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Stand in Solidarity with Federal Gov’t Unions
NYC Council Hearing Focuses on Protecting Worker Rights
On Wednesday, February 23, the New York City Council Committee on Civil Service and Labor held its first hearing of 2022, with a focus on how the City can take preventative measures including, but not limited not to enhancing worker protection requirements in City contracts, effective policy mechanisms to combat worker mistreatment, and stronger enforcement of workplace standards. The Committee, which is chaired by Councilmember Carmen de la Rosa, listened to several hours of testimony via Zoom by dozens of labor leaders, worker advocates, and workers themselves. “This Council has the opportunity to pass laws that will directly and immediately improve the lives of our city’s workers, and the CLC and our affiliates look forward to working with Chair de la Rosa and all of our elected representatives to advance those efforts," said NYC CLC President Vincent Alvarez, who testified about the overall status of New York City's workers, the impact of the pandemic, and the responsibility of city government to assist workers' efforts to improve their conditions and fulfill the original intent of the National Labor Relations Act to encourage collective bargaining.p
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Workers’ Rights Stand in Solidarity with Federal Gov’t Unions!
While President Joe Biden’s appointments to the NLRB and the DOL work to promote pro-labor policies, federal workers are still dealing with Trump’s anti-worker appointees. The Federal Labor Relations Authority and Merit Systems Protection Board, federal agencies tasked with protecting the rights of federal workers, continue to carry on the former president's assault on workers’ rights. One such attack involves the National Association of Immigration Judges, part of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE). The Trump appointees voted to take away the Immigration Judges’ bargaining rights – a right they’ve had since the '70s and under six presidents. Despite opposition from the Department of Justice, Biden Administration, and an appellate court decision, the FLRA continues to deny the union members their rights. Action is needed NOW on President Biden’s nominees to the Federal agencies, which are stuck in the Senate. Take action by telling the Senate to confirm the President’s nominees. p
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Constuction Deaths/ continued from page 1 Across New York State overall, the construction fatality rate increased from 10.2 per 100,000 workers to 11.1, or a 9% increase. In 2020, construction worker deaths accounted for 24% of all worker deaths in New York State, while nationally they comprised 21% of all worker deaths. In New York City, the construction fatality rate decreased for the first time after three years of consistent increases, yet remains above the national average, accounting for 22% of worker fatalities. While more long-term data are needed to determine the causes behind this decrease, the construction slowdown caused by the pandemic likely played a role. The report also found that, in 2020, OSHA conducted the lowest number of inspections in the agency’s history. This is also likely a result of the construction shutdown, but more analysis is needed to determine how this historic drop in oversight will set back efforts to safeguard worksites in subsequent years. Latinx construction workers continue to be disproportionately likely to die on the job in New York State. In 2020, Latino workers made up 18% of worker fatalities while they comprised only 10% of the state population. The report also found that non-union job sites remain especially dangerous for workers, with 79% of worker deaths taking place on non-union worksites. “New York should be a national leader in worker safety, but the data reveal that we continue to lead the nation in construction worker fatalities, despite COVID-19 shutdowns. Lawmakers must protect and expand safety regulations to hold negligent contractors and companies accountable when they endanger workers. While we are fortunate to have many strong protections on the books –such as the scaffold safety law – we still need stiffer consequences, and I urge lawmakers to act,” said Charlene Obernauer, NYCOSH Executive Director. “This report makes clear that much more must be done to ensure that the safety of workers remains the number one priority on all construction sites across New York,” said Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. “The rate of construction fatalities in New York is unacceptable, and it’s critical that decision makers continue to advance measures that bring the operation of all construction sites in line with the safety standards and protocols required at union construction sites. I urge lawmakers to continue to defend the state’s scaffold safety law, increase oversight and enact stiffer penalties against bad actors.” “It is unconscionable that corrupt contractors and irresponsible companies profit at the expense of immigrant workers’ safety,” said Diana Moreno, Interim Executive Director of New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE). “Latinx and nonunion workers must be able to make a living while staying alive. Community organizations like NICE train and educate workers to stay safe, but without stronger regulations, our efforts are not enough. We need the support and leadership of New York lawmakers to end this epidemic of fatalities in construction.” Lawmakers must enshrine greater protections into law to ensure that every construction worker can trust that they will survive to go home to their families every day.”
