March 16, 2022

Some major pushback today to compel Governor Hochul to extend the HERO Act beyond scheduled expiration on 3/17.  

FYI happening today.
HERO ACT TOWN HALL: On the eve of Governor Hochul’s deadline to extend pandemic protections for workers, the New York Essential Workers Coalition will hold a State of the Worker townhall to reflect on the toll that COVID has taken on workers and the need for full funding and enforcement of workplace protections.  With the recent rollback of mask and vaccination mandates, essential workers are calling on Governor Hochul and the New York State Department of Health to extend the protections of the NY HERO Act, passed in 2021 to require COVID-safe workplaces. The protections are set to expire on March 17th. The coalition is also calling for $50 million to be dedicated in the state budget being voted on later this month to fully enforce the act and educate workers about their rights. 

7PM, Wednesday, March 16
Zoom. bit.ly/nyhero316

Panelists including a laundry worker, Los Deliveristas Unidos leader, Meredith Union member, and Starbucks worker, MC’ed by Assemblymember Karines Reyes, bill sponsor. NYC workers from industries including healthcare, sanitation, warehousing, construction, laundromats, retail, and nail salons. Essential Worker Coalition Members including ALIGN; New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health; Teamsters Joint Council 16; Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU); New York State Nurses Association; UFCW Locals 1500 and 2013; Workers United; New York News Guild; Food Chain Workers Alliance; The Legal Aid Society; New York Communities for Change; Los Deliveristas Unidos; Laundry Workers Center; New York Immigration Coalition.