Hochul signs 4 bills in spirit of Labor Day

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — This Labor Day, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed four pieces of legislation aimed at boosting workplace safety and putting more money in the hands of workers.

The bills establish a demonstration program to implement speed violation monitoring systems in work zones, make construction contractors liable for the wages owed to their subcontractors, require the payment of prevailing wage to building service employees at high-end co-ops and condos and extend Shared Work Benefits.

The “Keeping Workers Safe” Act would create a pilot program that would use photo devices to monitor speeds in work zones.

The “Making Contractors Liable for Wages Paid to Their Subcontractors” Act provides for wage theft prevention and enforcement and would mean a construction contractor would assume liability for any unpaid wages, benefits, damages, attorney fees related to a civil or administrative action by a wage claimant or the Department of Labor against a subcontractor.

The “Paying Prevailing Wage to Building Service Employees in Buildings Receiving the 467-A Tax Abatement” would ensure building service employees at high-end co-ops and condos are paid the prevailing wage. The prevailing wage is set locally and will differ across the state.

The “Extending Shared Work Benefits” Act requires that a claimant not be paid benefits in excess of twenty-six times the amount of regular compensation, including dependents’ allowances, payable to them for a week of total unemployment during a benefit year.