Islip eyes contractors with apprenticeships

Islip officials are considering a policy -- akin to ones in Huntington, Brookhaven, Oyster Bay and Long Beach -- that would force substantial development projects to use contractors with New York State-registered apprenticeship programs.

Gerry Wolkoff, developer of the $4 billion Heartland project, who has opposed efforts to persuade him to use union workers on the region's largest project, dismissed the proposal. He predicted the measure won't have the votes to pass.

"It's bad policy; they won't get the votes," said Wolkoff.

Democrats on the Islip Town Board voted 3-0 Tuesday to hold a public hearing on the issue. Republican council members Steve Flotteron and Trish Bergin Weichbrodt -- the only members who will remain on the board after Jan. 1 -- abstained, setting the stage for a heated discussion Dec. 13 when dozens are expected at Town Hall.

The proposal, brought by councilman Gene Parrington, a Democrat and works for Local 25 IBEW, would require all permit applications for construction of a commercial building of at least 100,000 square feet to provide evidence the contractors or subcontractors participate in an approved state labor department apprenticeship training program.

"It's about safety first," Parrington said. "I've been alarmed at seeing contractors come from out of state, unaware of New York safety rules. They bring in workers who live in trailers, earn their money and without spending a dime here, take it directly home. We lose the jobs, the money and the taxes. We need to get our young people here in New York working."

Superviser-elect Tom Croci, a Republican, described the proposal as "a major policy shift" for the Town, one that would affect economic development and job creation. He said he had asked that the issue be left for the new board to pursue -- instead of "slipping it under the carpet at the last minute."

Interviewed Wednesday, Croci said he had not reached a position on the policy but wanted the opportunity to consider it with his new board after Jan. 1.

Outgoing Supervisor Phil Nolan, who had been on the fence about the issue, said Tuesday that in light of the economy, he thinks it would be a sound move to adopt a local law that favors local workers.

"There are arguments on both sides, but I have come to think that with the economy in such dire straits here on Long Island and in New York, it's pretty good public policy to favor workers living and paying taxes here: They get trained into a career, and the local economy and tax base benefits through their working life."

Democrat John Edwards, who voted for the public hearing, said he's still evaluating the proposed resolution. Bergin and Flotteron said they abstained on the public hearing out of misgivings about the way the resolution had been "sprung" onto the agenda Monday.

Suffolk County Labor Commissioner Robert W. Dow Jr. spoke in favor of apprenticeship programs at the board meeting. He rebutted claims the policy was an attempt to drive business to unionized shops. Of more than 700 registered apprenticeship programs statewide, 90 percent are provided by companies, not unions, he said.

"Apprenticeship programs are probably the number one way to stop the brain-drain and sustain young people on Long Island," Dow said.