Workers' World Today - Issue 20

May 2021 INSIDE

Trump’s Health Insurance Visa Ban Revoked... 18

Getting Started with Advance Planning... 23

Raising Big Dreamers... 10

Issue #20

Support for Gig Worker Union Bill in New York Collapsing After Scrutiny

Employees are Feeling Burned Over Broken Work-from-home Promises and Corporate Culture ‘BS’

BY JOSEFA VELASQUEZ & CLAUDIA IRIZARRY APONTE THE CITY

T

he fate of a state proposal that would allow some app-based gig workers to join a union is in doubt after key players, including a collective of food delivery workers, came out against the measure Tuesday.

Los Deliveristas Unidos — a group of mainly immigrant food delivery couriers — and service workers union 32BJ SEIU announced they oppose the effort, which would grant

i

Delivery worker Sergio Ajche addresses the crowd at Foley Square.

Claudia Irizarry Aponte/THE CITY

workers some bargaining power but shop short of reclassifying them as employees entitled to full labor rights.

The delivery group declared

itself “opposed to any legislative proposal that is pre-negotiated without delivery workers’ input, and that directly continued on page 7

Hot Topics and News You Should Know About

BY KIMBERLY MERRIMAN, DAVID GREENWAY & TAMARA MONTAG-SMIT, THE CONVERSATION

A

s vaccinations and relaxed health guidelines make returning to the office a reality for more companies, there seems to be a disconnect between managers and their workers over remote work.

A good example of this is a recent op-ed written by the CEO of a Washington, D.C., magazine that sugcontinued on page 6

AG James: Support for Fraud and Scam Reduction Act ... 15

Mind the Workplace 2021 Report... 24

Blake: George Floyd, We Continue to Honor You ... 4

Labor-Related News - Nationally & Locally

Help! I Can’t Get My Partner to Communicate with Me!

CDC: OK for COVID Shot for Teens 12-15 ... 21

... 19

HERO Act Signed Into Law

G Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Keisha Spradley of Local #3 IBEW Honored ...14

Senator Schumer: Clean Transit for America Plan ... 3

Laborers Rally for Safe and Responsible Development ...14

overnor Cuomo signed the NY HERO Act, giving an array of essential workers in New York new on-the-job protections. The bill, which was sponsored by State Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) and Assemblywoman Karines Reyes (D-Bronx) and passed in the Legislature last month, directs the Department of Labor to issue aircontinued on page 8

Assemblymember Reyes. Photo: nyassembly.gov

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May 2021

Those unions that enjoy the right to strike have no guarantee that sacrificing their jobs and their livelihood will result in victory but they nevertheless engage in lengthy strikes, not because they are assured of winning but because they are determined to fight.

—William Burrus, 1998

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Contents

This Day In Labor History - May 16

In Solidarity: Biden Administration Approves First U.S. Large-Scale Offshore Wind Project..................................................................3 Clean Transit for America Pla .................................3 Civil Rights: George Floyd, We Continue to Honor You.................................................................4

Black labor leader and peace activist A. Philip Randolph dies. He was president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, first Black member of the AFL-CIO executive board, and a principal organizer of the 1963 March on Washington - 1979

Can You Vote in New York City’s June 22 Primary Election? ....26

Union in Action Local 802 Launches "Music Heals" Series at City Vaccination Centers........................8 Money Matters Managing Your Personal Finance............................9 Education Cost for Child Care and PreSchool........................12 Old & New Immigrants: Their Rights No New Immigration Relief Yet: Beware of Immigration Fraud..................................17

COLUMNS Jobs & Recession .... 13 Do I Need a College Degree to Be a Real Estate Agent?

Love, Health & Travel .... 22 New York Expecting Big Crowds on the Water Boaters are planning to increase their on-water activity this summer, according to a pandemic-influenced survey of 3,500 boaters.

Coalition of Immokalee Workers Faith and Fair Food Summit

Education .... 12

June 2-3: Join clergy, lay leaders, and faith allies from across the Fair Food Nation on June 23 for the first-ever Faith & Fair Food Summit!

From the CIW’s humble beginnings in a borrowed backroom of the local Catholic church to the historic Freedom Fast in New York City, the faith community has always played a central role in the struggle for farmworker justice.

Today, we’re excited to announce the next chapter of this ongoing alliance between faith leaders and farmworkers, with the first-ever Faith & Fair Food Summit!

Register at www.allianceforfairfood.org

Under Biden’s American Families Plan, proposed in April 2021, the federal government would subsidize the costs of child care to the tune of US$225 billion annually. Lower-income families could access child care free of charge, while middle-class families would pay no more than 7% of their income.

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May 2021

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In Solidarity

Biden Administration Approves First U.S. Large-

Scale Offshore Wind Project

T Supports Workers’ World Today

R

ecently, I was in Albany fighting and seeking support of A1261/S1947, legislation that will create a clear definition of public work and level the playing field for New York’s contractors.

District Council 9 Painters and Allied Trades Union (DC9), the union for painters, prides itself on being a strong advocate for workers’ rights and safety. We are excited about this new publication, Workers’ World Today, which covers the issues of relevance and concern for all workers.

We are encouraged that all workers: blue and white collar will have a voice and platform.

Congratulations on your inaugural issue. We wish much success to the leaders and team of Workers’ World Today and pledge our support.p Davon Lomax Political Director, DC9

he Department of Interior’s approval of the Vineyard Wind Project, the first large-scale offshore wind project in the U.S., puts into action the Administration’s promise to build a green new economy with good family-sustaining union jobs. This is an important step forward for offshore wind in the region and as Climate Jobs NY continues to push major wind projects forward in New York, this is an important momentum driver.

“Today is one of many actions we are determined to take to open the doors of economic opportunity to more Americans.” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said. “A clean energy future is within our grasp in the United States.”

TEAM Publisher Workers’ World Today, Inc Editor-in-Chief Pearl Phillip Contributing Writers Marilyn Silverman Charles Tabasso Victoria Falk Erin Telesford Jennine Estes, MFT Travis Morales Mary Campbell Janet Howard Linda N. Chris Tobias Legal Advisor Brian Figeroux, Esq. Telephone 1-866-435-3286

Photo courtesy NYC Central Labor Council

The 800-megawatt Vineyard Wind energy project will be located off the coast of Martha's Vineyard. According to NPR News, the project is expected to produce enough renewable electricity to power 400,000 Massachusetts homes every year while also saving ratepayers billions of dollars and reducing annual carbon dioxide emissions in the state by about 1.68 million metric tons. Presi-

dent Biden has set a goal of launching 30,000 megawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2030.

“This project represents the power of a government-wide approach to offshore wind permitting, taking stakeholder ideas and concerns into consideration every step of the way,” said Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Director (BOEM) Amanda Lefton.p

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Clean Transit for America Plan

F

ollowing the lead set by the Biden administration’s American Jobs Plan, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York and Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio have proposed the Clean Transit for America plan to mitigate climate change, improve air quality, and develop a transit training program for goodpaying union jobs. Environmental advocates and unions including Local Union No. 3, IBEW, ATU, and TWU Local 100 joined Sen. Schumer at his press conference outside the Tuskegee Airmen Bus Depot in Harlem on May 4 to publicly announce the plan

Photo courtesy NYC Central Labor Council

he is bringing to Congress and the Biden administration.

Currently, only 2 percent of buses nationwide are zeroemission vehicles. The additional $73 billion in the Clean

Transit for America Plan would fund the procurement of 155,000 zero-emission buses and vans, the construction of new charging stations, and the renovation of already existing

infrastructure such as bus depots. The MTA, to its credit, has already set the goal of a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2040. The additional federal funding proposed by Sen. Schumer and Sen. Brown would make transition upgrades like these feasible in dense cities such as New York.

“The Clean Transit for America proposal will replace dirty, diesel-spewing buses, create new American jobs, help save the planet and protect public health, particularly in our country’s most vulnerable communities,” said Senator Schumer. p

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May 2021

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Civil Rights

George Floyd, We Continue to Honor You

BY MICHAEL BLAKE

R Call Equity Smart Realty at 888-670-6791 for a FREE consultation.

emember George Floyd. Not just for the 9 minutes and 29 seconds. Remember George Floyd as a human being who should be alive today.

One year ago, a young girl happened to film the heinous murder of George Floyd by Derek Chauvin. George Floyd was not the first Black man – or the last - to have his life taken too soon by police violence, white supremacy, and rogue vigilantism.

George Floyd's life was lost, and, we need to make sure continual justice and accountability is gained. George was a man, like any other Black man, going about his business. His daughter, Gianna Floyd, seven years old, said that her “Daddy changed the world,” and, we need this to be true for her. We need this

Editorial credit: Fiora Watts / Shutterstock.com

to be true for all Black and Brown people. We need equity and justice to be more than words, but to be lived by us all. We need to recognize the humanity in each other; dedicated to end systematic racism and injustice that impacts us all.

It is not just George Floyd.

We need to honor Breonna Taylor, Sandra Bland and

Sean Bell, Eric Garner and Tamir Rice, Daunte Wright and Deborah Danner. In my community of The Bronx, we think of Amadou Diallo, Anthony Baez, Ramarley Graham, Andrew Kearse. Today, we honor George Floyd and his life and what could have been.

