Westchester County Board of Legislators
Committee on Labor
Minutes: Monday, September 9, 2002
Present
Committee: Legislators George Latimer (Chair), Lois Bronz (Chair of the Board), Richard Wishnie, Michael Kaplowitz, James Maisano and Louis Mosiello
Staff: Barbara Dodds (Program Specialist), Carl Finger (Counsel to the Committee)
Guests: Mary Ann Nicolas (County Attorney Office), Andrew Neuman (CEO’s Office), William Randolph (CEO’s Office) Carol Craft (Westchester/Putnam AFL-CIO Central Labor Body), Michael Trinchi (AFL-CIO)
1. Meeting called to order by Chair Latimer at 4:15 p.m.
2. Motion made by Legislator Wishnie to approve minutes of August 5, 2002 and seconded by Legislator Bronz. Approved by a quorum vote of 3-0 (Wishnie, Bronz, Latimer voted aye). Other legislators arrived later.
3. Chair Latimer announced that the agenda items originally scheduled for the August 22 meeting, which was cancelled, are on today’s agenda: Apprenticeship Program Legislation, Worker Memorial Presentation and the Displaced Building Service Workers Proposal. The Displaced Workers issue will not be discussed because reps from 32BJ could not be here and legislation has not yet been drafted. The issue will be discussed at the next meeting on September 23rd.
4. Chair Latimer introduced Carol Craft and Mike Trinchi of the Westchester/Putnam AFL-CIO Central Labor Body to discuss the Worker Memorial for workers who have died on the job. As an outgrowth of Legislator Wishnie’s leadership to recognize workers. Mr. Trinchi said there were seven or eight such memorials in New York State and she gave out some materials on memorials in other states. She explained that this would not be a union memorial but for all workers who have been injured or killed on the job –organized labor is very supportive of the memorial and is pushing to get it realized. They are hoping to find a central location for all Westchester’s residents to come to and they are asking the Legislators to look for and support such a site.
Chair Latimer asked what the cost is estimated to be and how it would be funded, Mr. Trinchi said the costs have varied with the project—some are as minor as a plaque on a wall or as physical as a gazebo or a wall in a park. A rough guess would be around $40,000 to get a stone and maintain it. Funding might be sought through congressional and state representatives. Chair Latimer noted that the County has donated “seed money” in the past for memorials. Legislator Bronz said establishing a broad based committee to work on the project would be helpful in gaining support. Legislator Wishnie said that a committee should begin right away to raise funds and work on plans before the proposal comes to the County. He volunteered to join the committee and make a donation. He added that the large number of construction projects going on in White Plains might provide an appropriate opportunity for developers to help with contributions and a location.
Legislator Kaplowitz asked if there would be some incident or person that could tie-in the memorial. Mr. Trinchi said he would look into what other memorials have done and perhaps that is an issue the committee could decide. Ms. Craft said the memorial would be something to remind people how important safety is. Mr. Trinchi said that during the Vietnam years, from 1964-1975, 123,600 workers died on the job in the United States and 58,000 soldiers died during that same period. Legislator Bronz recommended that someone should research foundations as a source for funding.
Legislator Latimer suggested that Mr. Trinchi arrange a tour for the Committee of the best examples of the memorial sites. The Committee agreed that Mr. Latimer would send a letter to the County Executive expressing the Committee’s support of the concept and general interest in identifying an appropriate location.
5. Chair Latimer introduced Mary Lynn Nicolas from the County Attorney’s Office to discuss changes to the Apprenticeship Training Program legislation that was circulated and discussed at the last meeting. He said that after discussions within the Administration and the labor community, the decision was made to modify the legislation, primarily to create a dollar threshold. Ms. Nicolas outlined an amendment to the existing legislation, creating a $50,000 threshold. Committee members were in general agreement.
Leg. Wishnie suggested consideration for two additional modifications: creating an aggregate threshold of $50,000, rather than a per-contact limit; and applying the provision to lease arrangements as well as contracts. These proposed changes will be researched and prepared by the County Attorney’s Office for the next meeting. After the Labor Committee approves the changes, the legislation will go to the Legislation Committee.
6. The presentation by local 32BJ on this proposed legislation has been rescheduled for the next meeting. Similar legislation is being considered by the New York City Council. The next meeting is scheduled for September 23 at 4:30 p.m.
7. A motion to adjourn was made by Leg. Wishnie and seconded by Leg. Maisano. Chairman Latimer adjourned the meeting at 4:52 p.m.