Union halts privatization in Water Tunnel #3
Source: District Council 37 Public Employee Press, October 2007
Earlier this year, professionals at the Dept. of Environmental Protection were concerned about reports that the city would farm out the design work for a major section of its $6 billion water tunnel project.
...... Local 375 demanded a meeting with management to press the department to keep the work in-house. At the July 2 session with 1st Deputy Commissioner Steven Lawitts, Fort was accompanied by Chapter 13 President Vincent Moorehead, Chapter 8 President Steve Awad and Business Rep Karl Toth.
Fort underscored the local's position that the in-house staff would bring in the project at a lower cost than consultants, thanks to their expertise and institutional knowledge. He pointed out that in-house design work on the Manhattan section, including thousands of drawings and other documentation, had saved at least $40 million and was competed two years ahead of schedule.
The local estimates that keeping the Kensico work in-house will save the city $57.2 million in design costs alone. The design, construction and construction management budget for the project is $1.3 billion.