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Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), was joined by state and local building trades' leaders in Asbury Park today to walk a picket line with workers and discuss their concerns about the workforce used for the redevelopments projects occurring in that region.
Recently, local workers'-rights advocates have raised concerns about the financial compensation and legal documentation of workers employed for these redevelopment projects. The advocates are concerned that workers are not being paid the prevailing wage they deserve, and that jobs which should be going to U.S. citizens have instead been given to undocumented immigrants.
"These shore development projects have created a great number of construction jobs for our area," Pallone said. "However, because of the public incentives they receive it is unacceptable for these companies not to pay prevailing wage or for them to hire undocumented workers."
To address the concern regarding the payment of prevailing wages, Pallone sent a letter to New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner David Socolow. The New Jersey lawmaker asked Commissioner Socolow whether the fact that these projects have received benefits at the public's expense means that workers must be paid a prevailing wage. (LETTER FOLLOWS)
Pallone believes projects that have received public incentives such as local property tax abatements, planning grants, use of Urban Enterprise Zones (UEZ) and CAFRA exemptions should pay prevailing wage. If current law does not require payment of prevailing wage, he would urge state legislation to accomplish that goal.
To investigate the claims of undocumented workers illegally taking redevelopment jobs, Pallone sent a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He asked ICE to undertake an inquiry into the matter and to investigate whether any companies presently engaged in the competitive bidding process for work in Asbury Park employ any undocumented workers. (LETTER FOLLOWS)
"I am committed to ensuring that only documented workers are used and that the prevailing wage is paid in all construction jobs relating to redevelopment here on the New Jersey shore," Pallone said.
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April 30, 2007
Commissioner David J. Socolow
NJ Department of Labor & Workforce Development
1 John Fitz Plaza, 13th Floor
Trenton, NJ 08625
Dear Commissioner Socolow,
I am writing to you today regarding several current and future redevelopment projects along the New Jersey shore. As you may know, many coastal towns particularly in Monmouth County are in the process of significant redevelopment projects in various stages of completion. While these projects often have a positive impact on the individual towns and the region, it is troubling to me that many of the construction jobs are paying well below prevailing wage.
It is my understanding that in at least two of the municipalities, Long Branch and Asbury Park, the redevelopment projects have received benefits at the public's expense. These include, but are not limited to, the use of Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) funds, planning grants, CAFRA exemptions, local property tax abatements and use of Urban Enterprise Zones (UEZ).
I would like to inquire as to whether any of these benefits require that prevailing wage be met for the jobs they create. Further, I would like to inquire as to your department's authority to determine that these benefits can trigger the prevailing wage rule, regardless of past practices and interpretation.
Any insight you can provide into this matter would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to your timely response.
Sincerely,
FRANK PALLONE, JR.
Member of Congress
April 30, 2007
Assistant Secretary Julie L. Myers
U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement
425 I St. NW
Washington, DC 20536
Dear Assistant Secretary Myers,
I am writing to you today to request that you provide an inquiry into reports that undocumented immigrants are being employed on several job sites within the Asbury Park redevelopment zone. It is troubling to me that undocumented workers may be provided jobs that should otherwise be available to legal citizens of the United States.
I have received several oral reports and one written report of encounters that union representatives have had with persons working on job sites in Asbury Park who they claim are illegally in this country. The written report also names some companies that are presently engaged in the competitive bidding process for work in Asbury Park and are said to employ large numbers of undocumented workers. I have forwarded this written statement to you via Agent Mark Kelly. It is also enclosed with this letter for your convenience.
I respectfully request that your office undertake an inquiry into this matter and provide a report as to how the situation can be remedied. Your timely response to this matter is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
FRANK PALLONE, JR.
Member of Congress
Cc: Secretary Michael Chertoff
Special Agent Kyle Hutchins
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