On August 16, 2023, New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law the Roadway Excavation Quality Assurance Act (the Act), S.4887/A.5608. The details of the legislative development were shared by Natalie C. Vogel from the law firm Bond Schoeneck & King PLLC in her article released on JD Supra.
This piece of legislation brings significant changes to the construction industry. The key provision of the Act guarantees prevailing wages to workers involved in roadway excavation projects, increasing the security of those employed in this sector and ensuring they receive remuneration in line with industry standards.
The law will take effect 13 days after its signing, which means it will come into force on August 29, 2023. With this enactment, New York joins a growing list of regions worldwide that are taking radical steps to protect the rights of workers engaged in the demanding and hazardous work of roadway construction.
This move is not only legislative but also addresses issues of labor equity and safety in the construction industry. It can be anticipated that this Act, and similar future legislation, will likely influence the landscape of construction labor rights and set a benchmark for other states to follow.
In her coverage, Vogel provides an insightful legal analysis of the law, which will be of interest to corporate legal professionals, especially those representing construction firms or labor rights. For a comprehensive understanding of the Act and its implications, her full analysis on JD Supra comes highly recommended.