In the past year, we have seen allies march and show

that so many people believe that there is more that must be done. We have made the move from anger to action.

We join together in search of lasting solutions, including calling on Congress to pass the George Floyd policing act.

This is not a conversation that started with George Floyd’s murder. The fight for Justice will end until Black and Brown people have the ability and the comfort to walk in public, in their communities, and in our skin.

George Floyd. We will forever remember your name.

We will honor your legacy by helping every possible Black person and all people to be able to BREATHE in peace.p Michael Blake formerly served as a New York Assemblyman from the 79th district. He is a Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee

LANDLORDS USING CONSTRUCTION AS A FORM OF TENANT HARASSMENT IS ILLEGAL. Renters have rights, including not being intimidated or harassed by landlords.

Construction can be used as a form of tenant harassment. This can include cutting off essential services like heat, hot water, or gas and doing excessively noisy work at odd hours.

The Office of the Tenant Advocate. Enforcing tenants’ rights when landlords are wrong.

TO FILE A COMPLAINT, CALL 311 AND ASK FOR DOB’S OFFICE OF THE TENANT ADVOCATE.

WWW.NYC.GOV/BUILDINGS

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May 2021

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Workers’ Matters Employees ... Burned / continued from page 6 gested workers could lose benefits like health care if they insist on continuing to work remotely as the COVID-19 pandemic recedes. The staff reacted by refusing to publish for a day.

While the CEO later apologized, she isn’t alone in appearing to bungle the transition back to the office after over a year in which tens of millions of employees were forced to work from home. A recent survey of full-time corporate or government employees found that two-thirds say their employers either have not communicated a post-pandemic office strategy or have only vaguely done so.

As workforce scholars, we are interested in teasing out how workers are dealing with this situation. Our recent research found that this failure to communicate clearly is hurting morale, culture and retention.

Workers relocating We first began investigating workers’ pandemic experiences in July 2020 as shelter-inplace orders shuttered offices and remote work was widespread. At the time, we wanted to know how workers were using their newfound freedom to potentially work virtually from anywhere.

We analyzed a dataset that a business and technology newsletter attained from surveying its 585,000 active readers. It asked them whether they planned to relocate during the next six months and to share their story about why and where from and to.

After a review, we had just under 3,000 responses, including 1,361 people who were planning to relocate or had recently done so. We systematically coded these responses to understand their motives and, based on distances moved, the degree of ongoing remote-

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work policy they would likely need.

We found that a segment of these employees would require a full remote-work arrangement based on the distance moved from their office, and another portion would face a longer commute. Woven throughout this was the explicit or implicit expectation of some degree of ongoing remote work among many of the workers who moved during the pandemic.

In other words, many of these workers were moving on the assumption – or promise – that they’d be able to keep working remotely at least some of the time after the pandemic ended. Or they seemed willing to quit if their employer didn’t oblige.

We wanted to see how these expectations were being met as the pandemic started to wind down in March 2021. So we searched online communities in Reddit to see what workers were saying. One forum proved particularly useful. A member asked, “Has your employer made remote work permanent yet or is it still in the air?” and went on to share his own experience. This post generated 101 responses with a good amount of detail on what their respective individual companies were doing.

While this qualitative data is only a small sample that is not

necessarily representative of the U.S. population at large, these posts allowed us to delve into a richer understanding of how workers feel, which a simple stat can’t provide.

We found a disconnect between workers and management that starts with but goes beyond the issue of the remotework policy itself. Broadly speaking, we found three recurring themes in these anonymous posts.

1. Broken remote-work promises Others have also found that people are taking advantage of pandemic-related remote work to relocate to a city at a distance large enough that it would require partial or fulltime remote work after people return to the office.

A recent survey by consulting firm PwC found that almost a quarter of workers were considering or planning to move more than 50 miles from one of their employer’s main offices. The survey also found 12% have already made such a move during the pandemic without getting a new job.

Our early findings suggested some workers would quit their current job rather than give up their new location if required by their employer, and we saw this actually start to occur in March.

One worker planned a move

from Phoenix to Tulsa with her fiancé to get a bigger place with cheaper rent after her company went remote. She later had to leave her job for the move, even though “they told me they would allow me to work from home, then said never mind about it.”

Another worker indicated the promise to work remotely was only implicit, but he still had his hopes up when leaders “gassed us up for months saying we’d likely be able to keep working from home and come in occasionally” and then changed their minds and demanded employees return to the office once vaccinated.

vated.

“We are going hybrid,” one worker wrote. “I personally don’t think the company is doing it for us. … I think they realized how efficient and how much money they are saving.”

Only a small minority of workers in our sample said their company asked for input on what employees actually want from a future remote work policy. Given that leaders are rightly concerned about company culture, we believe they are missing a key opportunity to engage with workers on the issue and show their policy rationales aren’t only about dollars and cents.

2. Confused remote-work policies Another constant refrain we read in the worker comments was disappointment in their company’s remote-work policy – or lack thereof.

Whether workers said they were staying remote for now, returning to the office or still unsure, we found that nearly a quarter of the people in our sample said their leaders were not giving them meaningful explanations of what was driving the policy. Even worse, the explanations sometimes felt confusing or insulting.

One worker complained that the manager “wanted butts in seats because we couldn’t be trusted to [work from home] even though we’d been doing it since last March,” adding: “I’m giving my notice on Monday.”

Another, whose company issued a two-week timeline for all to return to the office, griped: “Our leadership felt people weren’t as productive at home. While as a company we’ve hit most of our goals for the year. … Makes no sense.”

After a long period of office shutterings, it stands to reason workers would need time to readjust to office life, a point expressed in recent survey results. Employers that quickly flip the switch in calling workers back and do so with poor clarifying rationale risk appearing tone-deaf.

It suggests a lack of trust in productivity at a time when many workers report putting in more effort than ever and being strained by the increased digital intensity of their job – that is, the growing number of online meetings and chats.

And even when companies said they wouldn’t require a return to the office, workers still faulted them for their motives, which many employees described as financially moti-

3. Corporate culture ‘BS’ Management gurus such as Peter Drucker and other scholars have found that corporate culture is very important to binding together workers in an organization, especially in times of stress.

A company’s culture is essentially its values and beliefs shared among its members.

That’s harder to foster when everyone is working remotely.

That’s likely why corporate human resource executives rank maintaining organizational culture as their top workforce priority for 2021.

But many of the forum posts we reviewed suggested that employer efforts to do that during the pandemic by orchestrating team outings and other get-togethers were actually pushing workers away, and that this type of “culture building” was not welcome.

One worker’s company “had everyone come into the office for an outdoor luncheon a week ago,” according to a post, adding: “Idiots.”

Surveys have found that what workers want most from management, on the issue of corporate culture, are more remote-work resources, updated policies on flexibility and more communication from leadership.

As another worker put it, “I can tell you, most people really don’t give 2 flips about ‘company culture’ and think it’s BS.”p

Kimberly Merriman is a Professor of Management, Manning School of Business, University of Massachusetts Lowell.

David Greenway is a Doctoral Candidate in Leadership/Organization Studies, University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Tamara Montag-Smit is an Assistant Professor of Business, University of Massachusetts Lowell.

May 2021

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Workers’ Matters executive director Bhairavi Desai reiterated the group’s opposition.

“The bill reads like Uber’s fantasy novel — they get everything they want: ultimate deregulation, a phony union to give them cover, and workers at their mercy with no labor law or right to strike to build their power,” Desai said in a statement.

Gig Worker Union Bill/ continued from page 1 impacts our industry, work conditions, and the well-being of our families,” in a statement released late Tuesday morning.

Also coming out against the measure: the Transport Workers Union, after initially voicing its support.

A bill has been drafted and was expected to be introduced later this week by state Sen. Diane Savino (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn).

Because federal labor law does not allow workers who are not company employees to bargain a traditional union contract, the measure would create an alternative path under which a state labor panel would set rules covering gig workers.

As part of that arrangement, workers wouldn’t be allowed to publicly protest or walk off the job.

‘Erodes Worker Power’ But the draft bill language shows that the workers would concede certain rights from the get-go. Notably, unions would be forbidden to strike or demonstrate against an employer, under what’s known as a labor peace agreement.

Another provision would bar local governments from creating a minimum wage for workers or the app industry, as well as forbidding any local taxes, fees or surcharges.

“This bill isn’t worth it for us, it erodes worker power,” Sergio Ajche, a delivery worker and Los Deliveristas Unidos member, told THE CITY in Spanish.

“I think it’s silly that these companies would try and sneak this behind our backs when we’re already organized at the grassroots,” he added.

“We’re very aware that our organizing — our protests, our marches, our movement — poses a threat to tech companies.”

The food workers, who call themselves deliveristas, are supported in their organizing by the Workers Justice Project.

“What a lot of these companies don’t understand is that they may have capital and economic power, but we have people power,” Ajche said.