Other key findings include: sOSHA construction fines for fatality cases increased for the 5th year in a row. sOSHA issued fewer press releases in 2021. sContractors’ OSHA violations coincide with construction worker fatalities, but violations do not prevent contractors from receiving government subsidies.
To address rising construction fatalities across New York State, NYCOSH recommends the following measures in the report: sRequire construction training and certification for New York State’s construction workers sPreserve New York’s Scaffold Safety Law sPass Carlos’ Law to increase penalties against criminal contractors sExpand criminal prosecutions of contractors statewide sUse existing city power to suspend or revoke licenses and construction permits for criminal contractors sDouble OSHA’s budget sOSHA must issue a permanent infectious disease standard for all workers, including its own sIncrease funding to the New York City Department of Buildings sMandate subsidy procurement reform and responsible contracting in New York State and New York City sProtect Latino and immigrant workers proactively
The construction fatality data do not include the many construction workers that perished due to on-the-job exposure to COVID or other occupational illnesses. p
Family: The True Modern Relationship Child Tax Credit: Marriage, Divorce and Custody Questions
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Parents who married in 2021 It is possible that as a result of a marriage in 2021, a family will be eligible for a smaller or larger Child Tax Credit than the IRS had estimated based on your previous information. Families will be eligible to claim any Child Tax Credit amount they are eligible for over the amount of any monthly Child Tax Credit payments received last year when they file their 2021 tax return during the 2022 tax filing season.
Parents who separated, share custody, or alternate claiming dependents If you did not receive advance monthly Child Tax Credit payments in 2021, you may still be entitled to the full amount of the credit. Even if someone else received payments for the child in 2021, if the qualifying child lived with you for most of 2021 then you may be eligible to claim the full amount of the credit.
Monthly payments The IRS estimated and directed monthly payments based on 2019 and 2020 tax information that may not have accurately reflected circumstances in 2021. If someone else rightfully claimed a child on their 2019 or 2020 taxes who is a qualifying child for you in 2021, they may have received monthly Child Tax Credit payments based on those previous years’ claims. However, this will not impact the amount of benefit you are eligible to claim for the Child Tax Credit in 2021. If you rightfully claim a qualifying child for purposes of the Child Tax Credit in 2021, then you will receive the full amount of the Child Tax Credit for which you are eligible, even if someone else received advance payments for that child in 2021.p
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NYC’s Labor & the New Mayor/continued from page 1 significant crises to tackle — "COVID 19 lingering pandemic, crime, and economic devastation". He inherited the trio problems from the former Mayor, Bill de Blasio, alongside over 300,000 full-time city employees and a running budget of more than $100 billion. The number and high cost, among other issues related to labor, has been an area of dissatisfaction with Mayor Eric Adams. The chief executive inherited one of the country's largest municipal workforces, which he feels is not delivering to their maximum capacity. This perception contributed to the strained relationship between him and the NYC labor. A few experts gathered to discuss the prospect of NYC workers post-pandemic, explicitly looking at NYC Labor and the New Mayor. This topic should be of interest to New Yorkers as the Mayor gradually settles into his role and becomes more deliberate in his approach over the next four years of his tenure. The meeting was sponsored by the City University of New York's (CUNY) School of Labor and Urban Studies and the Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Professor Emeritus Joshua Freeman moderated it. Several issues were discussed, including the Mayor's Vision for NYC.
