A group of lawmakers and union representatives held a rally on Thursday to oppose a proposed relocation of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offices from New York City to New Jersey. The plan would move approximately 465 employees from the Manhattan-based New York District office and the Brooklyn-based North Atlantic Division office to a new headquarters, with Newark, Hoboken, and Jersey City listed as potential locations. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the review of facilities is intended to ensure the effective stewardship of taxpayer funds.
The International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Local 98, which represents the affected workers, reported that 45% of surveyed employees said they would resign if the move occurs. Union officials and local representatives, including New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, stated that the relocation would increase transit and childcare costs for workers. Democratic congressional nominee Brad Lander alleged that the move is an effort to reduce the federal workforce, while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintained that the transition will not impact mission execution.
Both Democratic and Republican members of New York’s congressional delegation have sent letters to the administration requesting a reconsideration of the move. While management had an initial planned move date of August 15, IFPTE Local 98 President Daniel Kim noted that a lease must be signed by July 31 to comply with the 14-day requirement under the Congressional Review Act. A spokesperson for the Army Corps of Engineers confirmed on Thursday that no lease has been signed yet.