The Regional Plan Association, a civic group supported by corporations, has joined the calls for major reforms to the construction unions, saying that the costs are two high and need to change. The group has a report that says that the industry should adopt an eight hour day and reduce benefit packages. They say that the costs are not related to wages, but to work rules that serve no purpose and need to be changed. The Building and Construction Trades Council, an umbrella group for construction unions says that the report is designed to be antagonistic and that the construction industry was not responsible for the economic downturn. The Regional Plan Association will present the report to Deputy Mayors on Monday.
See "Civic Group Says That Concessions Are Needed From the Construction Unions", Charles V. Bagli, The New York Times, April 24, 2011