Davis-Bacon Act cannot work on New York State public works projects.  The statute will take effect in March 2018.

“This is an important new State law that ensures that contractors barred on the federal level from public works projects won’t have the ability to win new projects in the State of New York,” said John Ballantyne, NRCC’s Executive Secretary-Treasurer. “We’re pleased to support a law that ensures that hardworking men and women carpenters receive good pay and benefits from reputable, law-abiding companies in the State.”

The legislation was drafted by Assemblymember Harry Bronson (D-138^th District). Bronson’s Legislative District includes parts of the City of Rochester and the towns of Chili and Henrietta.

"Unscrupulous contractors that violate workers' rights don't deserve to be rewarded with contracts paid for by hardworking taxpayers," said Assemblymember Harry Bronson. "This law is a step in the right direction to help ensure that workers are protected from dishonest employers and our communities' projects are completed by upstanding businesses that pay and treat their employees properly. Federal law, under the Davis-Bacon Act, dictates that contractors are prohibited from obtaining federal contracts if they've been debarred by the U.S. Department of Labor for wage payment violations. My legislation corrects a loophole in New York State law that allowed federally debarred contractors to still obtain state public works contracts. As a member of the Assembly Committee on Labor, I will continue to be an outspoken advocate for workers' rights and continue to stand up for fair wages and vital protections."

About the NRCC:

The Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters (NRCC) represents nearly 40,000 hardworking men and women in Delaware and New Jersey and portions of Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania. NRCC is one of the largest trade unions on the East Coast. The NRCC equips professional men and women carpenters with the skills, training and quality workmanship that are demanded in today's construction industry. For more information on NRCC, please visit our website: northeastcarpenters.org & follow us on social: Facebook: facebook.com/NortheastRegionalCouncilofCarpenters; Twitter: @nrccarpenters; or Instagram: @northeastcarpenters

Contact: Tony Bianchini
Phone: 609-402-1730