New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento Responds to New York Post’s Disingenuous Editorial on Affordable Housing

Albany, NY - The New York Post unfortunately but not unsurprisingly resorts to name-calling when it can’t or won't focus on the real issue at hand.

We have a housing crisis in this state that has stymied some of the best minds in politics, real estate, and finance for over three decades.

Yet the New York Post editorial board calls Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, “combative”, for doing his job.

Gary’s responsibility is to ensure workers are paid a fair wage that allows them to support themselves and their families while affording them the opportunity to one day live in the very apartments they built.

It should be noted that two weeks ago, the building trades came to an agreement with Mayor Adams that will lead to increased affordable and workforce housing in New York City.

That deal was the brainchild of the Building and Construction Trades Council of New York and will be financed in part using $100 million in union pension funds.

Talk about putting your money where your mouth is.

If the New York Post's definition of “combative” is fighting with your heart and soul for workers while offering a smart, comprehensive, and fair proposal to REBNY that would finally end this decades-long crisis once and for all, then Gary LaBarbera should wear that term as a badge of honor.

Rather than resort to media cheap shots, the union movement will continue to work toward finding a solution to the affordable housing crisis.