TRANSCRIPT: MAYOR ERIC ADAMS, UNIONS, ADVOCATES, BRONXITES DELIVER REMARKS AT AFFORDABLE HOUSING RALLY FOR THE EAST BRONX

 

EDITOR'S NOTE:

This transcript comes from the mayor's office.

Kyle Bragg, President of Local 32BJ SEIU: Good morning. I'm Kyle Bragg and I'm president of 32BJ SEIU. And I'm super psyched to be here this morning to support affordable housing here in our city. It's not just housing that we need in our city, but we need good jobs that accompanies housing. The bottom line is we need affordable housing throughout our communities. Our city needs affordable housing and it can be done and it can be done right. And that's what this project is about, that I'm so happy to be here to support. Multifamily housing not only provides affordable housing for the city, but it also provides good paying jobs with benefits. And that's why 32BJ is happy to stand in support of this Bruckner project.

 

We also are supportive of developments that we need in this community because it not only builds housing, but is also taking care of our seniors and our youth. They're building a supermarket and making space for senior citizen housing as well. So I want everyone to know that 32BJ and its members who live in this community are super excited about this because they get the opportunity to not only see affordable housing, but to work in the communities that they live in. So thank you everyone. And now I get to bring up a longtime friend and ally, the Commissioner of HPD Adolfo Carrión.

 

Commissioner Adolfo Carrión, Jr., Department of Housing Preservation and Development: Thank you everybody. Thank you. Thank you, Kyle. Thank you very much my friend, Kyle. Good morning, everybody. Welcome to the City Hall steps. My name is Adolfo Carrión. Like Kyle said, I am the commissioner of housing for the City of New York. I'm here as commissioner of housing, but more importantly, I'm here as a New Yorker and I'm here as a Bronxite.

 

Before I share my thoughts about this and introduce the mayor, I just want to call out some friends and supporters and people who are championing affordable housing in every neighborhood across the city. They, like Mayor Adams and this administration, do want to create a city of yes. A city that affirmatively looks forward. A city that builds. A city that's affordable. A city that's user friendly. A city that's family friendly, and that will continue to grow and prosper. And these friends are — let's hear it for 32BJ. Let's hear it for los amigos from Laborers Local 79. Oh, they're a little louder than 32BJ man.

 

Audience members: (Chanting) 32BJ. 79. 79. 79.

 

Commissioner Carrión: Every New Yorker likes a little competition. You know what I mean?

 

Audience members: All good.

 

Commissioner Carrión: I want to thank our friends from the New York Housing Conference. Give them a big applause. Thank you Rachel and Brendan and the team. How about Open New York? Open New York. There we go. And one of my favorites is the Bronx institution in the neighborhood, the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club. Give it up for the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club. 

 

(Applause)

 

So let me just tell you why I thought it was so important to be here and why the mayor said, guys, we got to get together and we have to make a public statement, supporting the idea and the ideal of making New York affordable for every kind of New Yorker. If you are a young family just starting out in New York City, you need affordable housing. If you are a person who's an older New Yorker, who's lived out their dreams, has raised a family, and now you're going into your retirement years, you need affordable housing. If you are a New Yorker who works for government as a cop, as a nurse, as a teacher, you need affordable housing. If you are a working family, if you are one of those people who trudges every day on the subway and on buses to get to these office buildings, to the restaurants, to all the places, the entertainment centers, the hotels everywhere, all across the city, you need affordable housing. And I'll finish with this and hand it off to the mayor. Couple of weeks ago, Mr. Mayor, I meet a mom — African American woman, dedicated lifelong teacher — raised four boys in Central Harlem who went to college. Those four boys went to college and left. They came back and they could not find affordable housing in their own neighborhood. So they went to Newark and Philly and Atlanta. We need affordable housing in every corner of this city. Every neighborhood needs to do its part. This is a partnership.

And now ladies and gentlemen, our leader, the leader for this time, the great mayor of the City of New York, Mayor Eric Adams.

