Focusing on labor and workers, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins signed two landmark pieces of legislation
aimed at strengthening protections, wages and workforce development opportunities for workers across Westchester
County.

Jenkins said: “These are the kinds of protections and workforce investments I have advocated for and fought to advance
for decades. I am proud to see the Board of Legislators take meaningful action to support working men and women across
Westchester and ensure County projects create good-paying jobs, strong labor standards and real pathways to opportunity.”

Recently passed by the Westchester County Board of Legislators, the “Westchester County Lessor Prevailing Wage Act” ensures that construction workers on County-leased properties receive the same standard union wages and benefits they would earn on County-owned job sites.

“The Mandating Apprenticeships in County Projects Act” requires contractors bidding on large County construction projects to provide hands-on, industry-aligned apprenticeship training and workforce development opportunities for workers entering the trades.

Westchester County Lessor Prevailing Wage Act

The “Westchester County Lessor Prevailing Wage Act” guarantees construction workers on County-leased properties
must receive the same standard union wages they would earn on County-owned properties.

Under current law, construction projects on privately owned properties leased by the County — even when those projects
directly support County services and operations — may not qualify as “public work,” meaning workers are not always guaranteed prevailing wage protections. The legislation applies to lease agreements lasting 10 years or longer, and to construction projects valued at more than $250,000 that are performed on behalf of the County.

Under the new law, contractors and subcontractors working on those projects must pay prevailing wages and submit certified
payroll records to ensure compliance.

Mandating Apprenticeships in County Projects

The Mandating Apprenticeships in County Projects legislation strengthens workforce development by requiring contractors seeking County construction contracts valued at more than $250,000 to provide workers with hands-on training and career development opportunities through New York State-registered apprenticeship programs in the building trades. Contractors with 14 or fewer employees are exempt from the requirement.