Newsletter for the Movement for Economic, Climate, and Racial Justice

It’s really hot out. In fact, it’s the hottest it’s ever been. And in the face of extreme heat and unprecedented corporate power, it has never been more true that climate justice is a worker justice issue. This summer, warehouse workers face a double burden. Dangerous quotas, constant surveillance, and long hours lead to high turnover, soaring injury rates, and sometimes death. All of this in sweltering warehouses. Each of the last 12 months have been the hottest on record, and it was only this past month that OSHA proposed the first ever federal workplace heat standard. These labor and climate injustices are only exacerbated during Amazon Prime Day, the time of year where injuries spike for warehouse workers. It’s time to build the coalitions that can meet this moment of intersectional crises. There is power in our coalitions because it brings the best of our movements together, including the labor and climate movement. We can do more, fight more, win more, together.

Help Defend NYC’s Strongest Climate Law: New York City's strongest climate law is in danger. A new bill, Intro 772, has been introduced in the City Council which could weaken NYC’s Dirty Buildings Law. Take Action to say #NOto772!

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Together, we can win a stronger, more resilient New York in 2024. Please consider donating to ALIGN so we can continue building coalitions fighting for economic, climate, and racial justice.

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Tompkins County Push to Raise The Wage

The Raise The Wage Coalition rallying in Albany for a higher minimum wage.

Workers in Tompkins County can’t afford to wait for Albany to act on the cost-of-living crisis happening across New York, especially upstate. With support from our Raise Up NY coalition, Tompkins County legislators took matters into their own hands and introduced a resolution to explore raising the local minimum wage. This local action will make a big splash in the movement to #RaiseTheWage.

In 2023, New York raised the minimum wage to reach $16 upstate by 2026, a dollar less than downstate. This is simply not enough to tackle the skyrocketing costs for rent, childcare, groceries, transportation, and healthcare. As inflation rose 10%, wages only rose 4% in Tompkins County.

According to Cornell, roughly 19,000 workers in Tompkins County earn wages under the living wage. That’s nearly 40% of Tompkins County workers. By raising the wage, we can lift Tompkins County workers out of poverty and ensure they can afford rent, food, and other necessities amid rampant inflation. This is not only good for Tompkins County workers but for all New Yorkers who want a fair, dignified wage.

NYC’s Climate Budget Falls Short Amidst

Heat Waves and Air Pollution

Daily heat waves and air pollution advisories are signs that everything is not okay. This year, we fought for #GreenHealthySchools so students, teachers, and school staff can work and learn in a climate resilient and sustainable building. Our coalition also fought to ensure that NYC’s Dirty Buildings law (also known as Local Law 97) is equitably implemented and properly resourced so we can cut building pollution and create green jobs.

How did our City leaders respond? With the final budget agreement out, we are encouraged to see Mayor Adams and the City Council secure 36 staff positions for Local Law 97. These resources are key for continued implementation of sustainability and resiliency upgrades in City buildings. However, we are disheartened that no climate investments were made in our public schools. In times of crisis, our schools are vital, serving as cooling centers for the city. But they must be resilient safe havens year-round, and need urgent investment to update their aging infrastructure.

The climate clock is ticking. Our City must approach the climate crisis with more urgency and pave the way to a healthier, safer climate future for working families.