Third Avenue Business Improvement District - Snow // Opposition to Council Bills // Resources

 

We put small businesses and families first. During a global pandemic which has decimated entire industries Third Avenue Business Improvement District continues to put small businesses and families first.  Today, we joined leading business organizations and employers, large and small, for profit and non-profit, across multiple industries, to demand relief and smart policies from our NYC, NYS, and federal elected officials.  It is time to put politics aside and focus on smart governing. We demand resources in the form of rent relief and grants, we have and continue to implore City Hall for less red tape and more opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Your neighborhood organization will continue to be here - we will continue to advocate for you.  You will always have a partner in the Third Avenue Business Improvement District. On behalf of the representatives of New York City’s employers, large and small, for profit and non-profit, across multiple industries, we are writing to oppose NYC City Council Intros. 1396 and 1415. These outrageous and unlawful bills will shutter struggling businesses across the city. The elimination of at-will employment and mandating that business owners use length of employment as the defining factor for layoffs is an inappropriate and illegal overreach by the City Council.    Should the City Council pass these bills, there will be significantly less employment opportunity in the quick service restaurant industry, long known as a generator of jobs to vulnerable populations who may face substantial barriers to employment. This includes non-English speakers, immigrants, formerly incarcerated individuals, working parents and students.   We hope the City Council will consider our thousands of employees and the most economically vulnerable New Yorkers. As so many people in our city are already struggling to stay afloat and so many businesses are struggling to keep their door open due to the pandemic’s impact, now is not the time to target small businesses again.   As the Governor and the Mayor continue to impose devastating restrictions on the restaurant industry, the Council’s bills would only cause greater hardship and force more New Yorkers into unemployment. The language contained within both pieces of legislation is reminiscent of collective bargaining language, which should be hammered out at the bargaining table and which the City Council has no legal right to impose on business owners. We implore the City Council to reconsider the very serious consequences of this legislation. We request that these bills be pulled from this week’s agenda before any further action is taken. Problems with the 32BJ Bills as written - CLICK HERE NYC Save Small Business Press Conference footage - CLICK HERE There is a snow advisory for #NYC with projected snowfall in excess of 8 inches. Third Avenue Business Improvement District will be out during the storm: ✅ Clearing crosswalks and pedestrian cuts ✅ Salting public space and stairways ✅ Clearing catch basins to prevent flooding.   If you see any unsafe conditions, please report it to 311 and the BID office at jmedina@thirdavenuebid.org or if an emergency 911. This is a reminder that all business owners are responsible for shoveling in front of their establishment. If a property is vacant, the property owner is responsible for snow removal. For more information, click here