ABC
Statement from Brian Sampson, President, Associated Builders and Contractors, Empire State Chapter, on Reckless Fingerpoint and Fearmongering During an Active Investigation
“The rush by some to blame this incident on nonunion contractors before a single investigation has been completed is irresponsible, insulting and does nothing to improve construction safety.
No one yet knows what caused the structural failure, which is why investigations are being conducted. If the investigation finds that mistakes were made, engineering was flawed, construction procedures were ignored or responsibilities were not met, those involved should be held fully accountable. That is how the system is designed to work.
But it is unacceptable to use an active investigation to advance a political narrative.
Every worker on a New York City construction site is required to complete the Site Safety Training (SST) program. Suggesting that nonunion construction workers are somehow untrained simply because they are not union members is false and demeans the tens of thousands of skilled tradespeople who safely build New York City every day.
More troubling are the baseless accusations that nonunion contractors routinely intimidate workers, exploit immigrants, threaten deportation or deliberately cut corners to save money. These are serious allegations that require evidence, not rumors, assumptions or political rhetoric. If anyone has proof of criminal conduct, they should present it to law enforcement. Reckless accusations unfairly tarnish the entire industry.
Safety is not determined by whether a contractor is union or nonunion. It is determined by planning, supervision, training and a culture where everyone is committed to doing the job the right way.
This incident merits a thorough, objective investigation, not finger-pointing driven by ideology. The public deserves facts, not fear-mongering.
ABC Empire State will continue to support a complete investigation, wherever the facts lead. We support accountability for anyone who is responsible. But we will not stand by while an entire segment of New York's construction industry is falsely blamed before the evidence is known.”
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