Suffolk Drops Union Contractor for GOP-Connected Firm

Union leaders and Democratic officials gathered outside Suffolk County’s Public Works building in Yaphank Friday to condemn the county’s decision to terminate a nearly two-decade contract with a unionized construction firm in favor of a contractor with ties to the Republican administration.

The Suffolk County Department of Public Works ended its longstanding agreement with Austin Drywall Corp., a Bohemia-based company, last month and moved to award the work to Renu Contracting & Restoration. The new contractor is owned by Michael VanDenberg, who was appointed to the county Planning Commission last year by Republican Suffolk Executive Ed Romaine.

Democratic Suffolk Legislator Greg Doroski questioned the decision at the Friday rally, noting that Austin Drywall had received praise from county leadership and maintained a solid track record. “There are questions that must be answered,” Doroski told reporters while surrounded by union workers.

Union officials and Democratic legislators called the contract switch a clear conflict of interest, pointing to VanDenberg’s position in county government and his history of donations to Republican committees in Suffolk County, according to campaign finance records.

Labor leaders also raised concerns about potential violations of Suffolk County’s Apprenticeship Law, which requires contractors on public projects exceeding $250,000 to participate in state-registered apprenticeship programs. The law aims to train local workers while saving taxpayer money, since apprentices can be paid less while learning.

“The county appears to have waived that law,” said union labor leader Vincent Alu. “If we are a nation of laws, those who enforce the law must follow the law, and the county must explain how and why it may have violated its own law.”

The terminated Austin Drywall contract was described as a massive “on-call” agreement worth millions that allowed the county to quickly deploy union workers for repairs throughout Suffolk. Union officials accused county leaders of giving Renu preferential treatment by accepting what they believe was a bid below prevailing wage requirements while enforcing labor standards inconsistently.

Democratic Suffolk Legislator Jason Richberg emphasized the local economic impact of the decision. “At a time where we are seeing record numbers of people at food pantries, we don’t want to see our local men and women not in work, we want to see local work done with local people,” Richberg said.

County officials firmly rejected accusations of wrongdoing or political favoritism but did not explain why they terminated Austin Drywall’s contract despite previous administrative praise for the company.

“This contract was put out to bid in accordance with the provisions of New York State and Suffolk County law,” said Charles Bartha, commissioner of the Suffolk Department of Public Works. “The bids were carefully scrutinized, and the contract was awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, as the law requires.”

Bartha stressed that the decision “should not be construed as a negative as to the quality of any other bidder.”

Republican sources familiar with the bidding process dismissed the criticism as political theater, suggesting the controversy was motivated by partisan concerns rather than legitimate policy issues.

The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between Suffolk County’s Republican leadership and Democratic legislators over contracting practices and labor policies that affect thousands of Long Island workers and their families.