Local labor workers are fighting for the right to be employees in Yonkers.

 

Union members of Local 456 are rallying in front of Yonkers City Hall and handing out fliers because they say the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency (IDA) is not "playing fair." The Yonkers IDA is responsible for economic and job growth in the city.

Union members say new projects like the Boyce Thompson Center are getting a tax break from the city, and they say they are not bringing in local workers.

The union members want a prevailing wage law in Yonkers to allow competitive pay for workers and they are ready to fight for what they call their "American right to work."

The IDA provided News 12 with a statement saying, "Projects supported by the Yonkers IDA have created more than 1,000 jobs in the past two years, many of which were jobs in the construction industry that went to local workers. We are always encouraging developers to hire local labor, as well as to pay the prevailing wage on significant projects, and will continue to do so."