Seven construction workers are filing a lawsuit claiming they were promised union jobs at Atlantic Yards after completing a training program, according to the Daily News, but were instead offered employment at places like McDonald’s and a health club. The defendants include Forest City Ratner and BUILD (Brooklyn United for Innovative Local Development), according to the story. One of the plaintiffs had this to say: “I believed I was going to be employed, that jobs were going to come into my community. …It was all lies.” Meanwhile, the president of BUILD says the program never guaranteed construction jobs. Matthew Brinckerhoff, the lawyer representing the plaintiffs along with South Brooklyn Legal Services, is quoted as follows: “It’s galling that people living in the community were conned into enthusiastically supporting this project based on the promise of jobs.” As Atlantic Yards Report notes, Council Member Letitia James, State Senator Velmanette Montgomery and South Brooklyn Legal Services are holding a press conference about the lawsuit this afternoon. The notice about the press conference says “the suit seeks the recovery of unpaid wages as well as damages based on false promises.”
Promise of Union Jobs a Lie by Atlantic Yards: Suit [NY Daily News]
Federal Lawsuit to be Filed against FCR, BUILD, Bruce Ratner, Others [AY Report]