Dear John,
Today we accomplished what for many was considered an impossible task. Reforming the commercial waste industry means that we are valuing people over profits. Intro 1574-A protects the safety and dignity of private sanitation workers, reduces greenhouse emissions, makes our streets safer, and guarantees that our communities breath cleaner air. This work happens because we built a movement of workers and communities unafraid of transforming a system from the ground up. We are thankful to Speaker Corey Johnson and Council member Reynoso for carrying our vision forward by passing this critical legislation.
For the past six years, ALIGN has been working with our allies and the Transform Don’t Trash coalition to fight for a better, fairer, and safer private waste industry. Today marks a historic milestone in our campaign, none of which would have happened without grassroots support and organizing from community members, organizations, and small businesses that fought alongside us. You can continue to support us by making a contribution so we can continue our fight for worker and climate justice.
No longer will we treat our private sanitation workers like trash. This bill is a win for private waste workers who are currently subjected to a “race to the bottom” industry that stagnates and cuts wages. This legislation will provide higher labor standards with worker protections, trainings, and safer working conditions.
Today, there are over 90 private carting companies zig-zagging our streets, creating dangerous road conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. This bill will cut dangerous truck traffic by half. It will shorten collection routes which will allow workers to do their jobs in a safe and deliberate pace. New York City is now a step closer to safer streets.
Communities of color - neighborhoods like North Brooklyn, South Bronx, Southeast Queens, and Sunset Park - have too long been subjected to hundreds of trucks dumping tons of commercial waste in their communities. This bill will ensure less dumping on communities of color and more recycling of commercial waste. It will also require carters to transition to clean trucks which will cut dangerous air pollution.
Thank you for not being afraid to take the bold steps needed to build a just and sustainable society and fighting with ALIGN and the Transform Don’t Trash coalition for this victory toward worker and climate justice.
In solidarity,
Maritza Silva-Farrell
Executive Director
ALIGN