Relationship with Labor In response to the question of the Mayor's relationship with labor, it appears the relationship is somewhat civil. Despite the backlash from work in the early days of his resuming office, he commented on 'lowskill workers.' Nicole Gelinas, a columnist at the New York Post and one of the panelists, says labor is not one of his primary concerns at the moment. "Public Sector labor is not one of the areas he considers a crisis." Suggesting that he is not focusing on addressing any significant issues linked to the sector. Another panel member considers the Mayor to support labor and aligns with it. Jeffrey C. May, a metro reporter at The New York Times, says, "Politically speaking, Mayor Adams has tried to associate himself with labor. He will often say, 'I am one of you,' and the image he projects is that of -the bluecollar Mayor- a working man." Yet, the third panelist, Richard Steier, the Editor-in-Chief at the Chief-Leader, feels that the Mayor is still taking his time to learn about the issues within the sector.
Collective Bargaining The next point of interest was assessing the Mayor's 'collective bargaining' stand, a critical issue that affects working people. The process involves workers' unions, negotiating contracts with employers to determine terms of employment for its members. The panelist claims that most unions are optimistic despite the lack of evidence.
Men in Uniform Richard Steier says, "It is hard to say at the moment because there is an ongoing arbitration with the Police Benevolent Association (PBA)." While Gelinas says there is interest in seeing what will happen, "What Mayor Adams does with the issue of inflation will be interesting to see." The panel then addressed the relationship between the Mayor and men in uniform. The experts seem divided in thinking mayor Adams will manage the group. While some advocates are concerned about the Mayor's closeness, a few believe he won't give the group any preferential treatment or consideration. May explains, "There are some concerns from the advocates on the Mayor's closeness to men in uniform. They are concerned that such closeness will lead to policies the City wants to move away from. There is the concern that certain policies will affect people". However, Steier says, "The government will rarely be able to give a preference to a union." On the other hand, Gelinas raised the existing problematic situation, the fallout from the previous administration's collective bargaining, which has to be addressed under the new Mayor. "The issue of the correction officers and unlimited sick time was given as part of the collective bargaining. she explained. "They have to repurchase them. The City has locked itself into unnecessary negotiation ".
Mandates Professor Freeman then asked the role of unionism in responding to government mandates - like the government's demand for employees to get vaccinated. There appears to be a varied reaction. Some claim some issues will go beyond the Mayor's jurisdiction, and there will be others within his power to effect a change. However, it will all need negotiations. According to May, "…with the union, what they want to see is the use of 'bargaining' subject to negotiation". "It is going to be a bargaining issue," says Gelinas, "the MTA is one of such areas that will have a bigger effect, and some of these are outside his control."
Medicare Advancement Also discussed is the City's plan to move some of its retirees to Medicare advancement, to which the panelists feel there is no clear direction. "It is important he takes a step
Editorial credit: a katz / Shutterstock.com
back and looks at the situation," Gelinas says, "From city workers' perspective, they are being promised something that has no funds to be fulfilled." "It's unclear if the Mayor will make any changes since there hasn't been much focus on this. But I do know the concerns are real. We will have to wait over a couple of months to see if the Mayor will do anything, "says May.
New York’s Recovery It is well known that for New York to recover, it must maintain economic competitiveness and continue its goal of supporting its most vulnerable citizens. Thus, city services must be delivered with high-quality efficiency and affordability and accomplished through the fiscal budget, which appears to be experiencing a crunch as observed by the group. They claim that how the Mayor will react is yet to be seen. However, they all think it is a delicate situation that needs to be tackled with caution as the pandemic has changed a lot of things. Therefore, laying people off will not be a wise option. Instead, the Mayor has to consider a comprehensive economic development program that addresses inequality because of its impact on public safety, education, and safety. "It is striking that the Mayor hasn't talked about inequality. Jobs like retail, restaurant, office support jobs are all missing. They all fit into addressing his public safety mandate. Until the Mayor figures this issue out, it is difficult to have an economic plan," says Gelinas. "People need some sense of safety," says Steier , while May says, "The Mayor hasn't said much about the issue. The focus has been so much on crime. I think the Mayor has some work to do. He wants to fix some parts of the educational system. He speaks about inequality broadly. He can increase opportunities by bringing in new companies and creating new communities".