Savino told THE CITY via a spokesperson that the proposal represents a “foundational plan for gig workers in the ride sharing and delivery economy,” including the right to organize and bargain, worker’s compensation, and

A delivery worker takes a break in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, May 24, 2021. Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY

unemployment insurance.

“No state allows localities to regulate those areas, and New York will not do that now,” Savino said in a statement.

“The draft legislation is under discussion, and will continue to evolve with further input from affected individuals and entities until all parties are satisfied. Failing to pass anything means we leave here and leave 200,000 plus workers with nothing. No union, no workers compensation, no unemployment. Nothing. That is not an option.”

Rolling Back Support High-profile support from the Transport Workers Union also melted once the bill’s details emerged, after months of conversations between tech companies and the New York State AFL-CIO. TWU International President John Samuelsen said Tuesday that his union, an AFL-CIO member, would “stand with the workers” who oppose the measure. Samuelsen had been involved in discussions over the bill in recent weeks, but said he would defer to groups like Los Deliveristas Unidos.

“If they don’t want this particular bill, we will support them and work with them to craft a bill [that] satisfies the workers,” Samuelsen told THE CITY. After learning details of the draft bill late Friday, leadership of Los Deliveristas Unidos huddled over the weekend and again on Monday.

According to people familiar with the discussions, the workers were particularly concerned that the bill could restrict their ability to protest or walk out of their jobs, which they have already done at least three times in the last year, first last October and most recently in April.

During an interview with THE CITY on Monday, Samuelsen said that he could not support the draft legislation if workers aren’t able to demonstrate against the companies.

“If it comes down to it and there’s a stalemate at the bargaining table, workers have to be able to engage in — at least the threat of — collection action in order to move issues,” Samuelsen said.

His latest remarks represent a shift from the union’s initial support of the concept, which he described to THE CITY last week as an “extremely advanced piece of legislation.”

The New York State AFLCIO stopped short of withdrawing its support of the bill.

“Our goal has always been to get gig workers rights and protections that they do not currently have,” the organization’s president, Mario Cilento, told THE CITY in a statement.

“We will continue to work with our affiliates and the appbased workers to try to get this done. If there are other ideas, we are open to them,” he said.

“No one ever said this would be easy, but this is all part of the normal legislative process.”

Representatives from San Francisco-based tech company DoorDash, the dominant food app platform nationally, did not respond to requests for comment.

In a report to investors earlier this month, the company stated that any requirement to reclassify workers as employees would have an “adverse impact on our business, financial conductions and results of operations.”

Opponents of the bill argue it would undermine a proposal at the federal level called the PRO — or Protect the Right to Organize — Act, a sweeping reform of national labor law which seeks, among other things, to grant full employment rights to independent contractors nationwide.

Gaining Power The bill took another blow as 32BJ came out in opposition Monday evening.

“We believe that legislation that addresses gig economy and other misclassified work-

ers should at minimum maintain gains made by workers at the local level, retain existing state protections, and allow localities the power to establish improved standards,” said president Kyle Bragg in a statement. “It should also afford workers a real voice and the ability to truly expand and strengthen their labor rights, benefits, and protections.”

The building workers’ union — which was instrumental in winning city fast food workers an unprecedented $15 minimum wage six years ago and secured a $19 minimum for workers at Port Authority-run airports by 2023 three years ago — has been aiding the Deliveristas. The union is providing legal and legislative support to the delivery workers as they seek reforms in the City Council and in Albany.

Last month, City Council members introduced bills after months-long conversations with Los Deliveristas. Among the bills: measures to boost wages, ensure tips get to workers and to fine restaurants and bars that refuse to allow a delivery worker to use the restroom — charging $50 for the first offense and $100 for every subsequent violation.

In New York City, drivers for Uber, Lyft and other for-hire vehicle platforms secured a guaranteed minimum wage in 2018 and were also granted unemployment benefits, something usually afforded to employees but not independent contractors.

“The proposal we have examined does not provide for those conditions and jeopardizes critical wins that workers have fought for over the years.

What we have seen so far is not good for these workers in particular, or any working New Yorker,” Bragg added.

The Taxi Workers Alliance, a collective representing taxi and app-based drivers, came out against the bill last week following an initial report in Bloomberg News that talks were in the works.

After seeing details, alliance

Cash Cabs Still in favor of Savino’s bill is the Independent Drivers Guild, an affiliate of the International Association of Machinists funded by Uber that represents 80,000 New York City ride-hailing drivers.

In a statement, driver-organizer Tina Raveneau said that members “cannot afford to wait another month, another year, or another legislative session to begin exercising the right to collective bargaining.”

She added: “While the legislation itself will not immediately gift us all of the changes and improvements we need, the power we will gain from having the right to bargain will give us the opportunity to negotiate for those changes and to win a better life for ourselves and our families.”

Last week, the head of the group said the vast majority of their drivers want union representation.

Representatives for Uber and Lyft did not respond to requests for comment.

Under the draft proposal, the unions that would represent gig workers stand to gain handsomely.

They would add thousands of new members to their ranks while collecting 10 cents from consumers for every ride and delivery in New York as a “representation fee,” according to the draft proposal reviewed by THE CITY. Those fees would be separate from any membership dues that workers would agree upon.

The surcharge could mean a windfall for a gig-worker union. With hundreds of thousands of e-hail rides daily in the five boroughs, it’s worth potentially tens of thousands of dollars in income per day from ride-hail drivers in New York City alone.

Desai said that the surcharge “turns unions into a customerfunded liberal charity instead of a means to build worker power.”

She added: “This bill needs to be shredded.”p This story was published on May 25, 2021 by THE CITY.

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May 2021

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Union In Action

Local 802 Launches "Music Heals" Series at City Vaccination Centers

L

ocal 802 and the NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment have launched “Music Heals," a new program of paid union gigs for musicians, who are playing for vaccine staff and recipients.

The performances will take place at 11 city-run vaccination centers across the five boroughs through June 20.

The program provides hundreds of NYC musicians — many who have lost income during the pandemic — fair wages and benefits under union guidelines. The performances are a way share the joy of live music with vaccine site staff and New Yorkers who are getting vaccinated while also reminding us of the wonderful music, theatre and live performances that help make New York the creative capital of the world. “We’re proud that our city’s diverse musicians are providing live music to encourage New Yorkers to get vaccinated, which is the key to re-opening NYC," said Local 802 President Adam Krauthamer. p

Photo courtesy NYC Central Labor Council

HERO Act / continued from page 1

borne infectious disease standards for businesses that will include protocols on testing, face masks, personal protective equipment, social distancing and other measures, and calls for fines against businesses that fail to adopt and enact new standards to protect workers. The standards will be crafted by industry-specific worker committees, and the bill also includes strong antiretaliation provisions that allow workers to call out employers without fear of reprisal.

The Act was signed into law despite extensive corporate lobbying thanks in part to the efforts and labor and community activists, including members of the Committee of Interns and Residents/SEIU who not only attended virtual press conferences, spoke at rallies, and lent their voices to calls to protect workers in the state—they also produced videos in support of the legislation. p

GET BACK TO FRIENDS

COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and will help us all get back to the people and activities we have missed.

Get 琀e facts.

Get facts. Get Get 琀e vax. vax To get the facts about COVID-19 vaccines, visit nyc.gov/covidvaccine.

Visit nyc.gov/vaccinefinder or call 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692) to find a vaccination site to get your COVID-19 vaccine.

Health

Bill de Blasio Mayor Dave A. Chokshi, MD, MSc Commissioner

May 2021

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Money Matters

4 Crucial Tips for Managing Your Personal Finance

BY MARY CAMPBELL

P

ersonal finance is one of the most discussed topics due to its criticalness.

Your success is substantially determined by how you manage your money. Thus, it is vital to have practical strategies up your sleeve. The following are tips for managing your personal finance.

Work with a Budget It is essential to work with a budget every month. Different budgeting methods exist, with the common being the 50/30/20 rule. With this budget rule, you will spend 50% of your income after taxes on needs such as rent, groceries, gas, and utilities.

Thirty percent will go to wants like clothes, going out, or planning a trip. The remaining 20% will go towards your savings, emergencies, and paying debts. If you im-

plement this measure religiously, it will be easy to attain your goals and live a comfortable life.

You can also use budgeting apps to track your spending.

With these apps, you will know the areas that you spend the most money, and adjust accordingly.

Reduce Debts Dealing with high debts makes it hard to manage your finances effectively. Thus, you should try to limit debts as

much as possible.

For instance, you should always live below your means.

You should track all your monthly expenses and subtract them from your total income. If you end up with a negative number or a very low positive number, you need to change your lifestyle.

This will shield you from the need of taking more debts to cover your expenses.

Set Financial Goals Goals usually motivate people

to work hard to fulfill them.

Thus, you should set periodical financial goals that will push you to make wise financial decisions. For example, they can help you avoid unnecessary expenses.

However, you should have detailed goals for clarity. For instance, you should have both long and short-term goals. An example of a longterm goal is buying a home.

After setting this goal, research the average cost of a home in your chosen region, and then calculate how much you have to save monthly to fulfill it.

Short-term goals include saving for a date night, buying an upgraded appliance, or not using credit cards for some time. Having these goals can help you manage your money like a pro.

