The Hudson County Board of Commissioners approved a road improvement project in Union City and Weehawken, tweaking the language of the resolution before approval to ensure union labor is utilized.
By Dan Israel/Hudson County View
The board amended a resolution then subsequently approved it, authorizing a contract with Parlin-based S. Batata Construction, Inc. not to exceed $4,889,641.50 at the commissioners meeting last week.
The one-year contract is for run-of-the-mill road improvements to 32nd Street from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to Gregory Avenue in Union City and Weehawken.
“The purpose of that language is to ensure that all work is defined, not only work performed by a GC [general contractor], but by any sub[-contractor] who’s performing work. So just to make that clear, it’s all work pursuant to it,” stated Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), who made the motion to amend.
O’Dea first raised issue at Tuesday’s caucus meeting, which prompted County Counsel Alberico De Pierro to announce that Hudson County Executive Craig Guy would soon sign an executive order lowering the threshold for project labor agreements in the county.
After he signed the executive order later last week, as HCV first reported, the threshold to allow agreements with labor unions to complete construction of county projects was lowered from $5 to $3.5 million, which a state law signed by now former Gov. Phil Murphy (D) permits.
Commissioner Al Cifelli seconded the motion (D-9), noting that he had discussed the matter with Hudson County Administrator Abe Antun, who confirmed this project will be completed with union labor.
Board Chair Anthony Romano (D-5) stated that after the caucus meeting, the entire board and Guy were concerned over the project potentially not using union labor.
“This was an effort by all the commissioners on this board in conjunction with the county executive to ensure that labor was going to be included in this item,” Romano stated.
“It ensures that the cities that are involved get the necessary work done in the time frame needed.”
Romano and O’Dea both applauded the collaborative effort between the board and Guy, as well as other county officials.
“I just want to emphasize on that one item, that make sure labor unions understand that this board together with the county executive ensured that would be all contractors with the union. I’m proud to say that both branches of government work together to ensure that labor is definitely represented,” expressed Romano.
“I want to thank my colleagues and County Exec, Craig Guy for ensuring when I raised the flag about that construction, that we get all union labor. I appreciate everybody. We’ll all be standing strong and together,” O’Dea concluded.