 

(Applause)

 

Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you. Thank you so much. And I don't think the term is leader, but servant. I'm here to serve the people of this city to move us in the right direction. And nothing is more important and paramount. We hear all over the city no matter where we go — we hear affordable housing, housing, housing, housing. That is the number one issue that we hear. Far too often people who are the doormen, the cleaners, people who are the laborers, the contractors, the builders, they cannot afford to live in the space that they are building and developing in their city. That is at the heart of this issue. And who we're talking about? We're talking about the men and women who are members of the unions that are behind us. You hear everyone articulate and talk about the need of affordable housing. We need it, we need it, we need it. Let's build housing. Let's build housing. “Oh, but not on my block. Not in my neighborhood. Not near my park. Not near my school.” No, that can't happen. If you do an analysis of where we're putting this good housing, this is in an area where it has no affordable housing.

 

The lack of diversity in this community of believing that you can only have certain communities that you could develop in, that is not acceptable. This is a city that's diverse. This is a city where veterans are looking for housing — those men and women who you salute every day because they protected our country. This is a city where our nurses, our porters, our workers are looking for affordable housing. You gave them a hand clap at 7 p.m., yet you don't want to develop in your community to give them the housing they deserve. That is unacceptable. That is unacceptable.

 

This is the city where you have PAAs, those 911 operators who field those emergency calls, but they can't live in the communities that they are keeping safe and protected. This is a city where all income brackets deserve to have the appropriate housing that they're looking for. This project is just right, it's the right project for the right time. And if you start placing barriers around communities stating that you can't live here or build here, that is an unacceptable place. If you look at this place that we are bringing, in places like district 13 in the Bronx, only 58 affordable homes have been built since 2014 — 58. While we have a housing crisis, we have drawn a line around certain communities and say, “You cannot build here.” Not in our city. Not in our place where we believe everyone deserves to live.

 

And this project — I have to take my hat off to Jessica Katz and our entire team for finding the right project and pushing forward on this. This project brings 349 homes, 168 of which are affordable. This is a right equation. There's no reason we are pushing back on this. For our seniors — we just saw AARP. If you were to ask them, what's their number one issue, they're going to tell you affordable housing. They're going to say they want to live in affordable city. Our veterans, affordable city. Our city workers, 320,000 of them want to live in an affordable city. We want an affordable city and it starts with a house. Your home is more than just four walls, it's a precursor that allows you to experience the American dream. The nightmarish reality that far too many people find the city unaffordable. We're losing our talent, we're losing our people, we're losing our city because it's too expensive here.

 

One of the most impressive prophets of our time has a quote I want to say, the rent is too damn high. And we need to find places where the rent can be affordable. So I thank Local 79. I thank 32BJ. I thank the Laborers. I thank these union men and women who have come together to say it in a uniform voice that we want affordable housing all over this city. No neighborhood or community should be exempt of making sure that we allow all our residents to live together. We want to diversify our schools? Diversify our housing. We want to diversify access to healthy food? Diversify our housing. We want to diversify, how do we bring down hate crimes? Diversify the communities. If we want to diversify our city, we could live together in unison, but you can't do it if some areas are more expensive or too expensive for everyday New Yorkers. The entire city belongs to our city. This is a good project that'll place us on the right pathway of ensuring we get the affordability we're looking for. Thank you union members.

Nos Quedamos is HIRING the 2nd Cohort of Youth Change Agents! Deadline: Sept 16th

 

Nos Quedamos is HIRING Cohort 2 of Youth Change Agents! Submission Closing: September 16th

We Stay/Nos Quedamos is looking for emerging and dynamic Youth Change Agents—ages15-25—interested in an opportunity to strengthen and develop your skills as a community leader around environmental justice issues. Apply! Download flyer.

HEALING YOUR MIND, BODY AND SOUL ONE ROOFTOP GARDEN AT A TIME 1. Create space to discuss environmental impacts on community 2. Inform community on how we can use available tools (rooftop garden and community spaces) to combat these issues 3. Encourage conversations around creating our own healing spaces to add to the community’s sustainable resilience

Role: Youth Organizer Pay: $15/hr Commitment: 15 hours a week Schedule: Tuesday and Thursdays from 10am-5pm and Fridays from 10am-5pm Requirement: You MUST be between the ages of 18 and 24 to apply for this position

Submission deadline: September 16, 2022 — by 5:00pm.

