Rallying to say “Neigh” to the Proposed Horse Carriage Ban

This week, hundreds of horse carriage supporters gathered at City Hall for an afternoon rally, supporting the workers and protesting Councilman Danny Dromm's measure to outlaw the iconic industry. The carriage drivers are members of Teamsters Local 553.
 
During the rally, MC'd by CLC President Vinny Alvarez, attendees heard from carriage drivers like Peter Wilson, Angel Hernandez, and Stephen Malone, who told about their love of their careers, and the importance of maintaining good jobs for working people. Labor leaders like George Miranda of Teamsters Joint Council 16 and Demos Demopoulos of Teamsters Local 553 joined with IAMAW District 15 Directing Business Representative James Conigliaro, and 32BJ Secretary Treasurer Kyle Bragg in expressing the importance of standing together to protect workers’ jobs. NYC Taxi Workers Alliance Executive Director Bhairavi Desai addressed the crowd about her dissatisfaction with green taxi medallions being offered as a bargaining tool, while waiting lists for the permits remain backlogged.
 
Speakers also included a number of elected officials who support the workers, including Queens Councilmembers Daneek Miller, Costa Constantinides, and Elizabeth Crowley, Brooklyn Councilmember Rafael Espinal, and Staten Island Councilmembers Vincent Ignizio and Steve Matteo.

The carriage drivers have the support of over 60% of the public, and supportive editorials have been printed in a number of the city’s mainstream media publications.