Technology, Cryptocurrency, Marijuana & Appointees The panelists also expressed diverse reactions to the Mayor's stand on technology, cryptocurrency, marijuana, and top appointees of his administration. Responses ranged from concern over the absence of a clear plan for workforce development to the Mayor's support for cryptocurrency. They stood on marijuana, especially on its impact on smaller organizations. Over his appointees, they claim his selection has been positive, especially "…in picking people with the right background in health and education, but there is concern on his level of involvement with managing the police". May noted that "He values loyalty, he has people around him that he trusts, it might be interesting to see if it will be a good or bad thing."
Final Thoughts As final thoughts, the panelist recommends that the Mayor focuses on executing his City's long-term plan. Instead of addressing the short term, the daily crisis surfaces. "Eric Adams ran a striking campaign. He is prepared to inspire people. Now is the time to get into the process of governance," says Steier. According to May, "This is a precarious time for the city," he says. "He has been present, but in the long run, he has to be specific about how he will accomplish some of the goals. So far, he has done a good job, but people want to see the plan in the long run." p
No. 34
Landlords Wage Crusade Against ‘Good Cause’ Anti-Eviction Bill
BY CLIFFORD MICHEL, ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY JOSEFA VELASQUEZ, THE CITY
The real estate industry is pushing back on a state bill that would limit rent hikes and ensure lease renewals for over a million tenants — launching a house-to-house phone campaign to rally the public against the protections. A new group called Homeowners for an Affordable New York is calling city households and warning of dire consequences if the “Good Cause” anti-eviction measure becomes law. After delivering the message warning of higher rents and higher property taxes, operators name the bill — A5573 — and offer to transfer the phone call directly to their state lawmaker’s office. “We need to stop this bill,” said one operator who called Friday in Brooklyn to a landline in the district served by Assemblymember and Brooklyn Democratic Party leader Rodneyse Bichotte. “May we connect you with Assemblymember Bichotte’s office?” State lobbying records show the group retained lobbyist George Fontas last month, paying $1.4 million. Homeowners for an Affordable New York filings with the state Joint Commission on Public Ethics don’t say who is bankrolling the phone calls. But in its most recent
Dozens of housing advocates marched to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Midtown office, Jan. 14, 2022. Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY
monthly newsletter, the Rent Stabilization Association of NYC, a major landlord group, claimed credit for the effort along with “various statewide industry leaders,” calling it “one of the most robust public relations campaigns in the history of our industry.” On Wednesday, after this story was first published, the group released a list of 14 members, which include: the Real Estate Board of New York, New York State Association of Realtors, New York State Builders Association and the Small Property Owners of New York. The group said it conducted polling on the issue late last year to craft the message. In addition to phone calls, RSA also plans to pay for mailers as well as digital and radio ads. The effort is expected to last at least until June, but RSA said in its newsletter: “Should we need to continue this effort beyond the end of the legislative session in June, our coalition is prepared to do that.” Fontas referred calls to campaign spokesperson Ross M. Wallenstein, who provided a statement to THE CITY.