Details at: www.nosquedamos.org/youth-matters-is-hiring-cohort-2 If interested, submit a resume and cover letter to our Resiliency Organizer, Imani Cenac at: icenac@nosquedamos.org

Nos Quedamos is a firm supporter of Equal Employment Opportunity laws and practices. Read our EEO Policy.

Comptroller Lander and Coalition of Investors Urge Apple to Respect Workers’ Rights

Shareholders filed a proposal calling on the company to conduct an independent assessment of workers’ rights.

Apple’s reported interference with unionization efforts stands in sharp contrast to its own human rights policy and to competitor Microsoft’s adoption of neutral policies that foster an environment conducive to freedom of association. 

 New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, on behalf of the five New York City Retirement Systems, announced today that the New York City Pension Funds have filed a shareholder proposal along with Parnassus Investments, Service Employees International Union Master Trust Pension Plan, SOC Investment Group and Trillium ESG Global Equity Fund, calling on the Apple Inc. (AAPL) Board of Directors to commission an independent, third-party assessment of Apple’s adherence to its stated commitment to workers’ freedom of association and collective bargaining rights. The New York City Retirement Systems own 24.6 million Apple shares, valued at $3.4 billion as of June 30, 2022.

 

Apple has a stated commitment to workers’ freedom of association and collective bargaining rights through its commitments to international human rights standards within its Human Rights Policy. Additionally, in Apple’s Supplier Code of Conduct, the company states, “Supplier[s] shall freely allow Workers’ lawful rights to associate with others, form and join (or refrain from joining) organizations of their choice, and bargain collectively, without interference, discrimination, retaliation, or harassment.”

 

Today’s announcement comes ahead of Apple’s annual flagship September event, which convenes industry professionals and media for a first look of the newest Apple products, including iPhone and Apple Watch models. This event is one of the most closely watched events in the technology industry.

 

This year’s annual Apple event comes on the heels of several unsettling reports of unfair labor practices filed on behalf of workers with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). As of August 25, 2022, the NLRB was investigating 14 charges of unfair labor practices involving Apple.

 

Apple employees have commenced efforts to unionize in stores across the nation. However, there have been numerous reports of Apple attempting to interfere with those efforts. The proposal also requests that Apple’s board lay out clear steps to remedy any practices inconsistent with Apple’s stated commitments.

 

“Shareholders are increasingly concerned that Apple’s actions with respect to its workers’ rights do not match up with the company’s stated commitment to respect freedom of association. The reports of Apple’s consistent interference with the ability of workers to exercise their fundamental rights to unionize are deeply troubling. As investors with more than $3 billion invested in Apple, the NYC pension funds expect management to ensure that the company adheres to its commitments to workers’ freedom of association and collective bargaining rights. I urge Apple’s board to take swift action and address the issues we have laid out in our proposal,” said Comptroller Brad Lander.

 

“Respecting workers’ rights is an essential obligation of every employer,” said Department of Finance Commissioner Preston Niblack, Chair of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System Board. “Apple’s board should lay out clear steps to remedy all practices inconsistent with its stated commitments to collective bargaining rights for its employees.”

 

“If big corporations won’t look out for their employee’s best interests, then the people will,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “I stand with Comptroller Lander and this coalition of investors to have an independent assessment of workers’ rights done to ensure no interference with unionization efforts. Apple has boasted about its commitment to international human rights standards and must hold themselves to that standard. Protecting our workers and their interest should be a priority for any company, especially one that employs as many people as Apple does.”

“Approval of unions has reached its highest point in nearly 60 years, and workers across the country are unionizing at incredible rates – it’s long past time that companies like Apple end their antiquated union-busting tactics,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “It is both hypocritical and unethical for our nation’s richest company to have a Human Rights Policy that commits to supporting workers’ freedom of association but then interferes in union activities. I urge Apple to set the standard and commission an independent assessment of workers’ rights and demonstrate that fair labor practices are fundamental to Apple’s business model.”

