By JUSTINA RAMLAKHAN

Members of Local 1740 assembled a strong display of solidarity on July 25, in response to standstill contract negotiations between the union and their employer, the School Construction Authority (SCA). Representatives from DC 37, Local 1740, and the SCA attended a total of 14 bargaining sessions and were unable to come to an agreement. The previous contract expired in 2021.

The local, formed in 2018, represents architects, engineers, and other technical professionals responsible for the construction and maintenance of approximately 1,900 public school buildings in New York City. The city’s public school system is the largest in the country, servicing more than 1 million students daily.

With a 15% vacancy rate and high attrition at the agency, the workers tasked with ensuring the safety and reliability of City public schools are taking on more work to meet construction timelines for new building projects.

“There’s a revolving door. Why do people come and leave? Because they’re not getting paid their fair share, and they’re being dumped on with excessive workloads,” Local 1740 President Charles Komlo said during the rally. “Tell me anywhere in the country where an architect has 100 projects concurrently under their belt. This agency needs to have reform, and it needs a fair contract for those who are doing the work.”

The sentiment received roaring applause from the audience and was echoed by DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido.

“Don’t tell me that you care about the construction of our schools if you don’t understand the value and contributions of the people who make that happen,” Garrido said. “We have a message for the SCA: the strength of this agency doesn’t rely on your management but on the people who do the work. We want to see respect for our workers at the bargaining table with wages and a fair contract NOW.”

A key number of elected officials attended the rally to show support for Local 1740 members, including New York State Senator and Labor Chair Jessica Ramos, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, City Council Member and Contracts Chair Julie Won, City Council Member and Finance Chair Justin Brannan, and City Council Member Lincoln Restler.

“It’s not fair that these workers haven’t seen a raise since before the pandemic, and that the City is not bargaining in good faith. That’s union busting,” Ramos said. “We want to see a fair contract for Local 1740. This is not just about you guys, this is also about our kids.”

The stall in negotiations indicates tough contract battles ahead for other locals who represent workers at SCA as the labor agreement for Local 1740 sets the precedent for all SCA employees represented by DC 37. In addition to not receiving a raise since before the pandemic, Local 1740 members report not receiving the flexibility of telework that was negotiated in the citywide agreement for municipal employees.

As PEPtalk went to press, Local 1740, DC 37, and the SCA have not resolved a contract.