Westchester County Labor Committee Meeting - August 11, 2026
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Westchester County Labor Committee Meeting - August 11, 2026
The Westchester County Board of Legislators Labor Committee met on August 11, 2026, at 2:04 PM. Chair Legislator [name not provided] presided, with committee members, county legislators, and numerous union representatives in attendance. The committee addressed several labor-related issues, including prevailing wage enforcement for EV charging stations, a recently amended plumbing ownership law, and the need for public safety promotions.
Consent Calendar
- Motion to approve the minutes from May 27, 2026, was seconded and unanimously approved by voice vote.
Discussion Items
EV Charging Station Prevailing Wage/PLA Requirements
- Rich McSpendon (IBEW Local 3) reported on the county's response to his inquiry about the EV charging station program. The county stated its PLA law does not automatically apply because the stations are installed on municipal property, even though county dollars fund the projects. McSpendon argued that county funds for construction should trigger PLA and prevailing wage requirements, and he requested clarity on prevailing wage applicability. He also noted that one project in Mount Pleasant has already started and that he would file FOIL requests for certified payrolls.
- Legislators discussed the county's interpretation, noting the PLA law applies to county projects exceeding $250,000. The committee agreed to request that future municipal EV charging grants require a PLA, and to share the county's explanatory letter with all committee members.
Communications on Labor Issues and Legislation (Plumbing 51% Ownership Rule)
- Joe Ferrensos (Plumbers Local 21) provided extensive testimony against the recent removal of Westchester's 51% ownership requirement for master plumber license holders. He argued the rule protects public safety, is not unconstitutional, and that New York City maintains a similar law that was upheld last year. He contrasted the Rockland County case (where a 40% ownership requirement was struck down) and asserted that 51% is distinct.
- Legislators expressed frustration over the lack of communication leading to the law's change. Majority Leader Judah Holstein cited a 20-year-old Rockland County court ruling as the basis for the legal opinion, but others noted that New York City has retained its 51% rule for decades. Committee Vice Chair [Boulet?] and others requested the full details of the legal reasoning be shared with all legislators. Ferrensos also provided materials from plumbing board members unable to attend.
County Construction Careers Program
- The Chair introduced a proposal to partner with the Department of Labor, unions, community groups, and schools to create a pipeline for construction careers, supplementing the recently passed apprenticeship legislation. Discussion was exploratory, with no immediate action.
Orange County IDA Prevailing Wage/PLA Legislation
- Rich McSpendon reported on new state legislation, passed as part of the state budget, requiring prevailing wage and PLA agreements for any project receiving tax abatements from Orange County IDAs. He proposed adopting similar language for Westchester County IDAs. Legislators noted that municipal IDAs are regulated by the state and that the county may need to pursue this via a joint legislative package or state delegation. The committee agreed to investigate further.
Lease-Back Legislation Status
- Rich McSpendon asked for a status update on lease-back legislation he had previously submitted in two versions. The committee chair said she would check with the committee coordinator and ensure the versions are circulated.
Public Safety Promotions
- Representatives from the Westchester County Corrections Officers (PBA) and Superior Officers Association (SOA) highlighted critical vacancies in supervisory ranks within the Department of Public Safety. They reported six lieutenant vacancies out of 20 lines, with additional sergeants below, and noted retirements and lack of promotions are creating safety risks and morale issues. They urged the county to immediately promote from existing lists. Legislators acknowledged the concern and agreed to raise it with the Public Safety Committee.
Key Outcomes
- Approved the minutes from May 27, 2026.
- Committed to circulating the county's EV charging station letter and pursuing PLA/prevailing wage requirements for future municipal projects.
- Agreed to share all documentation and legal reasoning regarding the plumbing 51% ownership law with all county legislators.
- Referred the public safety supervisory shortage to the Public Safety Committee.
- Directed the committee coordinator to follow up on the lease-back legislation status.
- Scheduled future meetings to be announced via save-the-date notices.
Meeting Transcript
Yes. Okay. We're on the break. Okay. I call this meeting to order. Um it is 2 04 p.m. And I'm going to take attendance. I am here as the chair of the labor committee. Committee vice chair Uli here. Legislator Tubiolo. Board Vice Chair Clements. Here. Legislator Nolan. Yeah. Chair Gashi. Okay. Can I first get a motion on the minutes from May 27? Second. So since we're all in person, all in favor? Aye. Aye. And no one's opposed. So I'm just gonna check that off. And then we can get started. So uh welcome. Thank you, everyone, for joining us today. I like to see a pack table. So since we have some familiar faces, but maybe not to everyone. Let's just quickly go around, say the name and where you're from or the organization if it's a union. Um, and then we will get started on our agenda. We can start, Pete. Hi, PT Care, president of Western County Corrections Superior Officers Association. Hi, Stephen Torsiello, President of Westchester County Corrections Office Bell Association. Hello, Hattie Adams, president of CSCA West Justin Local. Uh Chris Franks, President of Counter's Union CSEA 9169. Here we go. Joe Ferrensos, local 21. Roberto Saez, uh West is the County PBA president. Thomas Bow, Senator Vice President, which is the county PBA. Rich McSpendon, business representative local three IBEW. And Florence McKill, I'm the Secretary Treasurer of Westchester Planet Central Everybody, AFL CIO. Okay, thank you. So everyone should have a copy of the agenda, and we're gonna go uh in order with our items for discussion. And so we'll start with uh Mr. McSpedan's uh EV charging station. This is carried over from last last time that we started to meet because there has been some more information and articles that were published. So Rich, if you want to jump in with that. Yes, thank you, Jen. Uh I did receive an email from the county um kind of explaining their position. I believe it should be full under the PLA agreement.
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