The Sorcerer's Apprentice

On Friday, September 19, Erie County Executive Chris Collins suspended the County’s Apprenticeship Law, effectively killing legislation that had basically gone unenforced since 2006.

“The County Executive pledged during his campaign to fight against this anti-business, anti-taxpayer law,” trumpeted the clarion press advisory.

The grand announcement was held at Waterfront Place, local developer Carl Paladino’s condominium project. The county executive’s message was clear: Build it with non-union labor and they will come. Presumably “they” refers to wealthy young urban professionals looking for upscale waterfront condos.

In fact, the law was intended to require training programs through the New York State Department of Labor for any contractor or subcontractor doing business with Erie County. It would seem peculiar, therefore, that a private development would be chosen as a backdrop for this announcement.

When Republicans talk about special interests they are usually referring to unions. Rarely does the term “special interests” apply to developers that pump huge amounts of cash into both parties each political cycle. The abolition of the apprentice law, a “law” which was never truly enforced, can be seen as pure political theater (and just in time for Curtain Up!).

There were, of course, plenty of the stock political actors we’ve grown to know and love, not the least of which was a minor figure from yesteryear’s hit show, The Friends and Family Plan.

“As a union company, we are already doing what is necessary to train our workforce and ensure the survival of our business,” Rosanne Lettieri is quoted as saying to Buffalo’s own Walter Winchell of the blogosphere, Joe Illuzzi. “Local businesses do not need another layer of rules and regulations that only drive up the cost of local projects. The Apprenticeship Law is a bad deal for taxpayers. By neutralizing the law, the County Executive is making sure we are maximizing our infrastructure dollars so we can build and repair more roads and bridges.”

Lettieri, you may recall, was sister-in-law to former County Executive Joel Giambra. While Lettieri may not have had the chance to repair any roads and bridges yet, she did seize the opportunity to do some on-the-job training in tree removal after the 2006 “Arborgeddon” October storm.

As reported by Buck Quiqley in Artvoice last year:

How did the city give up ownership of all that wood?…the low-bidder who won the contract was Dreamco Development Corporation, a Cheektowaga company that has never taken part in a widespread tree removal, or in tree removal at all, as far as we can tell. Dreamco, which was given a $1,508,430 contract, simply subcontracted the Ohio-based disaster recovery company Arborturf to come in, cut down the trees, and as the contract stipulates “remove all debris.”

Congratulations to County Executive Chris Collins! He may not be a career politician, but he’s proving to be a pretty quick study. As long as the politically connected still control the bidding process they can continue to sub out government jobs to non-union out-of-towners. With “apprentices” like Lettieri back on board, who needs elves?

—john mcmahon