Union leaders and local Democrats criticize Suffolk County for terminating a 20-year contract in favor of a politically linked company.

Suffolk County Union Leaders Cry Foul Over Contract Changes

Union leaders have expressed their frustration, claiming Suffolk County has gone back on nearly two decades of agreements with union-affiliated construction firms, opting instead for those with political connections.

Recently, the Suffolk County Department of Public Works abruptly terminated its longstanding contract with Austin Drywall Co., a Bohemia-based union-supported company. The county then sought to hand over the work to Renew Contracting and Restoration Co., owned by Michael Vandenberg, who had been appointed to the county planning commission by Republican Suffolk Executive Ed Romaine last year.

On Friday, union leaders denounced this decision, labeling it as political maneuvering.

Democratic Suffolk state Rep. Greg Drosky addressed the media outside the county’s Department of Public Works in Yaphank, accompanied by a large group of union members. “Austin Drywall Corp. received praise from the county executive and others,” he noted, clearly concerned about the implications.

Both union representatives and Democratic officials have described the arrangement as a “conflict of interest.” They urged the Republican-led administration to reverse its course immediately, highlighting Vandenberg’s role in county government and his frequent contributions to the Suffolk Republican Committee, as shown in campaign finance records.

Labor officials pointed out that the contract awarded may not adhere to Suffolk’s own labor laws, arguing it was given to a company deemed “ineligible.” According to Suffolk County’s apprenticeship law, contractors working on public projects exceeding $250,000 must be involved in a state-registered apprenticeship program. These programs are supposed to train local workers and save taxpayers money, since apprentices earn lower wages while acquiring skills.

Union leader Vincent Al stated, “It seems the county has sidestepped this law. If we are indeed a nation of laws, those in charge of enforcing them must also follow them. There needs to be an explanation for how and why they violated their own regulations.”

Concerns regarding prevailing wages have also emerged, as state laws require contractors to ensure that public jobs offer fair pay to avoid undercutting by companies.

The Austin Drywall contract was reportedly a significant “on-call” agreement worth millions, enabling the county to swiftly allocate union workers for repairs. While the exact contract value wasn’t disclosed, there are allegations that the agency granted Renew “favors” by selectively applying labor standards and awarding bids that seemed below prevailing wage levels.

Rep. Jason Richburg, D-Suffolk, raised questions regarding the situation, emphasizing the local community’s need for work. “With food pantries struggling to keep up with demand, we want to prevent local workers from facing job losses. It’s vital that we support local employment,” he said.

Despite the accusations, county officials have strongly denied any wrongdoing or claims of legal overreach. However, they haven’t clarified why they chose to terminate the contract, especially given previous praise for Austin Drywall.

Commissioner Charles Bartha of the Suffolk Department of Public Works commented, “This contract was awarded according to New York State and Suffolk County regulations. The bids were carefully examined, and the contract was given to the lowest responsible bidder.” He added that this should not be seen as a negative reflection on the quality of other bidders.