Divorce and Foreclosure: What You Need to Know
BY VICTORIA FALK
What do you do when "I do" turns into "I don't," and you can no longer stand to be in the presence of the person that you imagined you would spend the rest of your life with? You vowed to be together "…for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health…." However, the sight of this person now 'makes you sick,' and you wonder if things can get any worse. Divorce becomes inevitable. Divorce can be devastating, as two people who legally joined their lives together return to living separate lives. Gone are the hopes and dreams of "forever," and in many cases, there may be a loss of income. As a result of divorce, individuals who enjoyed, in many cases, shared savings and shared living expenses are now faced with the challenge of maintaining a household without the same level benefit of financial person is designated as responsible for making mortgage payments. This can put financial stress on the individual making mortgage payments, especially if there are missed spousal support payments. The stress that the divorce process brings ( both emotional and financial), along with impaired communication, can also mean missed mortgage payments," found Citywide Home Loans. However, divorce does not have to lead to foreclosure. There are things for the divorcing couple to consider. According to AllLaw, "A couple going through foreclosure at the same time they are going through a divorce should be aware of several issues such as: Who is responsible for the remaining debt on the home? How will the debt be repaid? What will happen to the house?" They may decide that one spouse may 'become the sole owner' of the property, or if neither of them
assistance from another person that was previously received. It may be a financial challenge for one spouse to purchase the house from the other or maintain the full responsibility of taking care of the homeowner's expenses on their own. The relationship between the divorce rate and the foreclosure rate is evident, with the foreclosure rate increasing as the divorce rate increases. According to a study conducted by Citywide Home Loans, divorce is one of the most common foreclosure causes. "Frequently, divorce means that one continued on page 4 continued on page 3
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Agents also know what to look for when you’re walking through the house. You may not notice a slight hump in the floor, but an experienced agent will and knows to ask the owner what caused it. They know possible issues to look for and questions to ask depending on the neighborhood (traffic patterns, persistent noises, if a family of raccoons lives nearby, and what electricity usage is like). Your agent works for you, so do your homework and find one you’re comfortable with. You can ask for recommendations and check online reviews. The buyer’s agent is paid through the sale of the home, not out of your pocket. We are happy to help and share our insight and experience to help you with the real estate investing process. Schedule an appointment today. Call 888-670-6791. n
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‘Good Cause’ Anti-Eviction Bill/ continued from page 1 “Homeowners for an Affordable New York is an organization working collaboratively with property owners advocating that policymakers ensure fair and equitable solutions to practical issues in housing and real estate that affect every single New Yorker, no matter where and how they live,” he wrote.
Local Laws Upstate The anti-eviction bill prevents tenants from being evicted by landlords for unpaid rent following an “unreasonable” rent increase, defined as exceeding 3% or 1.5 times the Consumer Price Index for the region. It also gives tenants the right to a lease renewal in most cases. Progressive state lawmakers have introduced Good Cause bills in past sessions and gone nowhere. But in recent years, Good Cause legislation has gained momentum. Recently, localities in New York State have passed their own Good Cause laws, including Poughkeepsie, Albany, Hudson and Newburgh. Other states, including California, have also passed their own versions of Good Cause, but typically with higher limits on rent increases than proposed in New York. On Monday, Mayor Eric Adams said he supports the concept behind the bill, though he has not weighed in on the measure itself. Dozens of politicians, most from New York City, came out in support of the bill in an open letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul in January. Hochul hasn’t publicly opposed or come out in support of the bill. A spokesperson for the governor didn’t address where she currently stands, instead pointing to her broader record on housing, including pandemic aid. “Governor Hochul has taken decisive action to protect tenants — from breaking the Emergency Rental Assistance logjam, to investing $25 million in free legal services for tenants, to proposing a series of bold, achievable measures in her Executive Budget that address longstanding housing inequities — including an additional $35 million for the Eviction Protection Legal Assistance Program,” said Jim Urso, a spokesperson for Hochul, in a statement. “We will continue to work closely with the legislature and members of the advocacy community to protect vulnerable New Yorkers and keep tenants in their homes,” Urso continued. Hochul’s lack of a stance on the issue puts her in between her two Democratic primary opponents, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who supports the bill, and Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-L.I.), who opposes it. Williams’ campaign said it was crucial that Good Cause become law. “New York is on the brink of an eviction crisis now that the governor has allowed the moratorium to lapse, and Good Cause legislation will help protect tenants from wrongful evictions,” William Gerlich, a spokesperson for Williams, told THE CITY. “Last week Jumaane was upstate advocating for the importance of this legislation, and will continue to do so until the bill gets passed.”