Work with a Financial Advisor Most people, especially young

adults, believe working with a financial advisor is a costly step. However, the consequences of spending your money without professionalism can cost you more. Thus, you should consider hiring a financial expert to help you make the right investment decisions. The professional will analyze any project you want to invest in, and inform you of any projected risks.

Moreover, they can teach you the best tactics to keep your tax liability at a minimum. Many financial advisors exist, so you can't miss finding an affordable one. You can even get good advice from family members who are good with money.

Despite personal finance not being taught in school, it is crucial in your life. Everyone needs to be strategic with money. You should employ the tips discussed above to manage your money wisely.p

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Filing a Chapter 7, 11 or 13 bankruptcy may be your only choice!!!

continued on page 11 The Law Offices of Figeroux & Associates, 26 Court Street, Suite 701, Brooklyn, NY. Visit www.311bankruptcy.com

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May 2021

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Family: The True Modern Relationship

Raising Big Dreamers: Ways to Have Career Conversations With Kids

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re-pandemic, Take Your Child to Work Day was an opportunity for children to peek behind the mysterious veil of “work” – to see what their parents do all day and begin to dream about the careers they might like to pursue when they grow up.

For some parents, every day might feel like Take Your Child to Work Day. For others, health and safety concerns might make it impossible to bring children to their workplaces. That doesn’t mean it’s any less important to take some time to help your children imagine turning their passions into careers.

“Children need exposure to the possibilities that exist so they can envision themselves doing what inspires them in the future,” said Content Architect Rashelle Chase from KinderCare Learning Centers’ education team. “Learning about different career options also helps children learn about

how the world works and the different types of roles and systems that are in place to help society function.”

Consider these tips to help you infuse some of the Take Your Child to Work Day spirit into everyday life.

Expose your children to a variety of career options. Young children tend to think of careers in terms of the kinds of jobs they see adults doing, like doctors, firefighters and teachers. Help your children discover careers that are new to them. Talk about essential

workers and why they are depended on so heavily. Share details about the work your immediate and extended family members do – perhaps you could arrange a virtual call so your children can see a family member at work. Point out other kinds of workers as your child encounters them, whether that’s during a walk around the neighborhood or while reading a book.

Help your children imagine turning their passions into careers. Not every block builder turns into an architect. Some

go into construction, some into engineering and some pursue other careers entirely. When children express an interest in a specific career or type of work, help them think about the kinds of skills they could work on now to help turn that dream into a reality. Help your children make connections between the things they like to do now and the kinds of careers that could lead to. Maybe there’s an activity or volunteer experience your children could do, or a club they could join, that would help nurture that passion and expand their skillset.

Break career stereotypes.

Point out diverse people doing jobs as you see them in the community or in books or media – like female firefighters, male teachers or biracial female vice presidents – and talk about the diverse viewpoints and experiences each person can bring to his or her career.

Be active about squashing gender stereotypes whenever you see or hear them. Encourage your children to pursue their ambitions and let them know you believe in them and their ability to succeed in whatever career they want.

Help your child to see “work” and “jobs” as positive things, especially after rough days. Be honest about the struggles and successes you have in your own career. Celebrate your successes and talk with your children about how you, problem-solve or persevere through tough times. Model coping skills your children can apply to their own “job” – school. It’s important for children to understand one can still find fulfillment and passion in a career even if there are tough moments. p(Family Features)

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May 2021

12

Education

US Parents Pay Nearly Double the ‘Affordable’ Cost for Child Care and Preschool better health and not receive public assistance.

Indeed, a 2016 study shows that every $1 the government spent on high-quality early childhood education programs in North Carolina led to a $7 benefit to the economy.

More money spent on child care means less spent on other government benefits like unemployment insurance and Medicaid.

BY JOYA MISRA THE CONVERSATION

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resident Joe Biden wants to make child care more affordable across the U.S. Under his American Families Plan, proposed in April 2021, the federal government would subsidize the costs of child care to the tune of US$225 billion annually.

Lower-income families could access child care free of charge, while middle-class families would pay no more than 7% of their income.

Additionally, the plan seeks to make free, high-quality preschool available for all 3- and 4-year-olds.

Almost 60% of parents say preschool and day care expenses are a financial strain.

Currently, child care eats up

14% of the incomes of middle-class working families – for example, those with a household income of $50,000-$100,000 for a family of four – according to the Center for American Progress, a progressive think tank. For lower-income families, the share rises to 35% As a scholar who studies government support for working families in different coun-

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tries, I know that the United States spends substantially less on early education and child care than comparable nations. While the U.S. spends approximately $2,500 a year on child care and early education per child, the average in Europe is $4,700. Some countries, including Norway and Sweden, spend more than $10,000.

Impact of limited funding Given the devastating effects of the pandemic on child care in the U.S., as part of the 2021 American Rescue Plan the federal government has added $39 billion to support child care providers, and an additional $15 billion in flexible funding for states to make child care more affordable.

This is in addition to $10 billion provided as part of a December 2020 COVID-19 relief package. Yet these one-time infusions can’t solve the long-term lack of child care funding.

Federal spending is usually so limited that it reaches relatively few children. For example, the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act provides federal funding to states that provide child care subsidies for low-income families with children under 13. Yet only 15% of the nearly 14 million children who are eligible for these subsidies actually benefit from them.

Early Head Start and Head Start are free, federally funded programs that promote school readiness for children ages 3-5 from low-income families. Early Head Start serves only 11% of eligible children, and Head Start serves 36% of eligible children. Despite demand for Head Start services, inadequate funding limits how many kids the program can serve.

In other words, most working families cannot rely on these programs.

Benefits of subsidies While the roughly $10 billion the federal government spends annually on Head Start and $5 billion on other child care programs may seem expensive, spending on early childhood education pays large dividends and boosts economic growth – effectively generating more revenue than the programs cost.

Research consistently shows that children enrolled in early education programs are more likely to go to college, earn more money, have

Effective models for pre-K Biden’s American Families Plan also seeks to build on the work of successful statefunded preschool programs.

Florida, the District of Columbia, Oklahoma and Vermont have adopted nearly universal pre-K for 4-year-olds, and some other states, counties and cities have begun to build these programs too. Universal pre-K programs are also being expanded to include 3-yearolds.

These programs work. For example, researchers studied the children who enrolled in the high-quality pre-K program in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as 4-year-olds after they reached middle school. They found the pre-K alumni had better math skills, took more honors courses and were less likely to be held back in school than 4year-olds who did not take part in the program.

Yet as of 2021 relatively few U.S. children can attend highquality preschool. Wealthier families are more likely to enroll their kids in licensed child care centers, which often have an early education component. This reinforces the achievement gap between children from poorer and wealthier families.

Based on all the evidence available, I have no doubt that higher government spending on early education and child care could dramatically change the lives of working families, improve the longterm life trajectories for many Americans and strengthen the U.S. economy.p Joya Misra is a Professor of Sociology & Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Amherst

May 2021

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13

Jobs & Recession

Do I Need a College Degree to Be a Real Estate Agent?

BY KAPLAN REAL ESTATE EDUCATION

B

ecoming a real estate agent is an attractive career option for many people because of the minimal requirements to get started. Regardless of educational or professional background, most people can start a new career as a real estate agent within a few months. For motivated self-starters, the combination of minimal requirements and high earning potential makes real estate sales a perfect fit.

No degree? No problem. You don’t need a college degree to become a real estate agent in most states. A degree or certificate program can help you learn skills that you’ll use while on the job, but it’s not required. In fact, there are only a few things required to become a real estate agent in each state. Familiarizing yourself with those requirements is the first step you can take towards starting your career in real estate.

How do I become a real estate agent without a college degree?

To become a licensed real estate agent without a college degree, the process is straight-forward. Each state has its own set of requirements for real estate licensure, but they all involve taking a certain amount of pre-licensing education

and passing an exam.

Once you figure out how to satisfy your state’s requirements, you can start taking your pre-licensing education and preparing for your exam. Luckily, there are many options out there to help you succeed, including online and weekend real estate courses and exam prep tools.

It’s a good idea to plan out the next few months of your time so that you can stick to a schedule of completing your pre-licensing education and preparing for your exam. Choose a real estate school that’s approved by the state where you want to earn a license and offers courses that fit your schedule and instructional preferences. Many people find the pre-licensing education usually isn’t enough to fully prepare

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for their real estate exam. You can get a head start on your exam day prep by investigating exam study tools and making a plan for success on exam day.

What are the best college majors for real estate agents?

Popular majors for future real estate agents include marketing, finance, accounting, psychology, and business.

Even though going to college isn’t required, you may find it helpful to complete a degree or certificate program to gain knowledge that would help you succeed as a real estate agent.

Passing your exam and completing your pre-licensing education doesn’t guarantee you a thriving career, which is why many agents find it beneficial to have additional background knowledge in marketing themselves, maintaining their finances, and understanding the psychology of their clients.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money or time at a four-year university to gain an understanding of these topics, either. For a busy parent or professional, it might not be feasible to find the time and money needed to earn a four-year degree in real estate. Local community colleges offer two-year associate degrees in areas like marketing, business, and accounting, and many offer night and online classes. Boosting your marketing or business knowledge could be as simple as taking a few classes.

