New York State AFL-CIO Announces Support for Aqueduct Racino Plan

State Labor Federation President Denis Hughes Calls on Legislature to Immediately Approve Genting New York's Plan to Create Desperately Needed Jobs and Jumpstart Reeling State Economy

ALBANY, NY (08/09/2010)(readMedia)-- The leadership of the 2.5 million-member New York State AFL-CIO today announced its support for Genting New York's proposal to operate a Racino at Aqueduct Racetrack and called on the State Legislature to swiftly approve the proposal in order to create much needed jobs and revenue for the State.

"New York has waited far too long for the economic promise of the Aqueduct Racino plan to be realized," said Denis Hughes, President of the NYS-AFL-CIO. "Genting New York's proposal will create more than 2,000 jobs, pump tens of millions of dollars into the local economy and immediately deliver a much-needed $380 million cash infusion to New York's coffers – so let's get to work. New Yorkers cannot afford to wait another day to get shovels in the ground at Aqueduct."

Hughes' comments come on the heels of both the New York State Building & Construction Trades and the New York Hotel Trades Council speaking out in support of the project. Genting New York has agreed to hire union workers and pay all employees a prevailing wage. The project is expected to create 800 construction jobs, 1,300 permanent operations jobs and generate $1 million per day in state revenue over the next 30 years.

"Organized labor believes in this plan and the jobs it will create for our members who are struggling to find employment and put food on their tables," Mr. Hughes added. "Every day we wait is a day wasted in our quest to create jobs and get New Yorkers back to work."

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