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

The results of election season are paving promising paths forward for climate and worker justice this legislative session. At the same time, we are seeing shifts in New York’s political landscape that threaten the people’s agenda for climate and worker justice. Our coalitions are ready to hold our elected leaders accountable to raise the minimum wage, protect e-commerce workers, and make investments in climate infrastructure and green jobs. The passage of the Environmental Bond Act proves that there is major public support for climate action, and shows how climate, labor, and communities can come together to move New York toward a renewable energy future. When movements come together in coalition, we build toward bigger movements and bigger wins.

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Raise the Wage

Breezy Point in Far Rockaway after Hurricane Sandy. Photo credit: Mishella / Shutterstock.

Minimum wage workers have to work 111 hours a week to afford a one-bedroom in NYC. That’s unacceptable. That’s why this week, ALIGN launched a campaign to raise the minimum wage in New York. On Tuesday, our Raise Up NY coalition rallied with unions, businesses, and advocates to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the Fight for $15 and call for a new $21 minimum wage that catches up with rising prices. In 2016, New York led the nation as the first state to adopt a $15 minimum wage, but today, the real value of our minimum wage has plummeted as costs soar. New Yorkers shouldn’t be struggling to pay the rent, keep the lights on, and put food on the table. It’s time for us to lead the way once again. 

The Raise the Wage Act would increase wages for more than 2 million workers across the state and ensure that the minimum wage never falls behind again, with annual adjustments for rising prices. But we’re just getting started, and we need your support! Sign up for campaign updates to help us get this bill across the finish line and empower our state’s minimum wage workers to not just survive but thrive.

The Biggest Climate Campaign of the Year

On November 16th, hundreds rallied across eight regions statewide to launch the biggest people-powered climate campaign in New York. Together, we are fighting for the Climate, Justice, and Justice package (CJJP), a set of groundbreaking bills that will fulfill New York’s climate promises, invest in climate justice, tax the rich, and make polluters pay for poisoning our communities and planet. This package puts workers first by providing gold star labor standards that will combat the race to the bottom, delivering a just, green economy and a sustainable New York. Our massive campaign launch demonstrates that we have the grassroots power of labor, climate, and community groups to make it happen. And the overwhelming support for the Environmental Bond Act is proof that New Yorkers are eager for the climate investments that the CJJP provides. Let’s use this momentum to put New York at the forefront of climate action.

Leading the Charge

New York is #LeadingTheCharge! ALIGN joined Mayor Eric Adams to announce a historic investment for #GreenHealthySchools: $4 billion to fight the climate crisis by making all new schools 100% electric, creating healthier learning environments, and prioritizing Environmental Justice communities. Earlier this year, ALIGN released a report that became a blueprint for the City’s new program, demonstrating how we can equitably reduce pollution; create good-paying career jobs in clean energy; and prioritize children in communities most impacted by climate change. Here is what the program will do:

- The city will complete or initiate the conversion of 100 existing schools to all-electric heating by 2030.

- Install LED lighting in 800 schools.

- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 120,000 tons per year.

- The launch of a $13 million program to hire and train a group of skilled trades workers who will work to eliminate the No. 4 heating oil from school facilities.

- The equivalent of removing 26,000 cars from the road.

By investing in disadvantaged schools, we set the standard for cleaning up New York's buildings, phasing out fossil fuels, and creating career jobs in renewable energy.

ALIGN in the News

On the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, Executive Director Maritza Silva-Farrell and Henry Garrido, Executive Director of DC 37, published an op-ed in the New York Daily News highlighting the importance of investing in clean infrastructure and green jobs to protect New York’s future. 

The evidence is clear: New York City, Once a Minimum Wage Leader, Now Lags Behind. The New York Times reports on our fight to raise the wage and ensure it keeps up with rising prices. 

Alliance in Action

Teamsters Joint Council 16 - As Starbucks workers are on strike, a Teamsters driver who delivers liquor for the NYC Starbucks Roastery refused to cross the picket line to complete the delivery! Starbucks workers are on strike for better and safer working conditions. 

RWDSU - City of Hoboken’s part-time workers are fighting for their first raise in 3 years and holiday pay on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years! Support RWDSU Local 108: call the Hoboken Mayor’s office at (201)-420-2000 ext 1001 and urge them to bargain in good faith with part-time workers!

NYC Central Labor Council - Workers at a Starbucks-Amazon Go convenience store near Times Square filed a petition for a union election Friday. “We’re doing multiple different jobs for the same amount of wages as any other Starbucks worker. And that’s nonsense,” said a worker on The City.

Make the Road NY - Unfair medical bills and hidden fees should never stop New Yorkers from getting the health care they deserve. Take action today to help #EndMedicalDebt and advance health care justice in New York.

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