Which schools offer degrees or certificates in real estate?

If you’re looking for something more comprehensive, some four-year colleges and universities have begun offering specific real estate degrees and certificates. Attending a four-year university to study real estate is a good option for prospective students who are planning to attend college regardless of their major. At many of these colleges, you’ll receive a solid educational background in real estate law, finance, and development.

One of the benefits of the real estate salesperson’s licensure process is that its accessible to people from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds. You don’t need a college degree, and the requirements are minimal. Ready to start preparing?

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14

In the News

Editorial Staffers at Barbara Bowen, Named NYSUT Higher Education Forbes Unionize Member of the Year

B

arbara Bowen, a fierce advocate for workers, students and progressive causes, is returning to teaching after more than two decades as president of the Professional Staff Congress representing faculty and academic staff at CUNY. She was honored recently as Higher Education Member of the Year by PSC’s statewide affiliate, NYSUT.p

Photo courtesy NYC Central Labor Council

Laborers Rally for Safe and Responsible Development

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aborers Local 79 - New York City, NY Communities for Change, labor and community allies marched for safe and responsible development. Inspections by the Department of Buildings keep turning up safety violations at the 100% non-union Bedford Armory construction site.

The NYC Labor Movement stands together against greedy, unscrupulous developers and we must hold our elected offi-

T

he editorial workers at Forbes announced their itention to unionize with The NewsGuild of New York with over 80% of eligible staffers signed on to the campaign.

Forbes staffers are asking company management to respect their collective voice and recognize their union.

For over 100 years, Forbes has been an influential news source that identifies business trends and holds those with power and great wealth to account. Now, the reporters, editors, designers, videographers and social media editors who make Forbes great seek to ensure that the magazine remains a leading voice in the business industry with a voice for those who produce it.

The Forbes Union organized to secure the standards of a professional newsroom: a more inclusive and transparent workplace, job security, transparency, a collaborative profes-

sional environment that removes the top-down management structures, equity in pay and opportunity, and accountability.

The staffers organized during the pandemic and an increasingly precarious industry, joining thousands of courageous journalists and media professionals across the nation who have organized their newsrooms and workplaces.

“This is largely about strengthening a greater sense of balance within the newsroom,” said Matt Kang, Video Producer at Forbes. “The more balanced we are as a unit, the stronger we can perform in an increasingly competitive and crowded media landscape and ensure our successful track record.”p

Photo courtesy NYC Central Labor Council

cials accountable when the choices they make endanger workers’ safety. p

NEW Equity Awards Luncheon Honors Local #3 IBEW Member

Photo courtesy NYC Central Labor Council

N

Photo courtesy NYC Central Labor Council

ontraditional Employment for Women's (NEW) Equity Leadership Awards Luncheon celebrates the women building New York City. For more than 40 years NEW has trained and placed women in the skilled construction trades and related fields, helping them secure sustainable wages for themselves and their families. The women who enter the doors of NEW are changed; they walk out confident and ready to begin

their journey in a new career.

The Equity Leadership Awards Luncheon recognizes the hard work and dedication of NEW students and graduates as well as those who support them.

Each year NEW has the opportunity to honor leaders in the construction, labor, and real estate communities as well as an outstanding tradeswoman that is making a difference in New York City and the surrounding areas.

This year that tradeswoman was Journeywoman and NEW graduate Keisha Spradley of Local #3 IBEW. Keisha was honored at NEW's virtual luncheonp

Read more stories and news at www.workersworldtoday.com

Victory for VOCALNY User’s Union

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huge victory for VOCAL-NY User’s Union — the Assembly passed S1795/A533, legislation to mandate medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in prison and jails.

This victory has been years in the making, after the same bill died in the Assembly in the final hours of the 2019 legislative session. MAT is the gold standard of treatment for opioid use disorder, and will prevent inhumane withdrawals that lead to an increased risk of overdose in prisons. As Hiawatha Collins, a leader with VOCALNY’s User’s Union, said in a statement: “This legislation ensures that they will have access to medication assisted treatment for their substance use disorders during their incarceration, their autonomy honored by offering all three forms of medication, and that there is a warm hand off with their care after their incarceration. Ultimately, however, we hope that this is a step towards ending the punitive approach towards drug use and moving towards a world without a drug war, where people who use drugs are treated with respect and given the care and support they deserve.”

In another victory, the New York

City Council passed Into 146, long-awaited legislation to fix the city’s broken voucher system by raising it to a fair market rate. With the new CityFHEPS rental rate, over 70,000 more apartments will be accessible to people with the voucher — an incredible accomplishment and testament to the power of homeless New Yorkers who fought for this bill. Unfortunately, Intro 146 was amended in the final days of negotiations -- without any input from directly impacted New Yorkers — that removed key provisions that protected people from losing their voucher. Read our full statement here, and a quote below from Joseph Loonam, VOCALNY’s Housing Campaign Coordinator: “Homeless New Yorkers know how seemingly minor policy shifts can have major impacts on people’s lives, and these changes will undoubtedly force many people back to shelters or the streets. “p

www.workersworldtoday.com

May 2021

15

In The News

Attorney General James Leads Bipartisan Coalition Urging Congressional Support for Fraud and Scam Reduction Act

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EW YORK: New York Attorney General Letitia James continued her efforts to protect senior citizens in New York against fraud. Attorney General James co-led a bipartisan coalition of 47 attorneys general in sending a letter to congressional leaders, urging them to pass the Fraud and Scam Reduction Act. The act — comprised of the Stop Senior Scam Act and Seniors Fraud Prevention Act of 2021 — will assist stakeholders in training employees to recognize the warning signs of elder fraud and to prevent irreversible damage to elderly victims.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has sadly opened up senior citizens to a new array of fraudulent schemes to steal their money, their identities, and, very often, the freedoms they enjoy,” said Attorney General

best suited to identify the warning signs of elder fraud.

The act also establishes the Office for the Prevention of Fraud Targeting Seniors — housed in the Bureau of Consumer Protection of the FTC. The office will complement the efforts of the Senior Scams Prevention Advisory Group by:

James. “It is vital that we make every effort to protect the elderly against fraud and irreversible harm, which is why our bipartisan coalition is calling on Congress to immediately pass the Fraud and Scam Reduction Act. We must protect the elderly and ensure we minimize the opportunities for them to become victims in the future.”

The bipartisan legislation will provide innovative ways to combat the financial exploita-

tion of senior citizens, like establishing the Senior Scams Prevention Advisory Group that will be accountable to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The group will collect data generated by stakeholders — such as retailers, financial services, and wire-transfer companies — to help educate employees on how to identify and prevent scams that target seniors. The group will develop training and educational materials for those employees

•Monitoring emerging scams that target seniors through the internet, mail, robocalls, telemarketing, and television; •Disseminating information on common fraud schemes; and •Sharing information on how to report suspected senior fraud scams to a national fraud hotline and the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network.

The FTC will also work with the U.S. Department of Justice to log and track complaints

from victims and relay the information to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Joining Attorney General James in sending today’s letter to Congress are the attorneys general from Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.p

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May 2021

16

Home Ownership

Understanding the Foreclosure Process & Common Defenses If you are involved in a foreclosure, here are some things to consider.

BY TRISTAN PHILLIP EQUITY SMART REALTY INC

F

oreclosure is a legal process by which a lender takes possession of collateral pledged to secure a loan. Because it is a complex legal action, and because there are few resources for homeowners, vehicle owners, and other borrowers to research precisely how a foreclosure works, being involved in such an ordeal can be both stressful and confusing.

Like all legal disputes, the excellent news is foreclosure cases must allow the borrower to state their case. There are numerous ways for borrowers to protect themselves, many of which are guaranteed under federal and state laws.

Common Defenses Some of the most common defenses to foreclosure include: •the foreclosing bank didn't

follow the required state procedures •the foreclosing party can't prove it owns the loan (it lacks "standing") •the mortgage servicer made a grave mistake when handling your loan

•you're a servicemember on active duty and protected by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act •the statute of limitations has passed, and •the servicer used a defective affidavit or declaration.

The Time Factor Because of the mandated notice lenders must provide to borrowers before they can legally take possession of the collateral, foreclosing on a home, a vehicle, or land is by no means a quick and simple act. Lenders must file a Notice of Default which begins a phase called the reinstatement period. Roughly 12 weeks later, a lender is required to post a Notice of Sale on the property and deliver the same to the borrower.

Generally speaking, this three-month window is a borrower's opportunity to bring their loan current and avoid the sale of their property.

Judicial Foreclosure Some states require the in-

volvement of a court during the foreclosure process in much the same way the federal government requires bankruptcies to be subject to the jurisdiction of a federal judge. In states where judicial foreclosure is mandated, borrowers have the opportunity to state their case opposing the sale of their home in a hearing before a judge.

Like all litigation, a foreclosure case is subject to the orderly processes of the court, which means a defendant borrower has the same compulsory process as the lender.

