AFL-CIO and COLA Restrictions

March 18, 2024

About 10 days ago the NYS Council changed our COLA letter on our website (in our Advocacy Center) to reflect the need for the final enacted COLA to be ‘clean’ – without any restrictions as to how providers can use the funds.  And then the Assembly and Senate one-house budget bills came out with COLA proposals that restrict use of these funds to wages and salaries for direct care workers, direct support professionals and clinical staff (non-executive).   See below for an email the AFL-CIO put out to its members and other supporters this morning. 

We will continue to fight for a flexible COLA that allows providers to utilize these scarce resources for wages and salaries AND for operating expenses.

Thank you to all NYS Council members that provided me with examples of the major operating cost increases you have experienced over the past few years on Friday night.  I sent it (without attribution) to the Governor’s Office on Friday night.  

As 3-way budget negotiations move forward we will continue to arm the Executive and any other lawmakers that stand with us, with useful information in the fight for a flexible COLA while educating and re-educating other lawmakers as to the realities you face each day as you try to make ends meet. 

———- Forwarded message ———
From: New York State AFL-CIO <information@nysaflcio.org>
Date: Mon, Mar 18, 2024 at 9:50 AM
Subject: PETITION: Stand With Underpaid Direct Support Workers


 Direct Support Professionals are the backbone of New York, yet they are significantly underpaid and undervalued. As of January 2023, 40% of the State’s direct care workers live in poverty or close to it. The Governor has proposed a 1.5% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in this year’s budget, which is not enough. To make matters worse, there is a loophole in COLA that has allowed providers to fund other parts of the agency, such as paying parking tickets or purchasing a car, instead of helping direct care workers. The Governor and Legislature must enact a 3.2% COLA for Direct Support Professionals in this year’s budget and close the loophole to ensure that the funds are used as intended. Will you sign this petition to show your support?

SIGN THE PETITION

Direct Support Professionals have an important but difficult job that is made even more challenging by the staffing shortages that result from low wages in the industry. The State must include a fair COLA in the 2024-25 State Budget.