CUNY TV logo

 

This edition: New York's Living Wage Battle: Economic Development & Community Benefits in the Big Apple

Episode Details

Original tape date: September 28, 2010.

Moderator Bob Liff and a panel of experts debate the highly controversial “living wage” bill, which is currently being considered in the New York City Council.  In May 2010, a major economic revitalization project in the Bronx—at the Kingsbridge Armory—was scuttled by a requirement that its developers and tenants pay a higher hourly wage than the Federal and City minimum.  Elected officials and their union allies argued that developers receiving public support and subsidy provide workers with additional earnings.  Developers argued that wage requirements were unsustainable and anathema to the free market.  In the end, the $310 Million, 575,000 square foot development was never built and the Kingsbridge Armory remains dormant.  Now, the debate over a living wage requirement continues throughout New York City, as well as in cities around the nation.  The fault lines in this debate are exhibited in a spirited battle at the September 28 “CUNY Forum.”

Guest List

Jeff Eichler Coordinator of the RWDSU Retail Organizing Project (Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union)

Bob Liff Senior Vice President, George Arzt Communications

Stephanie Luce Murphy Institute for Worker Education and Labor Studies, The City University of New York

Melissa Mark-Viverito New York City Council, District 8

Prof. Fred Siegel Senior Fellow, Manhattan Institute Center for Civic Innovation

  • About this series

  • CUNY Forum is an hour-long program that allows for extended discussion of governmental issues by panels of educators, government leaders and industry figures.

    The audience consists of students participating in the CUNY Edward T. Rogowsky Internship Program in Government and Public Affairs, who are encouraged to question and interact with the panel.

    CUNY Forum is one of a number of programs produced by the City University appearing in the CUNY Presents timeslot, on a rotating monthly basis.

  • Regular air times

  • Monday – Thursday 8:00am

  • More on this series

  • Watch previous editions online
  • Sign up for the CUNY TV email newsletter
    • FacebookTwitter YouTube Instagram