Motions can be filed. Evidence can be presented, and the actions of the lender can be contested at each step.

Auctions During the normal course of a foreclosure, the property in question usually ends up being auctioned off by the lender to recover the property's value and pay off the loan. Auctions typically take place shortly after the reinstatement period ends. By and large, if your foreclosure reaches the auction phase, it is probably too late to save the property.

One option all property owners have before the auction is negotiating with the lender to perform something called a "short sale." This can have some significant tax ramifications, but it also gives you the option to plan for the sale of your home rather than have everything proceed according to the lender's schedule.

If you are facing foreclosure, your best options are to consult with a real estate attorney and then negotiate with your lender. Most banks and finance companies will make many concessions if it helps them avoid acquiring a house, they have to either sell or maintain.

It is also important to recognize you have alternatives and time to avoid an unfortunate outcome. Take your time, perform your due diligence and use the options available to you.

Free Consultation Need assistance? Schedule an appointment today. call us at 855-768-8845.p

May 2021

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17

Old & New Immigrants: Their Rights

No New Immigration Relief Yet: Beware of Immigration Fraud

“Untouchable” Louision Busted for Immigration Fraud

BY EMILY WU, FTC

ederal law enforcement agents arrested Arleigh Louison on July 18, 2019, and he was indicted in Vermont on 12 counts of making false statements and submitting over 1,800 fraudulent immigration applications to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

“A federal grand jury returned a 12count indictment against Arleigh Louison, 53, of Brooklyn, New York, charging him with running an immigration fraud scheme that included the filing of false statements with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, including over 1,800 fraudulent applications for over 1,000 petitioners within the last four years.

Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) agents arrested Louison in Brooklyn, New York, and executed a federal search warrant at his office,” said the U.S. Department of Justice press release.

Louison has since passed. However, he has left a carnage of victims facing deportation and a myriad of immigration issues. For a FREE case evaluation, call 855-768-8845.p

F

Y

ou might have seen that the President recently sent a new immigration bill to Congress.

What does that mean for you if you’re a non-citizen in the United States? Right now, the truthful answer is likely nothing — at least not yet. But scammers won’t tell you that.

Instead, we’ve already heard about scammers trying to profit off this news by offering so-called immigration services in response to this immigration bill. Someone might say that they can help you with a new pathway to citizenship, or that they can help you can skip the line if you’re a farmworker or a Dreamer.

In either case, for a fee.

But none of this is true. First, there is no new immigration law yet — at this point, it is just a proposal. Second, only notarios and dishonest attorneys will tell you they can help you get immigration status based on a bill. They are eager to charge you now for immigration help even

though they know the bill may never become law.

This is what we know right now: •If anyone tells you that there’s already a new path to citizenship because of the bill, it’s a scam.

•You can get information on any changes to immigration law directly from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at USCIS.gov. To get this news directly by email, subscribe to USCIS news releases and alerts.

•You can seek legal help from immigration lawyers or U.S Department of Justice (DOJ) accredited representatives, not notarios. For tips on how

to avoid scams against immigrants, go to ftc.gov/immigration.

•Never pay for USCIS forms. You can get free USCIS forms directly from their website or by calling them at 1-800-870-3676.

If you spot an immigration scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can report the scam anonymously or ask your attorney to report the scam with their contact information instead. Each report helps protect your community against immigration scams.p

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May 2021

18

Old & New Immigrants: Their Rights

Biden Administration Revokes Trump’s Health Insurance Visa Ban

BY WALTER EWING

P

resident Biden revoked a proclamation issued by former President Trump in 2019 that required nearly all prospective immigrants to demonstrate that they would be covered by private health insurance or were wealthy enough not to need it.

Those needing health insurance would have to be covered within 30 days of entering the United States.

This health insurance visa ban would have amounted to a wealth test for most noncitizens wanting to immigrate to the United States.

Biden’s May 14 presidential proclamation overturning Trump’s order makes the case that “access to quality, affordable healthcare” can be achieved “without barring the entry of noncitizens who seek to immigrate lawfully to this country but who lack signifi-

cant financial means or have not purchased health insurance coverage from a restrictive list of qualifying plans.”

The Trump-era health insurance visa ban would have excluded 65% of all immigrants to the United States. Trump’s order was aimed not only at keeping noncitizens who lacked health insurance out of the country. It also sought to exclude noncitizens who had publicly funded or subsidized health insurance plans, like those purchased through the exchanges created under the Affordable Care Act. The stated justification for the health insurance visa ban was that immigrants “should not further saddle our health care system, and subsequently American taxpayers, with higher costs.” This rationale overlooked the fact that immigrants are also taxpayers.

They also contribute to the

U.S. economy through their labor and entrepreneurship.

Trump’s order was quickly challenged by a lawsuit filed in Oregon federal court. In response to the lawsuit, the order was temporarily blocked by a federal judge one day before it was supposed to go into effect. Although the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals up-

held the order in December 2020, President Biden took office weeks later and the order was never implemented.

The health insurance visa ban was one among several measures the Trump administration implemented to limit legal immigration to the United States.

Trump especially focused on limiting immigration from

less-developed countries.

In fact, the ban was issued days before the Trump administration’s “public charge” rule was due to go into effect. That rule made it easier for the federal government to deny a visa or green card to immigrants deemed likely to receive public benefits at some point in the future.

The public charge rule survived several legal challenges and went into effect in February 2020. But it was ultimately dismantled by the Biden administration.

Both the public charge rule and the health insurance visa ban attempted to limit legal immigration to this country based on wealth. The Biden administration was right to rescind them. Had they gone into effect, the right to live in the United States would have become a reward reserved for only a handful of privileged people. p

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May 2021

19

Love, Health & Travel

Help! I Can’t Get My Partner to Communicate with Me!

BY HEATHER FRICK, MFT

H

ave you ever had one of those periods in your relationship where it feels like you and your partner can’t communicate about anything without it turning into a fight? Or maybe you’re finding it a struggle to get any meaningful response from your partner? Or maybe you’re finding yourself getting irritated every time your partner talks to you? You are certainly not alone!

It is so common for relationships to go through ups and downs where one or both partners feel like they can’t connect with each other. If you have been feeling this way for an extended period of time, perhaps it might be time to dig a bit deeper and figure out what may be underneath this feeling of disconnection. In the next few paragraphs, we will explore a bit more about what

might be going on when it feels like you and your partner can’t communicate.

Recurring arguments can be called a negative cycle. But what exactly is a “negative cycle”? According to Dr. Sue Johnson, a negative cycle is simply a self-reinforcing pattern of interaction that, when triggered, leads to both partners feeling as though their partner does not understand or care for them on an emotional level. The good news is that essentially all couples have their own negative cycle, so you’re not alone in this feeling. The bad news is that you often end up feeling stuck, alone, and disconnected from your partner. The difference between secure and insecure couples is that secure couples recognize when this cycle is starting and are able to repair the relationship to maintain their connection. Insecure couples, on the other hand, often

get stuck in these negative cycles with little or insufficient repair. Over time, this cycle can erode trust in the relationship and lead to couples feeling disconnected from each other.

These negative cycles are so common that we know that there are at least three predictable patterns that often happen for couples – pursuewithdraw, pursue-pursue, and withdraw-withdraw. I will explore each of these patterns in

the next blog post. For now, we will focus on the pursuewithdraw pattern because it is the most likely culprit underneath the feeling that your partner won’t communicate with you.

So, what might be happening when you feel like you cannot get a response from your partner? Imagine the following scenario: You and your partner have just finished eating dinner. As you put away the leftovers, your part-

ner loads the dishwasher. You come over to help out and notice that your partner has, once again, put a couple of large pots and pans on the bottom shelf, leaving no room for other dishes. You notice yourself getting annoyed and thinking about how frustrated you are with your partner and thinking that things in your relationship never change.

In that moment, you say to your partner: “Really?!? How many times have I told you that we hand-wash the continued on page 20

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May 2021

20

Love, Health & Travel 4.Along with #3, avoid using “you-statements” and blackand-white statements, such as “You always…”, “You never… ” These types of statements are a sure-fire way to get a defensive response.

Communicate / continued from page 19 pots and pans? You always do this and I end up having to rearrange the entire dishwasher! I wish for once that you would just believe me when I tell you the best way to load the dishwasher.”

Your partner looks at you, makes a snarky comment, and leaves the room, leaving you to just that – reload the dishwasher the way you want it. Later on that evening, you try to ask your partner about their day, but they barely look up from their phone. You try all your moves – asking questions, talking about an event you’re both going to that weekend, begging your partner to just engage with you.

Finally, your partner explodes in anger, and stomps off to bed, leaving you feeling like they just aren’t interested or just don’t care.

What might be going on in this scenario? Let’s look first at your moves: No doubt you started out frustrated and annoyed (reactive emotions) because of how the dishwasher was being loaded (trigger).

