Friends,
On Friday, I joined the New York Taxi Workers Association (NYTWA) in their ongoing protest for debt relief. Check it out:
(I’m towards the left, with my fist in the air.)
If you are not fully aware of this situation and would like more information before adding your support, please read on.
Taxi workers in New York City are required to pay out of pocket for a “medallion,” or permit to operate. About a decade ago, the cost of a medallion became artificially inflated, and some workers paid close to $1 million to operate their taxis, wiping out their entire savings.
Years later, these workers are still suffering the consequences of trying to make a living. No amount of work will help them escape their debts, and thousands have filed for bankruptcy.
It is the mayor’s responsibility to clear these workers’ debts so that they can move on with their lives and support themselves and their families.
In March, the city announced a plan to provide some debt relief for taxi workers, but it doesn’t go nearly far enough, offering up to $29,000 for each worker. $29,000 barely scratches the surface for an individual who has hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt.
The NYTWA is now asking for the debt relief plan to be restructured so that no worker will owe the city more than $145,000, with monthly payments capped at $800. In my opinion, this is the least that the mayor can do to protect taxi workers at this juncture. If you agree, please:
Add your name here to say that you support striking taxi workers as they fight for debt relief.
I am proud to stand with organized labor today and every day.
Thank you for reading,
Alessandra
Paid For By The Committee To Elect Alessandra Biaggi
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