 

“As a NYCERS Trustee and union president, I am calling upon Apple to honor its public commitment to workers’ rights. Make those commitments more than politically correct sound bites. Make them real! Recent surveys have shown that today, there is a resurgence of union membership. Apple should not stand in the way of union organizing efforts but instead, embrace them and become a force of progress not regression. Both workers and the general public recognize that an organized labor force is mutually beneficial. Better products and services are delivered by employees who feel treated with dignity and respect. Apple should understand that with union workers, ultimately, everyone profits,” said Gregory Floyd, President of Teamsters Local 237 and New York City Employees’ Retirement System Trustee.

 

“Apple employees should have the freedom to join unions without anti-union pressure tactics from management – something that has been called into question during the last year,” said David Huerta, President of SEIU-USWW and Taft Hartley pension fund trustee. “Being labeled ‘anti-union’ poses financial risk. That’s why our resolution seeks to examine whether the company is acting contrary to its stated goals.”

 

“As shareholders, we are concerned that the apparent misalignment between Apple’s public commitments to workers’ freedom of association, versus workers’ reports of intimidation and interference in the face of union organizing, represents meaningful reputational, legal, and operational risks, and may negatively impact the company’s long-term value,” said Dieter Waizenegger, executive director of SOC Investment Group. “Greater transparency on these issues could help address concerns about Apple’s reputation and enable investors to assess its adherence to its human rights commitments and commitment to due diligence.”

 

“Apple’s Human Rights Policy contains a commitment to not interfere in worker rights to organize and collectively bargain. In light of over a dozen charges of unfair labor practices, we believe Apple needs to assess its adherence to that commitment and whether it is living up to its commitment to non-interference,” said Trillium Asset Management, LLC’s Chief Advocacy Officer Jonas D. Kron. “As recently reviewed in a Trillium whitepaper, there is strong evidence that respecting worker rights is good for investors, employers, and workers. But, beyond that, respect for human rights such as labor rights is the right thing to do.”

 

“At Parnassus, we believe that companies that respect their workers are better poised to deliver long-term sustainable shareholder value. As such, we are dismayed by Apple’s alleged interference in workers’ rights to freely associate and collectively bargain. Failing to respect workers’ rights may harm Apple’s reputation with consumers and hurt its ability to attract and retain a high-performing workforce – key tenets of Apple’s success,” said Marian Macindoe, Head of ESG Stewardship at Parnassus Investments. “We believe an independent assessment would provide assurance to Apple’s Board, management, and investors that the company is committed to its own policies and to high standards of ethical conduct.”

 

To read the proposal in full, click here.

Governor Hochul Announces New Yorkers Can Now Receive New COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Designed To Strengthen Defenses Against Omicron Subvariants

 

Updated COVID-19 Boosters for Individuals 12 Years and Older That Are Two Months Past Previous Booster or Original Series Completion

Masking Now Optional Where Previously Required In Settings Including Public Transportation, For-Hire Vehicles, Airports, Homeless Shelters, Correctional Facilities, and Detention Centers

To Find Nearby Locations Offering Updated COVID-19 Boosters, New Yorkers Can Text ZIP Code to 438829, Call 1-800-232-0233, or Visit Here

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the availability of bivalent COVID-19 vaccine boosters, which are designed to add Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants and bolster previous vaccination protection. The announcement follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendation to use updated COVID-19 boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech for anyone age 12 or older and from Moderna for those 18 or older. Governor Hochul made the announcement shortly before getting her booster shot at the Boriken Neighborhood Health Center in East Harlem today. To schedule an appointment for the updated COVID-19 booster, New Yorkers should contact their regular health care provider, local pharmacy, or local county health department. New Yorkers can also visit vaccines.gov, text their ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find nearby locations.     

