We are aware of the untold devastation and destruction caused by the earthquake in Haiti. Although 1500 miles away, the effects of this tragedy are felt in our own homes through the suffering of our Haitian friends, neighbors, families, and members.
The NYC Central Labor Council stands with its affiliates and members, not only saddened by this disaster, but also committed to doing all that we can to aid in the relief effort. On Thursday, January 14th, our Executive Board, in response to the massive earthquake's destruction, human tragedy and unimaginable devastation, set up a fund to directly benefit the workers, victims, and families of the Haitian community.
As time and resources are of the essence, to most effectively aid survivors, please send a donation as soon as possible. Please make checks payable to:
NYC Central Labor Council Haitian Disaster Relief Fund 275 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor New York, NY 10001
We greatly appreciate your support for the people of Haiti in their time of need.
**Contributions or gifts to the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.
Now that 2010 has arrived, we are hopeful that this New Year brings with it lots of new optimism and opportunities. It is also our hope that true health care reform will be achieved.
The bill that passed the Senate with such fanfare on Christmas Eve, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009, would impose a confiscatory 40 percent excise tax on so-called Cadillac health plans. It's a tax that in a few years will hammer millions of middle-class policyholders, forcing them to scale back their access to medical care.
Genuine health care reform must not tax the hard-earned benefits of the American worker. That would be a step in the wrong direction. Real health care reform must make insurance companies accountable, force employers to pay their fair share, and assure that all Americans can get the health care they need via a public option.
These are some of the hope-filled changes for which we will be fighting in the coming days. Working people cannot accept anything less. It is time for Congress to step up and stand up.
Legislation to Provide Medical Care and Compensation to Those Sick with World Trade Center Illnesses
At a press conference today in New York City, labor and political leaders joined with first responders to the World Trade Center attacks. They called for immediate passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (HR. 847/S.1334).
The legislation would provide medical care and compensation for those who are sick with World Trade Center illnesses, including first responders who came to New York from every state and nearly all Congressional districts in the nation. Read More...
Workers across our city, state, and county, now more than ever need the Employee Free Choice Act. The New York City Central Labor Council strongly supports the passage of this legislation which was introduced and supported by a bipartisan coalition of Congress.
More specifically the Act would offer three main provisions:
Guarantee the freedom and rights of workers to collective bargaining through majority sign-up without the fear, delay, and coercion in our current system.
Set up of a neutral process that requires employers to come to the table to negotiate a first contract.
Increase penalties for illegal conduct by companies and provide more effective and expeditious remedies for workers when companies violate the law.
Joining together in a union to bargain for health care, pensions, fair wages and better working conditions is the best opportunity working people have to get ahead.
Today, good jobs are vanishing and health care coverage and retirement security are slipping out of reach. Only 38 percent of the public says their families are getting ahead financially and less than a quarter believes the next generation will be better off.
But workers who belong to unions earn 28 percent more than nonunion workers. They are 52 percent more likely to have employer-provided health coverage and nearly three times more likely to have guaranteed pensions.
All workers should have the freedom to decide for themselves whether to form unions to bargain for a better life. Read more…
At a press conference today in New York City, labor and political leaders joined with first responders to the World Trade Center attacks. They called for immediate passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act (HR. 847/S.1334).
