New York scaffold law, ICE detainee's death in Nassau jail, government shutdown

Keep workers safe, not insurers richer

New York’s Scaffold Law protects workers from falls by holding negligent contractors accountable [“It’s time to undo the Scaffold Law,” Editorial, Sept. 23]. Upstate Rep. Nick Langworthy is pushing a bill in Congress to override it on projects using federal funds. Newsday claims the state “might” cut costs “if elected officials had the courage to tackle the Scaffold Law.”

Newsday is right to note that Long Island taxpayers are overburdened, but Langworthy’s bill shifts the medical costs of injured workers from the at-fault party to taxpayers at a time when insurers are reporting record profits and Long Islanders are being squeezed.

Big Insurance lobbyists want you to believe the Scaffold Law makes projects more expensive. The facts say otherwise. Insurers have admitted to regulators they do not even track supposed losses. What they do track is profit: over $100 billion in 2024, the highest ever for property and casualty insurers.

While we disagree on costs, we thank the editorial board for recognizing the absurdity of the bill’s overreach.

For decades, bipartisan leaders in Albany have upheld the Scaffold Law. Now, Langworthy wants Washington to overstep New York’s sovereignty.

New York doesn’t need more Washington overreach. We need legislators to compel insurers to be transparent about consumer costs. The editorial board would be wise not to gamble with worker safety on a change that “might” make a dent in an industry already flush with money.

— Matthew Aracich, Hauppauge

The writer is president of The Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau & Suffolk Counties.

The editorial hits the nail on the head calling for the state to adopt Scaffold Law reform.

The New York City Special Riggers Association represents the scaffold and restoration industry, the contractors who pay exorbitant insurance rates since only a select few carriers offer plans that cover our construction jobs. The NYCSRA supports the bill to preclude absolute liability for projects receiving federal financial assistance for infrastructure and transportation development, and it has submitted a memo in support.

New York’s Scaffold Law — dating from 1885 — is the only one in the nation that confers absolute liability for gravity-related injuries at a construction site. Every other state in the nation utilizes a comparative negligence standard.

New York’s Scaffold Law does not protect workers. Construction worker accidents are no more prevalent in New York than other states. Extensive implementation of worker safety rules, like the “NYC Construction Safety Act” — which require minimum training for all workers and supervisors on New York City construction sites — along with state and federal regulatory requirements, protects workers.

The NYCSRA is committed to protecting our workers and the public. The state Scaffold Law only raises the cost of doing business and leads to fraudulent actors taking advantage of workers, who are encouraged to commit crimes by filing fraudulent accident claims. The time for change is now.

— Veronika Sikorski, Brooklyn

The writer is president of the New York City Special Riggers Association.

What kind of society are we becoming?

Reading about the death of Santos Banegas Reyes in the Nassau County jail is just heartbreaking and disgusting “Sister IDs ICE detainee who died in Nassau jail,” News, Sept. 23].

This man was on his way to work when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained him. The family has received no answers as if his life had no importance.

ICE must be brought under some kind of control. Grabbing people off the streets must stop. People should wake up and see what is happening in this country and our county.

— Mary Alice Samboy, East Meadow

Let tariff billions keep our government open

I am no economist so I am a bit confused [“How a gov’t shutdown would impact Island,” News, Sept. 28]. If we keep hearing about all the “billions and billions” of dollars that the United States is taking in due to the recently invoked tariffs, why can’t one scant billion be used to keep the government open for another month while discussions continue?

— Bob Szymanski, South Setauket