"As we continue to contend with the effects of this pandemic on all our lives, we need to ensure we're using every tool available to us," Governor Hochul said. "Throughout the pandemic, New Yorkers have been smart, looked out for one another, and taken steps to protect themselves and their neighbors. Getting vaccinated and boosted remains our best shot at protecting ourselves and fellow New Yorkers, and I encourage everyone eligible to sign up and get the updated bivalent COVID-19 booster."

In addition, Governor Hochul announced that masking will now be optional in multiple settings where they were previously required, including on public transportation, in for-hire vehicles, at airports, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, and detention centers. Masks will continue to be required at adult care and health care facilities regulated by the state Department of Health, and in clinical settings regulated by the Office of Mental Health, Office of Addiction Services and Supports, and Office for People With Developmental Disabilities.

Providers in New York were able to pre-order these new boosters until August 30, with shipping of pre-ordered doses beginning late last week and already arriving at some locations. To be eligible to receive the updated bivalent COVID-19 booster, individuals must have completed their original vaccine series or received a booster at least two months before.     

State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, "The novel coronavirus has changed over time, with many new variants, including Omicron. These bivalent boosters for the first time are tailored to a circulating variant. I encourage all eligible New Yorkers to take advantage of this advance and contact their health provider, visit the local pharmacy, or call their county health department to get this booster as soon as possible."   

In the coming days, the state Department of Health will be issuing updated clinical guidance on the administration of bivalent booster doses to all providers enrolled in the New York State vaccination program. Providers that pre-ordered and received the COVID-19 bivalent booster doses are now authorized to begin administering them in accordance with the Federal Food and Drug Administration's emergency use authorization for these boosters and the updated CDC recommendations.   

Providers should also note that monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized for use as boosters for people ages 12 years or older, according to the updated federal guidance. Scheduled appointments to administer monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna boosters to people 12 years of age or older must be rescheduled for when locations have the bivalent COVID-19 vaccines available.   

In the weeks ahead, the CDC also indicated that it expects to recommend updated COVID-19 boosters for younger pediatric groups, as well. Until then, the monovalent mRNA Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine remains authorized for use as boosters in children ages 5 through 11 and for all primary series vaccinations.   

The state Department of Health continues to share CDC's recommendation that all eligible adults, adolescents, and children five years and older get fully vaccinated and receive the COVID-19 booster when eligible.   

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE’S MATERNAL HEALTH BILL OF RIGHTS ENACTED BY MAYOR

 Pregnant people across New York City saw their rights expanded and codified as Mayor Eric Adams signed legislation from Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams aimed at supporting maternal health and wellness and particularly targeted at reducing Black maternal mortality and pervasive maternal health disparities. The newly enacted law, co-prime sponsored by Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, creates a maternal health bill of rights, and helps ensure that all pregnant people in New York City have access to that information when they need it most. The landmark legislation was passed by the City Council last month.

“Birth equity is a social justice issue — and it’s one that’s especially urgent and deadly in New York City. It's one that has become personal to my family, and so many families across our city,” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. “This public health crisis is both under-acknowledged and under-addressed, but today, we’re taking invaluable and concrete steps to protect pregnant people in the five boroughs. Through the creation of a maternal health bill of rights with dedicated and sustained outreach to inform people of those rights, we are ensuring that these rights are upheld and New Yorkers are empowered to demand what they deserve. Thank you to Borough President Gibson for your partnership on both this bill and this issue, to the speaker and City Council for taking up these bills, and to the mayor for signing this historic legislation into law today.”

In the United States, Black women are three times more likely to die during childbirth than their white counterparts – in New York City, Black women are eight to twelve times more likely to die. This is often rooted in medical personnel overlooking, minimizing, or dismissing the health concerns of Black patients. Action on these issues is decades overdue, and while the current administration has taken some steps to address this inequity, maternal mortality and morbidity remains a problem – especially for Black women and pregnant people. Today’s vote is a massive step forwards for all pregnant people in the five boroughs, and towards building a safer and more equitable New York City. 

