In a dramatic return to Hudson County on July 21, Democratic candidate for governor Phil Murphy joined carpenters union workers on a picket line at a Jersey City luxury development project to demonstrate his support for state and local unions.
Prior to his successful primary victory in June, Murphy had held a rally in Jersey City in support of hotel workers unions.
Murphy, whose July 21 visit coincided with a campaign rally in Bayonne, joined the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters’ (NRCC) picket line from 12-12:30 p.m. The event took place at 75 Park Lane near the corner of Washington Boulevard in Jersey City.
During the visit, Murphy lent his support to union carpenters who are trying to raise public awareness of the business and employment practices of Structure Tech, the subcontractor responsible for construction of the concrete superstructure of the new 37-story Park and Shore residential/retail development.
The NRCC claims that during the concrete superstructure construction phase of the project, Structure Tech, based in New York, will not use local labor and will employ approximately 100 workers from outside of New Jersey.
The carpenters’ union endorsed Murphy in October last year, making it one of the earliest large unions to do so. The union also held an extensive get out the vote drive for Murphy just prior to the primary in June.
Earlier this year in Jersey City, Murphy talked about the level of threat the current GOP administration in Washington DC posed to working and poor people.
“While this hasn’t come yet, we expect the Trump administration to begin a war on unions shortly,” he said. He said that as governor he would oppose such an assault, as well as threats to healthcare and other basic rights. “I will stand up and say ‘Not in New Jersey’.”
Although Murphy has received endorsements from other unions and political leaders throughout the state, endorsements by unions and elected leaders in the Democratic stronghold of Hudson County are considered vital for Murphy to win the election.
Murphy faces Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, a Republican, in November for the top spot.
Out of state workers, stay out
NRCC members began picketing activities on Monday, July 17, protesting wage and benefits issues with Structure Tech as well as the company’s practice of employing out-of-state workers on the Jersey City project.
“Northeast Carpenters’ Local 253 has nearly 135 Jersey City residents who could have benefitted themselves and their families by working on a large development project like this.” – Alex Lopez
The City Council earlier this month was forced to revamp its ordinance requiring developers who seek tax breaks to hire locally when a federal court ruled that its 2007 ordinance was in violation of federal law.
Carpenters union officials claim the Park and Shore luxury development, near the Hudson River waterfront, is utilizing controversial EB-5 visa financing from overseas investors in order to build the project.
“Northeast Carpenters’ Local 253 has nearly 135 Jersey City residents who could have benefitted themselves and their families by working on a large development project like this,” said Alex Lopez, NRCC’s Hackensack Team lead and council representative. “Our carpenters have the skills, training and expertise necessary to safely build a project like this one and have worked for decades with law abiding and honorable contractors on projects throughout North Jersey.”
Murphy’s joining the union people on the picket line was designed to send a message to developers in New Jersey about a change of philosophy in Trenton if he successfully wins his bid for governor in November.
After his visit to the Jersey City site, Murphy went to an election event in Bayonne, where he promoted programs that would benefit small businesses, a significant issue in a town whose shopping district is struggling.
Unlike Jersey City, where Murphy can expect strong support, Bayonne has a large population of what have been historically called “Reagan Democrats,” conservative Democrats who tend to vote Republican in state and national elections.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com
