Developers have found way to bypass Berkeley's labor standards for housing construction

"More than two years after Berkeley leaders adopted a set of union-backed labor standards for major construction projects, the developers behind three proposed new apartment complexes plan to use one of California's most powerful state housing laws to exempt themselves from the mandates. The move has construction unions crying foul, saying it subverts the law's intent and effectively guts a host of local development ordinances that set requirements for workers' pay, health care coverage and apprenticeship programs."

"Members that night voted to approve a 23-story complex on University Avenue in downtown Berkeley that would be exempted from requirements to provide health insurance and apprenticeships, as well as another ordinance mandating large buildings use glass designed to prevent bird collisions."

"Developers say Berkeley's mandates would add millions of dollars in extra costs and make their projects too expensive to build. They contend California's density bonus law which allows builders to bypass local regulations if their projects include a share of affordable apartments is on their side. Our former City Council adopted a set of standards that put enormous cost pressure on housing development in Berkeley, consultant Mark Rhoades said at the same zoning board meeting. They set the unions up for failure."

Developers behind three proposed Berkeley apartment complexes plan to invoke California's density bonus law to exempt projects from local union-backed labor standards enacted over two years ago. The exemptions would remove requirements for health insurance, apprenticeship programs and a bird-safe glass ordinance for large buildings. Construction unions argue the strategy undermines worker protections and could set a precedent for bypassing local regulations statewide. The Zoning Adjustments Board approved a 23-story University Avenue project that received such exemptions. Labor groups have appealed that approval and will take the matter to the City Council in February.

Read at www.berkeleyside.org