Newsletter for the Movement for Economic, Climate, and Racial Justice
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It’s been a crazy year, and we’re entering 2025 knowing that things might get even crazier (spoiler alert: they will). In these uncertain, strange, and dark times, it’s important to be real and honest about the state of our state: things are not looking good. But it's just as important and necessary to lift up our collective efforts to fight for a better, less crazy world. In our last newsletter of the year, we’re highlighting our sources of hope: groundbreaking legislation that will protect and empower workers, climate action that will make our communities healthier, and coalitions that build movements for the working class. Here are five big labor and climate wins to remind us that the hard work of organizing and coalition building pays off, and we must keep doing it. If these victories give you any glimmer of hope, please consider making a donation that will sustain our fight for economic, climate, and racial justice.
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Five Big Labor and
Climate Wins of 2024
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Warehouse Worker Injury Reduction Act
Signed Into Law!
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Big win for worker safety! Governor Hochul finally signed the Warehouse Worker Injury Reduction Act (WWIRA) into law. This is a huge deal. WWIRA will establish industry-wide safety standards, require annual safety evaluations of large warehouses at companies like Amazon for hazards and ergonomic fixes, improve training and medical care, and empower the Department of Labor to implement and enforce the law.
This bill becomes law just as the warehouse injury crisis reaches new heights. Total warehouse worker injuries in New York State increased 30% from 2022 to 2023, which means one in nine workers is getting hurt every year, up from one in 11 the previous year. Warehouse workers need WWIRA.
WWIRA was fought for and led by our New Yorkers for a Fair Economy coalition, a group of labor unions, small businesses, and immigrant and community organizations uniting to safeguard our state from the abusive practices of big corporations and achieve an economy that works for all New Yorkers. We also want to extend a special thank you to Senator Jessica Ramos and Assemblymember Harry Bronson for their leadership in the legislature. In a time of unbridled corporate power, we must hold corporations like Amazon accountable for their abusive practices. WWIRA is another tool our communities can use to keep workers safe and make warehouse work a sustainable job.
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A Growing Movement for
Higher Wages in New York
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Workers and legislators in upstate New York aren’t waiting for Governor Hochul to act on the cost of living crisis. Governor Hochul’s minimum wage deal in 2023 brings the minimum wage to $16 upstate and $17 downstate by 2026. Although any raise is good, this is simply not enough to deal with the skyrocketing rents, groceries, and utilities, especially for upstate workers who are being left behind with a lower minimum wage.
This past year, a local campaign composed of Raise Up NY coalition members in the Ithaca area pushed county legislators to vote 11-3 in favor of a resolution to evaluate gradually raising the local minimum wage. This sends a clear message that we must invest in working families to end our cost-of-living crisis. On top of local fights, the Raise Up NY coalition will continue to fight for the Upstate Parity and Minimum Wage Protection Act so there isn’t a geographic divide on the minimum wage in New York. Every day we see workers struggling even as company profits continue to rise. New York is joining a nationwide movement to fight for dignified wages no matter your zip code or line of work.
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We're Making Corporate Polluters Pay
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For too long, working New Yorkers have been footing the bill for the climate crisis. According to a report by NYPIRG, New York State taxpayers are paying $300 per household in climate costs; the burden for New York City taxpayers is an additional $562 per household. Thanks to the work of NYPIRG, with support from the NY Renews coalition, the Climate Change Superfund Act was signed into law, paving the way for fossil fuel corporations to pay for polluting our air and destroying our infrastructure. If implemented correctly, this act will give the state tens of billions of dollars to invest in the infrastructure we need to transition to a healthier, sustainable green economy. This is a historic win for the climate movement and the future of New York.
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Public Solar Power is Our Future
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The future is public solar! New York City’s public solar bill, Local Law 99, is officially in effect, after it passed in the City Council with bipartisan support this past September. Our Climate Works for All coalition is proud to support this climate and jobs bill championed by Council Member Sandy Nurse. With over 70% of dirty emissions coming from buildings, this Local Law 99 will move us toward a green economy, cut pollution, and create green union jobs by requiring the City to install solar panels on city-owned buildings like schools, government offices, public housing, and more, by 2035. We’re looking forward to ensuring that our City continues to invest in making our public buildings more sustainable and healthier, especially our public schools, through our Green Healthy Schools campaign.
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Retail Worker Protections
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New York’s retail workers are safer thanks to the Retail Worker Safety Act, fought for and won by our partners and board members the Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Union. The Retail Worker Safety Act requires corporate retail employers to adopt a violence prevention plan, train workers in de-escalation and active shooters, and install silent response buttons throughout the workplace. This law is a huge win to make retail work safe and sustainable.
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Photo credit: Sean DiSerio
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