Suffolk GOP Under Fire for Axing Union Contract

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 20-year contract with a unionized construction firm in favor of a contractor with political connections to the Republican administration.

Suffolk County’s Department of Public Works abruptly ended its longtime relationship with Austin Drywall Corp., a Bohemia-based company, last month. The county then awarded the work to Renu Contracting & Restoration, owned by Michael VanDenburg, who was appointed to the county Planning Commission by Republican Suffolk Executive Ed Romaine last year.

“Austin Drywall Corp. was praised by the County Executive, praised by Majority Leader Nick Caracappa, and had a good record — there are questions that must be answered,” Democratic Suffolk Legislator Greg Doroski told reporters while flanked by union workers.

The controversy centers on what union officials and Democrats characterize as a conflict of interest. Campaign finance records show VanDenburg has made frequent donations to Republican committees in Suffolk County. Critics argue his position on the Planning Commission creates an inappropriate relationship between the contractor and county government.

Labor leaders also raised concerns about Suffolk County’s own Apprenticeship Law, which requires contractors on public projects exceeding $250,000 to participate in state-registered apprenticeship programs. These programs train local workers while saving taxpayers money, since apprentices can legally receive lower wages 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” arrangement worth millions of dollars that allowed the county to quickly deploy union workers for repairs across Suffolk. Union officials accused county administrators of giving Renu “preferential treatment” by accepting a bid they believe fell below prevailing wage requirements while enforcing labor standards inconsistently.

Prevailing wage laws mandate minimum pay rates contractors must offer workers on public jobs to prevent companies from undercutting wages and undermining local labor standards.

“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,” said Democratic Suffolk Legislator Jason Richberg.

County officials strongly rejected accusations of wrongdoing or political favoritism but did not explain why they terminated Austin Drywall’s contract despite previous praise from the administration.

“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 emphasized that the decision “should not be construed as a negative as to the quality of any other bidder.” The contract amount for the new arrangement has not been publicly disclosed.

Republican sources familiar with the bidding process dismissed the criticism as partisan politics. However, union leaders and Democratic officials have demanded the county’s GOP-led administration immediately reverse course on what they consider a questionable deal that could harm local workers and taxpayers.