The law enacted today establishes a maternal health bill of rights and ensure a standard set of care for all pregnant people in New York City. It requires the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), together with the Commission on Human Rights, the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, and community organizations, to create a public education campaign in facilities that provide obstetric and gynecological care informing patients about the City Standards for Respectful Care at Birth, the right to be free from discrimination in relation to pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition, and health care proxy forms.

The legislation also requires DOHMH to inform patients about the right to reasonable accommodations in the workplace, and New York's paid family leave program through promotional materials at their locations. Information is essential to body autonomy and empowering people to seek the care they deserve, and anyone giving birth in New York City should know the rights and options available to them. 

This critical legislation comes amid a years long push in the Office of the Public Advocate to end the maternal mortality crisis in New York City, and only months after the Public Advocate shared his own family’s struggles with maternal health. This winter, after a long fertility struggle, a difficult pregnancy, and premature delivery, the Public Advocate and his wife welcomed their newborn daughter, Amani Elisadora. They have shared their story publicly in recent weeks and months in the hopes that it helps other New Yorkers feel supported, heard, and receive the care they need.

Last year, the Office of Public Advocate released an extensive report on the maternal mortality crisis, entitled Equitable Pregnancy Outcomes for Black and Brown New Yorkers, which analyzes systemic issues and outlines potential policy solutions. 

“We are in a state of emergency in our country when Black women are still three times more likely to die during childbirth and the mortality rate is even higher for Black women living in New York City,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Black birthing individuals in our city and across the United States, deserve to receive culturally sensitive, patient-centered care that is attuned to their unique needs free of bias and racism that has resulted in the deaths of too many pregnant people. With today`s legislation, we are saying enough is enough, and that New York City will take action to ensure birthing persons are aware of their rights and are protected under the law. Thank you to Public Advocate Jumaane Williams for his partnership in pushing Intro 86-A forward, Mayor Eric Adams, Speaker Adrienne Adams, the NYC Council Women`s Caucus, and our birth workers for their advocacy in ensuring all birthing individuals in our city receive the unbiased maternal care that they deserve before, during, and after childbirth.”

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson - Community Resources & Updates

 

Dear Neighbors,

 

Thank you for joining us for another week in review. We hope everyone had a joyful and restful Labor Day Weekend!

This week, we hosted our Voter Education Panel with the NYC Racial Justice Commission to learn about potential changes to the New York City Charter. Thank you to the Bronx Community Foundation, DC 37, the NYC Civic Engagement Commission, and Community Capacity Development for engaging in this important conversation with our residents and sharing such valuable information. To learn more, please click here.

We hosted our Trinidad and Tobago Flag Raising Ceremony - a first in Bronx Borough Hall History. Last week was full of TNT and West Indian Pride! Yesterday, Brooklyn graciously hosted us for the West Indian Day Parade and it was incredible. Our Caribbean community has contributed so much to our City and it was a joy to celebrate them.

On Sunday, we hosted our last Bronx Summer Concert Series of the 2022 season. It has been a blast! I looked forward to joining you every Sunday since we started in July. Your energy was incredible! I cannot wait for next year’s Bronx Summer Concert Series - it will be bigger and better. Thank you to our sponsors for helping us make this event possible. Thank you to my staff who put in so many hours of work before, after and during the concerts. Thank you for your labor of love. Last, but certainly not least, thank YOU for coming out week after week, rain or shine, for an afternoon of singing, dancing and community. We’ll see you next year!

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 718-590-3500 or email us at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov.

 

In partnership,

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson

UPCOMING EVENTS

IN THE COMMUNITY No days off! It’s always great to be in community, especially in celebration of culture! Our West Indian community always shows up and shows out! It was great to see everyone out representing their island.  Shout out to all my TNT New Yorkers.   Our Summer Concert Series at Orchard Beach has been amazing! It’s been such a great experience to join with all of you week after week at our Bronx Riviera for a day of singing and dancing. Thank you to everyone who joined us today for our last hoorah! Thank you to everyone who has attended our Summer Concert since we started in July!! Thank you to ALL of our incredible performers! Thank you to our sponsors for their support. See you next year! ICYMI If you want to learn more about Congestion Pricing, please click here.