For more than 50 years, Montesano Bros. has been more than a construction company. We are a family business built on values, relationships, and a commitment to doing things the right way, even when it’s not the easiest path.
Throughout our history, we’ve believed that the men and women who build our roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure deserve respect, fair compensation, and safe working conditions. That belief has guided every decision we’ve made, including decisions that have sometimes cost us work.
There have been projects where we knew our commitment to employing skilled union labor made us less competitive on price compared to companies willing to cut corners or seek cheaper alternatives. Yet we never wavered. We understood that investing in highly trained, fairly compensated workers results in better craftsmanship, safer job sites, and stronger communities.
That is why we applaud Westchester County’s recent passage of the Lessor Prevailing Wage Act.
This important legislation closes a loophole that allowed construction projects on county-leased properties to avoid prevailing wage requirements, even when those projects directly supported county operations. Going forward, contractors and subcontractors working on qualifying projects will be required to pay prevailing wages and maintain certified payroll records, helping ensure fairness and accountability throughout the construction process.
The passage of this law is a victory not only for organized labor but for the entire construction industry. It promotes fair competition by ensuring contractors compete on quality, expertise, safety, and efficiency, not by reducing wages or worker protections. It also helps strengthen apprenticeship programs, creates career opportunities for the next generation of skilled tradespeople, and supports local families who depend on these careers.
At Montesano Bros., we’ve long believed that treating people right is not just good business, it’s the foundation of lasting success. The employees, operators, laborers, mechanics, drivers, foremen, and office staff who have helped build our company over the last five decades are the reason we’ve earned the trust of our clients and communities.
Our legacy was not built by taking shortcuts. It was built by standing behind our workforce, delivering exceptional work, and remaining true to our principles.
As the industry continues to evolve, we are encouraged to see policies that recognize the value of skilled labor and protect the workers who make every project possible.
For us, this isn’t a new way of thinking. It’s the way we’ve always done business.
And it’s the way we’ll continue to build for generations to come.