When this happened, you tried to get your partner’s attention to try to let them know that you were feeling let down or

like you weren’t on the same team (how you coped), but it came out critical. Later on, when you noticed your partner continuing to withdraw and continued to feel as though you couldn’t get their attention (trigger), you tried asking more questions (coping), which your partner may have also read as critical or nagging. The more you try to get their attention (pursue), the more they move away or clam up (withdraw). This withdrawal may look to you like a refusal to communicate, but, quite often, this may be your partner’s way of protecting themselves, the relationship, or

both. By not engaging, your partner may be attempting to avoid an argument. This pattern is your negative cycle.

But now you might be asking, “How can we even stop this from happening? All I want to do is for my partner to be able to talk to me!”

You’re right, this cycle may seem automatic and difficult to stop once it has started. However, here are a few tips that can help you stop engaging in the cycle and approach your partner in a way that leaves them feeling less defensive and shut down: 1.When you notice yourself start to get irritated, pause and

ask yourself what might be bring on this irritated feeling.

Take a few slow, deep breaths before saying anything.

2.Ask yourself, “What am I actually feeling (deeper emotions)? Why am I finding this so irritating right now?”

3.When you do say something to your partner, try using “Istatements”.

This often sounds like: I feel __(emotion)___ when ___(situation happens)___. What I need is _____. Using “I-statements” can help your partner from getting defensive and shutting down.

Over time, this negative cycle can get exhausting. Understanding more about the negative cycle and what it looks like for you and your partner is the first step toward stopping it and creating a pattern where you both feel more secure and loved. When you understand your moves in the cycle, it may help you understand a bit more about your partner’s response (or non-response). p

References: Johnson, S. M. (2019). The Practice of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy: Creating connection (3rd ed.). Routledge.

Article written by Heather Frick, AMFT #116509, supervised by Jennine Estes LMFT#47653 Republished with the kind permission of Estes Therapy. Visit www.estestherapy.com

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Love, Health & Travel

CDC: OK for COVID Shot for Teens 12-15

BY KERRY DOOLEY YOUNG, ALICIA AULT WEBMD HEALTH NEWS

T

he Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for teens age 12 to 15 gained final federal authorization on Wednesday as the director of the CDC urged parents to get their children immunized.

“This official CDC action opens vaccination to approximately 17 million adolescents in the United States and strengthens our nation’s efforts to protect even more people from the effects of COVID-19,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, MD, said in a statement announcing her decision to accept a committee’s vote earlier Wednesday that the vaccine be recommended for use. “Getting adolescents vaccinated means their faster return to social activities and can provide parents and caregivers peace of mind knowing their family is protected.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted 14-0 earlier in the day to recommend the vaccine’s use for younger teens and adolescents. The vote comes after the FDA on Monday granted emergency

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use authorization for use of the vaccine in younger teens after it first cleared it in December for those ages 16 and older.

Walenksy urged parents to seriously consider vaccinating their children.

“Understandably, some parents want more information before their children receive a vaccine,” she said.

“I encourage parents with questions to talk to your child’s healthcare provider or your family doctor to learn more about the vaccine.”

Separately, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement on Wednesday calling on parents to get their children vaccinated. in support of vaccinating all children ages 12 and older who are eligible.

“As a pediatrician and a parent, I have looked forward to getting my own children and patients vaccinated, and I am thrilled that those ages 12 and older can now be protected,” AAP President Lee Savio Beers, MD, said in a statement. “The data continue to show that this vaccine is safe and effective. I urge all parents to call their pediatrician to learn more about how to get their children and teens vaccinated.”

The expanded clearance for the Pfizer vaccine is seen as a critical step for allowing teens to resume activities on which they missed out during the pandemic.

“We’ve seen the harm done to children’s mental and emotional health as they’ve missed out on so many experiences during the pandemic,” Beers said. “Vaccinating children will protect them and allow them to fully engage in all of the activities — school, sports, socializing with friends and family — that are so important to their health and development.”

Meanwhile, health care providers in some states didn’t wait for the CDC panel’s decision and began immunizing children with the Pfizer vaccine this week.

The Delaware Division of Public Health opened four clinics on Wednesday and said it would start administering the Pfizer vaccine to children age 12 or older immediately.

“Written parental consent is required to vaccinate individuals younger than 18 years old, however the parent is not required to be on site with the child during the vaccination,” according to a statement from the agency.

"As we look to increase our vaccinated population, especially to reach young people who will be going back to college and school at the end of summer, these new vaccination-only clinics have the capacity to administer thousands of vaccines a week," Division Director Karyl Rattay, MD, said in the statement.

The Georgia Department of Public Health also updated its website to note that the Pfizer vaccine was immediately available to anyone age 12 or older.

CNN reported that some parents and children had lined up and received the shot at state-sponsored vaccine sites on Tuesday.p

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Love, Health & Travel

New York Expecting Big Crowds on the Water

B

oaters are planning to increase their on-water activity this summer, according to a pandemic-influenced survey of 3,500 boaters by the nation’s premier onwater assistance provider Sea Tow Services International.

Summer Boating Statistics: •52% of boaters surveyed anticipate their boating activity to increase this summer compared to last year.

•52% plan to use their boat primarily for fishing (65% inshore / 30% off-shore / 5% freshwater).

•30% have found it more difficult to find dockage and/or marina space.

•20% cite the pandemic as the reason for extending their boating season again in 2021.

•24% plan to vacation on/by boat (versus other forms of travel) because of the pandemic.

•35% plan to use their boat primarily for cruising near their home.

•16% upgraded to a larger boat in 2020 or plan to do so in 2021.

“Our member survey has typically been a very strong indicator for seasonal recreational boating trends,” said Kristen Frohnhoefer, President of Sea Tow. “Last year, Sea Tow saw a 34% increase in requests for on-water assistance in the summer of 2020, and our nationwide network of captains are anticipating another busy season for 2021.”

With the sale of a record number of new boats in over a decade and an influx of new boaters, Sea Tow noted that in

2020 owners of new boats were 142% more likely to need ungrounding services, 108% more likely to need fuel delivered to them and 11.2% more likely to need a battery jump.

Alternately, new boat owners are 22% less likely to need a tow.

“These numbers are very interesting,” Frohnhoefer says, “they reflect the fact that new boaters are not yet familiar with things like shifting sandbars and hard to navigate channels, or how to manage

their fuel, like their more seasoned counterparts – which is getting them into trouble and causing them to call us for assistance. But likewise, these stats demonstrate what we’ve been saying all along – that when it comes to new boats, on-water assistance typically is needed due to user error, not mechanical failure, as newer boats and engines are more reliable than ever before.”

With the number of new boaters recreating on the

water, the need for boating education has never been more important. 69% of boaters surveyed are looking for more advice on local navigational assistance, mishap prevention and general boating basics.

“2021 is sure to be another banner year for boating,” says Frohnhoefer, “with the unofficial start of summer only a few weeks away, we’ll find out real soon if these trends for recreational boating activity are in fact here to stay.”p

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Generations

Getting Started with Advance Care Planning

A

dvance care planning is not just about old age. At any age, a medical crisis could leave you too ill to make your own health care decisions. Even if you are not sick now, planning for health care in the future is an important step toward making sure you get the medical care you would want, if you are unable to speak for yourself and doctors and family members are making the decisions for you.

Getting Started with Advance Care Planning Start by thinking about what kind of treatment you do or do not want in a medical emergency. It might help to talk with your doctor about how your current health conditions might influence your health in the future. For example, what decisions would you or your family face if your high blood pressure leads to a stroke? You can ask your doctor to help you understand and think through your choices before you put them in writing. Discussing advance care planning decisions with your doctor is free through Medicare during your annual wellness visit. Private health insurance

may also cover these discussions.

If you don't have any medical issues now, your family medical history might be a clue to help you think about the future. Talk with your doctor about decisions that might come up if you develop health problems similar to those of other family members.

In considering treatment decisions, your personal values are key. Is your main desire to have the most days of life? Or, would your focus be on quality of life, as you see it? What if an illness leaves you paralyzed or in a permanent coma and you need to be on a ventilator? Would you want that?

What makes life meaningful to you?

If your heart stops or you have trouble breathing, would you want to undergo life-saving measures if it meant that, in the future, you could be well enough to spend time with your family? Would you be content if the emergency leaves you simply able to spend your days listening to books on tape or gazing out the window?

But, there are many other scenarios.

Here are a few. What would you decide?

•If a stroke leaves you unable to move and then your heart stops, would you want CPR? What if you were also mentally impaired by a

stroke—does your decision change?

•What if you are in pain at the end of life? Do you want medication to treat the pain, even if it will make you more drowsy and lethargic?

•What if you are permanently unconscious and then develop pneumonia?

Would you want antibiotics and to be placed on a ventilator?

For some people, staying alive as long as medically possible, or long enough to see an important event like a grandchild's wedding, is the most important thing. An advance directive can help to make that possible.

Others have a clear idea about when they would no longer want to prolong their life. An advance directive can help with that, too.