Optimism in Senate State Sen. Julia Salazar (D-Brooklyn), who authored the bill, said that she doesn’t believe that the opposition campaign will slow down the bill’s likelihood of passage. “It really is unfortunate that the real estate lobby is able to spend excessive amounts of money to defeat this legislation, but they were not successful in doing that in 2019 when we expanded the insurance and the rent laws for rent regulated tenants,” said Salazar. “I really believe that ultimately New Yorkers are smarter than the bigmoney real estate PACs want to believe.” The bill, once viewed as unlikely to pass, has picked up momentum in recent months as a potential follow-up to New York’s pandemic eviction moratorium, which expired last month. Several rallies in New York City have aimed at pushing Hochul to sign the bill. Supporters of the Good Cause proposal, like opponents, are targeting members of the Assembly, seeing the Senate as already likely to pass the bill. “The Senate is basically ready to go and we’re building support in the Assembly,” said Cea Weaver, a campaign coordinator for Housing Justice for All. She highlighted pockets of support — including areas of the state that, unlike New York City, lack an existing rent regulation system. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, she added, “really cares about his members and in particular he really cares about The Bronx. Every single member of The Bronx delegation, except for one member, is signed onto the bill. And we’re growing support in upstate New York and we’re growing support in Long Island.”n
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who is also running for governor, speaks at housing rally, Jan. 14, 2022. Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY
This story was published by on February 16, 2022 by THE CITY.
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Divorce and Foreclosure/ continued from page 1
wants the house, …they can attempt a short sale or deed in lieu of foreclosure. If one spouse will take over the property and the mortgage, that spouse can then apply on their own for a modification or refinance." Most divorcing couples cannot communicate on the level needed to come to a compromise regarding the home and the mortgage on their own due to the deterioration of their marital relationship. As a matter of fact, it is not uncommon for one spouse to want the other "to get out of the house" and/or to accuse the other person of wanting to miss required mortgage payments to spite the other spouse intentionally. Thus, increasing the likelihood of foreclosure. An experienced divorce attorney and real estate expert, such as Mr. Brian Figeroux, of Figeroux and Associates, can assist those going through a divorce who are also facing foreclosure. Missed mortgage payments and foreclosure can affect your credit history years after the divorce. So, know your rights and responsibilities. If you or someone you know is in the process of divorce and facing foreclosure, then it is a critical time to speak to a lawyer. Visit www.AskTheLawyer.us to get expert legal advice today. n
Call Equity Smart Realty at 888-670-6791 for a FREE consultation. HOME OWNERSHIP Tips to Help You Get Rid of Basement Mold
BY CHRIS TOBIAS
If a musty scent rises from the basement, mold is present. Mold gathers in damp places with poor airflow and damages soft furnishings, like curtains and carpets, and grows on walls. Patches of mold release spores, and they are health hazards. It wrecks wood and rots material, and creates a musty stink that's difficult to oust without sorting out the cause of the problem. You can identify a basement with mold because any soft furnishings stored there will be damp and musty. Mold thick enough to write in could show on wooden areas and walls. Or, subtle mold patches will grow in the wettest areas, like basement nooks. Unfortunately, just airing the basement is inadequate, although helpful to an extent. You must remove the mold, as it won't go away without attention.
Mold remover Bleach sometimes removes mold. But remember, it is toxic, and a safer product might be more effective. Such agents, unlike bleach, often leave a helpful film that lasts years after application. If you opt for bleach, however, wear a mask. Also, air the room as you work. Keep pets and children away from the basement as it dries, too. Dehumidifier You could get rid of dampness caused by flooding with a powerful, industrial dehumidifier, which will purge mold spores plus other air-based pollutants while drying the basement and aiding air circulation. A less powerful dehumidifier used often can reduce general dampness. However, you need to remove the cause of damp, otherwise you face an ongoing problem. Check for leaky pipes, wet soil against your home's foundation, water heater leakage, and condensation.
Soft furnishings Dry and clean soft furnishings and get rid of rotten ones. A dehumidifier will help remove dampness, but you still need to oust the musty smell. If washing them with regular washing powder in a washing machine doesn't do the trick, add one part vodka to two parts water and spray your furnishings. The concoction gets rid of the musty odor in vintage clothes and may work on other fabrics, too. Remove basement mold; otherwise, it will spread and impact your entire home. Also, it may damage your health. Sneezing, breathing problems, headaches, and congestion are common symptoms of mold exposure. It also exacerbates asthma. Combat basement molds fast and stop them from traveling through your home and injuring your health. Discover the cause, fix it, maximize air circulation, and dry the area. n
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