The Bronx Needs a Raise, Not a Lump of Coal! Coalition Calls On City Council to Do the Right Thing

Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance, Dec 10 2009

Contact: Ava Farkas
646-533-5454
Michael Yellin
917-434-6130

Vote Down Publicly Subsidized Development if Living Wage Jobs and Other Community Benefits are Not Included

The Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance today rejected the Bloomberg Administration's l11th hour proposal to gain Council approval for the redevelopment of the Armory because it does not require employers to pay a living wage or include an enforceable Community Benefits Agreement with first source local hiring, protection of the right of retail workers to join a union without fear or intimidation, community and recreation space, and the exclusion of a supermarket or a big box grocery store.

"All Bloomberg is offering is a 'Bah Humbug' and a lump of coal," said KARA's Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter after meeting with members of the Bronx City Council delegation. "This is a bad deal for the Bronx and all New Yorkers and we are calling on the Council to vote it down. The so-called living wage fund that the Administration is proposing is nothing but a subsidized poverty fund. It doesn't mandate employers to pay living wages.Low wage workers are already on food stamps, Medicaid, and Section 8. We don't need to subsidize poverty we need a mandatory living wage paid by employers!"

"Bronx workers need a living wage. But Mike Bloomberg, the richest man in New York, feels $10 an hour is too much to pay working people. His proposals would condemn them to a life of poverty wages and reliance on charity. Workers in the Bronx need jobs with living wages and benefits," said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union and a co-convener of KARA. A living wage in New York City is at least $10 an hour plus benefits or $11.50 an hour without benefits.

The New York City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises is scheduled to vote on Friday, December 11, on Related's application to develop the historic Armory. The full Council is scheduled to vote on the project afterwards.

The Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA) is a growing coalition of community groups, churches and unions that seek high road, equitable development for the Kingsbridge Armory. The Alliance wants the redevelopment to meet the community's needs for living wage jobs, community space, recreational facilities and schools. City, state and federal officials have endorsed KARA. Visit http://www.ourarmory.org