|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, September 7, 2022
Nos Quedamos is HIRING the 2nd Cohort of Youth Change Agents! Deadline: Sept 16th
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
|
|
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.
Essex County Man Admits Using Credit Cards and Checks Stolen from U.S. Mail to Attempt to Defraud Banks of Over $250,000
An Essex County, New Jersey, man admitted scheming with others to use credit cards and checks that were stolen from the mail by at least two U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employees to make hundreds of thousands of dollars of purchases, Attorney for the United States Vikas Khanna announced.
Adeeb Salih, 30, of East Orange, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kevin McNulty in Newark federal court to an information charging him with conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
According to documents filed in this and other cases and statements made in court:
Salih obtained checks, including U.S. Treasury checks, and credit cards from Yaseen Salih, 25, and Jahad Salter, 26, who had recruited USPS employees, including Khadijah Banks Oneal, 31, and Ashley Taylor, 28, to steal the credit cards and checks from the mail in exchange for compensation. Once they obtained the stolen credit cards, Adeeb Salih, Yaseen Salih, and Salter fraudulently posed as the accountholders of the stolen cards when calling the banks that issued the cards and used personal identifying information belonging to the accountholders to obtain or change information about the stolen credit cards. They then used the stolen credit cards to make purchases in New Jersey and elsewhere. Adeeb Salih also caused the stolen checks to be deposited into bank accounts that he controlled and withdrew proceeds from those checks from the accounts in the form of cash. This resulted in attempted losses of over $250,000.
Yaseen Salih, Salter, Banks-Oneal, and Taylor previously pleaded guilty for their respective roles in this scheme and are awaiting sentencing.
The charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud carries a maximum punishment of 30 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2023.
Attorney for the United States Khanna credited postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Damon Wood, Philadelphia Division; and special agents of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the U.S. Marshals Service, District of New Jersey; the U.S. Secret Service, New York Field Office; the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Mid-Atlantic Field Division; the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, Newark Field Office; the Livingston, New Jersey Police Department; the Newark Police Department; the Essex County Sheriff’s Office; the New Providence, New Jersey, Police Department; and the Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, Police Department, for their assistance.
Governor Hochul Announces the Start of 2022 Fall Foliage and Travel Season in New York State
View Weekly I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Reports Available Every Wednesday, Beginning September 14, Here
Watch New Broadcast and Digital Marketing Campaign Showcasing Popular Seasonal Attractions and Destinations Here
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the start of New York State's 2022 fall foliage and travel season, highlighted by the return of I LOVE NY's Fall Foliage Reports and a new I LOVE NY broadcast and digital marketing campaign to showcase popular fall activities and attractions. I LOVE NY is also collaborating with the state's network of heritage tourism destinations on this year's Path Through History Weekend, scheduled for October 8 to 10, which will feature special events and activations at the state's rich history and historic sites.
"From colorful foliage and unparalleled natural landscapes to breathtaking historical sites and one-of-a-kind state parks, there's nothing like New York in the fall," Governor Hochul said. "During this season, we invite travelers from New York and out-of-state to plan a perfect autumn adventure - whether it's climbing an Adirondack peak, visiting a Long Island winery, or walking along Buffalo's waterfront - and see what our great state has to offer."
Fall is one of New York's most popular travel seasons, attracting visitors from around the world who support local businesses while exploring the unique and diverse communities across the state. To help travelers and foliage enthusiasts plan a fall getaway, I LOVE NY's weekly foliage reports are issued every Wednesday, beginning on September 14. They are compiled using the on-location field observations from I LOVE NY's team of more than 85 volunteer leaf spotters throughout the state's 11 vacation regions. The spotters track color changes in their area, detailing the prevalent leaf colors, approximate percentage of change, and how much color change has progressed relative to peak conditions.
The reports also include an interactive foliage map, available on the I LOVE NY website, that tracks weekly changes and progression across the state throughout the season. The map includes recommended foliage viewing locations in each of the state's vacation regions, plus examples of peak foliage in a given area, and information about popular local and regional attractions. New this year, the interactive foliage map will include an option to filter attractions by category, including food & drink, and arts & culture.
Travelers are invited to share their photos of New York State's picturesque foliage on social media by using the #NYLovesFall hashtag. Photos submitted to this hashtag have a chance of being featured on the I LOVE NY fall foliage website and official I LOVE NY social media accounts reaching more than two million followers. I LOVE NY recently launched a TikTok account to reach additional audiences, complementing its existing accounts on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Thanks in part to its size and location, New York State traditionally has one of the longest and most colorful foliage seasons in the country. On any weekend from late September through mid-November, part of the state is likely experiencing peak foliage. Fall foliage reports and the interactive map are available at www.iloveny.com/foliage, or toll-free at 800-CALL-NYS (800-225-5697) from anywhere in the U.S., its territories and Canada.
About New York State
New York State is a premier vacation destination with world-class attractions, picturesque natural beauty, locally sourced cuisine and a booming craft beverage scene, an array of accommodations, and iconic, year-round festivals and events. Its 11 diverse vacation regions feature some of the world's top ranked beaches; two out of America's top three favorite state parks; breathtaking Niagara Falls; more ski areas than any other state; one of the nation's longest foliage seasons; multiple Halls of Fame; North America's longest, fastest and highest zipline; the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States; and the country's longest multi-use trail. Add in the state's unique museums, historic landmarks, cultural sites, charming small towns and urban playgrounds, and it's no wonder New York has been consistently chosen as a top getaway by travel publications and experts.
Permits Filed For 130 East 165th Street In Concourse, The Bronx
Permits have been filed for an eight-story residential building at 130 East 165th Street in Concourse, The Bronx. Located between Walton Avenue and Grand Concourse, the lot is near the 167th Street subway station, serviced by the B and D trains. Jacob Kohn is listed as the owner behind the applications.
The proposed 80-foot-tall development will yield 40,812 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 75 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 544 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar and a 30-foot-long rear yard.
Nikolai Katz Architect is listed as the architect of record.
Demolition permits have not been filed yet. An estimated completion date has not been announced.