Your decisions about how to handle any of these situations could be different at age 40 than at age 85. Or, they could be different if you have an incurable condition as opposed to being generally healthy. An advance directive allows you to provide instructions for these types of situations and then to change the instructions as you get older or if your viewpoint changes.p(NIH)

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Conversations

5 Things Employers Need to Know From the Mind the Workplace 2021 Report

BY TAYLOR ADAMS

M

ental Health America (MHA) recently released its Mind the Workplace 2021 Report to better understand the mental health challenges that employees across company size and industry have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, MHA surveyed over 5,000 employees across 17 industries to learn more about workplace stress, burnout, supervisor support, and financial insecurity. Here are five things from the report that every employer needs to know, and steps they can take to promote a mentally healthier work environment.

Burnout is a serious mental health concern for employees.

If 2019 was the year that officially defined burnout, then 2020 was the year of living it.

According to MHA’s report,

83% of employees feel emotionally drained from their work, and 25% of employees feel reduced professional efficacy and cynicism towards their jobs and coworkers. Of employees who strongly agreed that they feel emotionally drained by their work, 99% agreed that their workplace stress affects their mental health. If ignored, burnout can lead to more serious mental health concerns like anxiety or depression.

An employer can help prevent or mitigate the impact of burnout on their employees by (1) educating and frequently communicating with managers and employees about the signs of burnout, (2) providing paid time off (PTO), workload management, and position flexibil-

ity to all staff, and (3) modeling healthy behaviors such as taking time off or talking openly about job stressors.

Supervisor support is critical to employee mental health.

Remember the expression “employees leave managers, not companies”? I would argue employees leave managers and companies (managers and company cultures can both be toxic), but there is no doubt that a fair and effective manager is crucial to an employee’s experience and well-being. I still remember the name of my first supervisor at age 17, simply because his poor and misguided management continues to motivate me to promote better workplace mental health now. Nine in 10 employees report that their workplace stress affects their mental health, but only 2 in 5 employees are receiving the support they need to help manage stress.

If you are a supervisor, consider the following tips: (1) do not be afraid to provide emotional support, like asking “How are you feeling?”, (2) be flexible and realistic about your expectations for direct reports, (3) stay connected with coworkers, particularly in high-stress or remote work environments, and (4) practice self-care, because you deserve emotional support too.

Changing work environments and routines are affecting employee engagement.

Work environments have drastically changed over the last year, including the addition of personal protective equipment (PPE), social distancing in workplace settings, and shifts to remote work environments. Employees may also have lost childcare services, are homeschooling their children, or are sharing a workspace with spouses, partners, or parents.

MHA’s 2020 survey results reveal that over 65% of employees find it difficult to concentrate because of their work environment, compared to 46% of respondents in 2018. Also, over 56% of employees reported that they spend time looking for a new position, compared to 40% of respondents in 2018. Fortunately, employees who feel acknowledged and accepted at work are less likely to seek out other employment opportunities.

Most employers are not providing a safe environment for employees who live with mental health conditions.

For employees who live with mental health conditions, this report’s findings likely come as no surprise. Mental illness in the workplace is often misunderstood and kept quiet, which isn’t exactly conducive to creating a welcoming envi-

ronment for the people who navigate these issues daily.

Over 56% of employees did not feel like their employers provide a safe and welcoming environment for employees who live with mental illnesses.

Less than 5% of respondents strongly agreed with this statement. Five percent!

Creating a welcoming environment for employees who live with mental health conditions requires a change in culture, and changing culture requires thoughtful leadership and substantial investment. If your workplace is interested in an assessment of its mental health practices, check out MHA’s Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health at www.mhanational.org/beste mployers.

Employees are feeling the financial strain of the COVID19 pandemic.

According to the report, 58% of employees worry about not having enough money to pay for their living expenses, and 2 in 3 employees cannot save for an emergency. In addition, 34% of employees cannot afford their health care costs.

Federal and state minimum wage legislation and poverty guidelines have historically failed to meet employees’ realistic financial needs. Economic insecurity is a well-documented socioeconomic determinant of health, and the pandemic’s effects on employee well-being only reinforces the need to alleviate position and financial insecurity for employees through policy change.

In 2020, Congress passed a series of COVID-19 relief packages to alleviate the economic fallout of the pandemic.

Unfortunately, the stimulus payments to individuals served as a temporary and inadequate solution for systemic wage and income equality.

MHA supports systemic change in minimum wage and income equality policy to ensure all employees feel financially secure, especially in the event of a traumatic event or emergency, such as a global pandemic.p Taylor Adams is the Director of Workplace Mental Health at Mental Health America

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May 2021

26

NYC Elections 2021

Can You Vote in New York City’s June 22 Primary Election?

BY ALLISON DIKANOVI, THE CITY

W

e’re officially six weeks out from Primary Day on June 22. But there’s another date you need to mark on your calendar: May 28. That’s the last day you can register to vote in the June 22 primary.

To help make sure that as many New Yorkers as possible participate in choosing our next leaders, here’s a breakdown of who has the right to vote in New York, how to register and how to help someone register to vote.

If you’re already registered to vote, feel free to share this article with others. As we’ve said what seems like a million times, these elections will be crucial in shaping the city’s post-pandemic future.

Who has the right to vote in New York?

To be able to cast a ballot in

New York, you need to be a U.S. citizen who has lived in the city/state for at least 30 days, not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction and at least 18 years old.

If you turn 18 on or before June 22, you’ll be able to vote, so make sure you register now.

And remember, all 16 and 17 year olds can pre-register to vote, which means you automatically become a registered voter the day you turn 18.

Can I vote if I am an immigrant?

If you have become a naturalized U.S. citizen since moving here, you can vote.

Otherwise, you can’t vote in New York… yet.

A coalition of nonprofit organizations has been pushing to expand city voting to nearly 900,000 immigrants across the five boroughs, including green card holders, DACA recipients and people with certain work permits.

Paul Westrick, senior manager of democracy policy at the New York Immigration Coalition, said: “It’s a huge population of New Yorkers who may not have the piece of paper that they’re a citizen, but they’re New Yorkers. We have folks who are woven into the fabric of New York City and who are being taxed but not represented.”

The expansion has broad support in the City

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Council, among a few borough presidents, numerous local state and federal elected officials and even from some mayoral candidates, but it will not pass before this year’s elections.

If the measure passes later, it would mean non-citizen immigrants with certain statuses could vote in New York City municipal elections, but not in statewide or national contests.

Keep your eyes out for 2023.

What if I’ve been convicted of a felony?

Big news: Just last week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a law that gives people back their right to register to vote as soon as they’re released from prison. That includes everyone still on parole or probation, even those convicted of a felony.

“Anyone who has been formerly incarcerated and is now out in the community has the right to vote. There’s no sort of question or anything like that,” said Nick Encalada-Malinowski, director of VOCAL-NY’s Civic Rights Campaign.

In 2018, Cuomo issued an executive order that granted the right to vote to most but not all people on parole through a partial pardon process. It was a little confusing, so the new law clears it up and makes the right permanent for anyone who has been formerly incarcerated.

To be clear, because there is a lot of confusion and misinformation about this: State law now says if you were incarcerated and now you’re out, you have the right to register to vote.

When someone is released from prison, they do need to re-register to vote, even if they were a registered voter before they were incarcerated.

What if I’ve moved? Do I need to reregister?

If you’ve moved from out of state, you need to re-register. But if you’ve moved from somewhere else in New York, you just need to file a change of address request with the Board of Elections/post office/DMV so you can vote in your current district.

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How do I register to vote?

You have a few options: If you have a New York driver’s license or state ID from the Department of Motor Vehicles, you can register online using this tool from NYC Votes and TurboVote.

If you don’t have a New York driver’s license or state ID, the law requires that you sign a form and mail it to the Board of Elections office.

You will be asked to plug in your name as it appears on your state ID. If you don’t have one, that’s OK. Just

put how your name appears on official documents.

You can request voter registration forms in various languages by calling 1-866-VOTENYC. Lastly, you can pick up voter registration forms at any library branch, any post office or any city agency office.

After you fill them out, mail them to the BOE’s main office: Board of Elections, 32 Broadway, 7 Fl New York, NY 10004-1609 And make sure it’s postmarked by May 28.

Other materials needed: If you don’t have a state ID, you will need to provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.

To vote in the June 22 election, you have to register with a party If you want to vote in the primary election next month, you need to register with a party. This is because New York has what’s called a closed primary.

For example, to choose from the 13 Democratic candidates for mayor, you need to be registered as a Democrat. If you’re not affiliated with a party or you’re registered as an independent, you can’t vote in the primaries.

According to city Campaign Finance Board officials, there were nearly 5 million registered voters in New York City as of March. Of those, about 3.3 million are registered Democrats and eligible to vote in the Democratic primaries. Just under 500,000 are registered Republicans in the city who may vote in Republican primaries. About a million voters are either registered with a third party or have no party affiliation, so they can’t vote in the primary. If you want to vote June 22, check your party.

The deadline to switch parties was Feb. 14, so it’s too late to change your party before the primary.

Don’t miss the registration deadline!

Once again, you have to register by May 28. New York does not have same-day registration. If you aren’t already registered and you don’t apply either online or send in your forms, postmarked by May 28, you will not be able to vote in the June 22 primary. Remember: Early voting starts June 12.l

This article is adapted from our weekly Civic Newsroom newsletter, which is sent out every Tuesday. Published on May 11, 2021.

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