CM James Comments On Court Decision Regarding Council’s Prevailing Wage Bill

**For Immediate Release**
August 6, 2013

Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081

Council Member James Comments On Court Decision Regarding Council’s Prevailing Wage Bill
Manhattan Supreme Court Struck Down Bill Citing NYS Minimum Wage Conflict

(New York, NY)— On August 5, 2013, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey Wright struck down prevailing wage legislation passed in the New York City Council was, finding it to contradict New York State minimum wage laws.

The prevailing wage legislation, initially approved by the Council in April 2012, would require recipients of major city subsidies to pay building service workers a prevailing wage, which will be set by the New York City Comptroller.

Currently, prevailing wages are set by the Comptroller for work on public projects, though the wages differ by occupation and are meant to reflect current union rates.

“I renew my support for the prevailing wage legislation, and join my colleagues in the fight for higher union-level wages for workers in buildings where the City is the major leaseholder,” said Council Member Letitia James. “In his decision Justice Wright recognized that—contrary to arguments from the administration— this legislation is beneficial to many of the City’s service workers and good for our local economy.”

On May 15, 2012, the City Council voted to override Mayor Bloomberg’s veto of the prevailing wage legislation.

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