A workers rights' group is appealing to Irish tourists in the Big Apple to blank its most popular visitor experience — the observatory galleries in the famed Empire State Building.
Standing in front of five mammoth inflatable rats poised to 'pounce' on the observatory lines, Jamal Butler of Construction Justice New York says the decision of the Empire State Realty Trust to use non-union labor on the refurbishment of the iconic building was "a slap in the face" to New York workers.
"This is the most famous building in New York and it's just shameful that they are unwilling to pay the $40 minimum which all developers of projects comprising of 100 residential units or more must pay," he said.
"Every worker deserves a fair wage so that they can take care of themselves and their families," said Butler, who had travelled over from his home on Staten Island to hand out flyers outside the Empire State Building.
Solidarity with @local79nyc calling out the Empire State Building Realty Trust for using contractors that don’t pay the area standard wages & benefits! pic.twitter.com/iVl8RKrxBi
— NYC CLC, AFL-CIO (@CentralLaborNYC) January 8, 2025
He added: "The Irish helped build the Empire State Building, it's our hope that Irish tourists will remove a visit to the skyscraper from their must-visit list when in New York."
The Empire State Realty Company boasts that its two observatory galleries "offer unmatched vistas of New York City and a panorama that stretches across six states".
Keeping the inflatable rats company at the 34th Street entrance of the Empire State Building are a fat cat and a pig wearing a top hat. The inflatables have been placed there by members of Laborers Local 79 which has maintained a daily picket at Empire State Building since the start of 2025.
