November 26, 2007

Weitzman’s Living Wage Advisory Board to hold first meeting on November 30

Board members will offer insight & assistance to Comptroller’s office to ensure compliance with new county law

Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman will be meeting with the 16 appointed members of the newly instituted Living Wage Advisory Board on November 30 at 8 a.m. The board will work in tandem with the Comptroller’s Living Wage Audit team to ensure that Nassau County’s Living Wage law is enforced and that all workers on county contracts and subcontracts be paid the mandated living wage.

“The living wage law ensures that the county is not subsidizing low-wage employers at the expense of workers who provide vital services to county resident,” said Comptroller Weitzman. “I look forward to working with the Living Wage Advisory Board team members, who all exemplify the best practices for living wage enforcement. Their assistance to this office will be indispensable.”

The Comptroller’s office enforces the Nassau County Living Wage Law through its Living Wage Unit. The Nassau County law was passed by the legislature in December 2006 to ensure that employees of Nassau County contractors and lessees are earning a minimum hourly wage, receiving health benefits or a health benefits supplement, and are entitled to a certain number of paid days off.

“The Living Wage Law is important and timely,” said Board Chairman John Durso, of the Retail, Wholesale Department Store Union Local 338. “It ensures that we protect the middle class and our county’s workers.”

“We worked for years on writing and passing this important legislation. Now we must focus our efforts on compliance and making sure that the law is being enforced. We thank Comptroller Weitzman for his leadership on this issue,” stated Lisa Tyson Long Island Progressive Coalition Director.

The law applies to the following types of contracts and leases entered into by the county after January 1, 2007:

• Services contracts for $25,000 or more
• Financial Assistance contracts for more than $50,000 with an entity having at least 10 employees.
• Leases of property owned or controlled by the County
• Subcontractors of the covered contractors and lessees are also subject to the law.

The Living Wage Advisory Board will assist the Comptroller with identifying appropriate audit targets, contractors, subcontractors and aid recipients, as well as publicizing the Living Wage Law.

Living Wage Advisory Board Members

John Durso- Chairman, Living Wage Advisory Board- RWDSU Local 338
Jack Ahern- IUOE Local 30
Shirley Aldebol- SEIU Local 32BJ
Frank Bail- RWSSU Local 1102
Walter Barton- NALC Branch 6000
Patricia Bowden- TWU Local 252
Jim Castellane- Building & Construction Trades Council
Roger Clayman-Executive Director LI Federation of Labor
Larry DeAngelis- CWA District 1
Donald Fiore- IBEW Local 25
Gary LaBarbera- IBT Local 282
Nick LaMorte- CSEA Region 1
Michele Lynch- 1199SEIU
Jimmy Rogers- DC9 IUPAT
Lisa Tyson- Long Island Progressive Coalition
Nick DeFino-Local 1181