Three legged stool of New York Construction
By Bill Hohlfeld
Thursday, September 17, 2009
At a little past noon on September 17th, 2009, the New York City Building Trades Council once again helped shape the future of New York by endorsing Mike Bloomberg for yet another term as Mayor.
Rally organizer Anthony Williams kept the energy level high while a packed room at the Masonic Temple on W. 23rd St. waited eagerly for His Honor to appear. Chants of “four more years” and “Who do we want? - Mike!” rose to an ear-splitting crescendo while a room full of reporters, elected union officers and rank and file members literally rubbed shoulders in anticipation of the announcement.
If the atmosphere had been bordering on festive, it made a subtle shift to serious when Local 79 member, Barry Smith took the microphone and gave his personal perspective. Speaking from the heart and without notes, he told his receptive audience of his ability to support his family and provide them with health care because of the construction employment opportunities afforded to him over the past two years. He was clear on attributing those opportunities to what he described as Mayor Bloomberg’s “pro-development” policies. He, for one, saw no good reason to change those policies.
As Barry concluded his remarks, His Honor arrived amid cheers and applause. At that point, Gary La Barbera, President of the New York City Building Trades came to the podium. He welcomed the Mayor and reminded all present that in the aftermath of 9/11, eight years ago, it was the direction and leadership of Mike Bloomberg that caused the economy to rebound and grow. He cited specifically the 220 million dollars that New York City tax payers saved, and the creation of good paying union jobs, all as a result of a Project Labor Agreement reached between the School Construction Authority and the Building Trades. He spoke also of the many job creation programs, such as Helmets to Hard Hats and the Edward J. Molloy Construction Initiative, which provide pathways of education, training and employment for New york’s own. All these comments culminated, of course, in a resounding endorsement by the Building Trades of Mike Bloomberg for Mayor in 2009.
Mayor Bloomberg thanked Gary and all present for their support. He expressed his pride in having been endorsed by the Builing Trades, and vowed that he would earn the respect and support of its members by continuing his commitment to revitalize neighborhoods, provide affordable housing, and improve infrastructure in this city. He reiterated his plans for a “five borough economy,” and was adamant in his claim that no national recession will stop the necessary investments from being made in New York City.
Local 46’s own, Business Manager, Bob Ledwith, Vice-President of the New York City Building Trades, literally topped off the event when he presented Mayor Mike with a hard hat embazoned with the number 46, and the Local’s distinctive logo. Mr. Bloomberg beamed as he placed it on his head, signalling, what would appear to be, a genuine concern for the future of New York City’s Building Trades.
|