KINGSTON – Ulster County Executive Michael Hein on Friday signed into law a new policy that requires contractors entering into contracts with the County of Ulster to have apprenticeship agreements for certain bridge contracts of over $500,000.
Contractors must have apprenticeship agreements appropriate to the type and scope of work to be performed and must be registered with and approved by the state Labor Department.
Hein said the law will “help ensure we have a well-trained generation of high skilled local tradesmen to tackle the monumental task of rebuilding infrastructure through the Hudson Valley.”
Todd Diorio, president of the Hudson Valley Construction Trade Council and business manager of Laborers Local 17, said the new law “will ensure well-trained high quality workers are prepared to meet Ulster County’s future infrastructure for many years to come.”
Sam Fratto, business manager of IBEW Local 363, said the measure “will directly create job opportunities and jobs for residents in the local building trades.”
Hein’s 2015 budget called for an Infrastructure Investment Program to address $10 million in critical road and bridge improvements in 2014, known as “Building a Better Ulster County.”
Labor leaders watch in approval as Hein signs the law
