A Message from Business Manager Chris Erikson
"Keep the Union Strong." It’s a nice phrase, but it’s a hell of a lot more than just words. It means doing your part and encouraging your union brothers and sisters to do their part as well. We recently sent letters to roughly 6,000 union members who live in 14 key New York State Senate districts, asking them to reach out and encourage their senators to vote for Senator John Liu's Parkland Alienation Bill (S7121A) that is needed to pass for the Citi Field Metropolitan Park project to progress through the process of attaining a gaming license and then begin construction.
Metropolitan Park is the proposed $8 billion gaming, hotel, entertainment, and green space project slated for construction on 50 acres of asphalt parking lots at Citi Field in Flushing, Queens. This project has been progressing through the stages of zoning changes and committee approvals, including most recently a 41-2 vote of support by the City Council. It will create thousands of union jobs, enhance the community by making it a 365-days-a-year destination, and will make significant improvements to public infrastructure and transportation. For the project to be viable and to progress toward winning a gaming license and ultimately begin construction, the State Senate needs to pass a bill that changes the allowable use of the land. Senator Liu of Queens has introduced this legislation as Senate Bill S7121A. Now we need to make sure this bill passes before the end of the legislative session next month.
If you receive a letter, I am urging you to reach out to your State Senator as soon as possible. Let them know as a constituent and union member how important this project is to you and your family, and to vote in favor of the bill.
The job will be built all-union, and the work opportunity is there for the permanent maintenance and operations jobs upon completion. Additionally, we will construct 25 acres of public park and green space including sports fields, playgrounds, and gardens, plus new connections to the waterfront and surrounding community, as well as an improved and modernized road network with bike paths, and parking infrastructure. Also, there are plans for climate-ready infrastructure including solar, green roofs, and flood mitigation. All jobs that we desperately need for our membership. IBEW jobs. I want to thank you for your support and for using your voice to help. You need to make these calls. It’s an easy ask and the least you can do to grow the work opportunity for all Local Union No. 3 IBEW members. The job you save could be your own.
