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Monday, September 6, 2021
THENEWBXCC - Bronx Business News You Can Use
Team AOC - PRO Act - Protecting the Right to Organize Act
This Labor Day, we’re breaking down the most urgent way we can support workers right now.
We have the opportunity to protect unions and expand labor rights by passing the Protecting the Right to Organize Act – known as the PRO Act. The PRO Act passed in the House, but we need to put more pressure on to get it passed in the Senate.
First, why unions?
A union gives workers the ability to act together to advocate for safe working conditions, improve their wages and benefits, and protect their rights through collective bargaining and action.
Nationwide, union workers make 13.2% more in wages than nonunion workers and are more likely to have employer-provided pensions, health insurance, and other benefits.1
Studies show that unions reduce inequality and are essential for low- and middle-wage workers’ to get their fair share of economic growth.2 We know that declining unionization beginning in the 1970s has fueled rising inequality and stalled economic progress for the middle class.
In addition, giving workers a voice and leverage is essential for democracy. Unions increase participation in political causes and have been proven effective at getting people to the polls.3
Why the decline in unionization?
Current labor laws do far too little to protect workers who exercise their right to form or join a union.
Employers frequently threaten, harass, and intimidate workers who seek to form or join a union, even firing union activists. It’s a major reason why the share of workers in unions has decreased from 33.2% in 1956 to 10.7% in 2016.4
What would the PRO Act do?
The PRO Act would strengthen protections for workers who want to unionize by supporting workers who suffer retaliation from their employers and enhance the rights of workers to boycott, strike, and take other collective action.
It would prevent employers from using loopholes to deny pay, benefits, and rights to employees and forbid employer interference in union elections.
This law would make it illegal for employers to use company-sponsored meetings with mandatory attendance to lobby against a union-organizing drive and establish monetary penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights.
Lastly, it would prevent an employer from using an employee’s immigration status against them when determining the terms of their employment.
What’s next?
In May, we joined the Democratic Socialists of America to reach voters in states where crucial Senators have yet to sign onto the PRO Act.
Together we made 934,000 dials across Arizona, Maine, West Virginia, Virginia, and Alaska talking to voters about why we need to pass the PRO Act and rebuild our labor movement.
By building that pressure coming from people across the country, we flipped Senator Angus King of Maine and Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia to support the PRO Act. But we still need more Senators to step up.
Together, we can build the largest unionized workforce in history that will fight and win for working families across the country. Please stay tuned for more updates and ways you can help pass the PRO Act.
In solidarity,
Team AOC
Update From Senator Biaggi Regarding Hurricane Ida: Apply for FEMA Financial Assistance
Good afternoon, I am reaching out with an update for households that have experienced damage due to Hurricane Ida. Earlier today, President Joe Biden approved Governor Kathy Hochul’s expedited Major Disaster Declaration that will provide federal financial relief for local governments and deliver assistance for eligible New Yorkers recovering from the flooding damage caused by Hurricane Ida. Westchester and Bronx counties will receive funding for emergency protective measures, debris removal and repairs to public buildings and infrastructure, as well as direct support for individuals and homeowners. Eligible New Yorkers can receive funds for uninsured or under-insured disaster-caused expenses, such as repair or replacement of personal property or funds for moving and storage, or medical, dental, and child care. The link to apply for FEMA financial assistance can be found here: www.disasterassistance.gov. You will need the following to complete your FEMA claim:
*Note: You must provide an email address if you want to review your registration status online. If you do not provide an email address, you will be required to contact FEMA for any updates to your registration. When preparing to file a claim, please make sure you have photos and videos of property damage including:
If you need assistance filing a FEMA claim, please contact my office at biaggi@nysenate.gov or by calling 718-822-2049. The link to file a claim is www.disasterassistance.gov. ********** In addition to FEMA financial assistance, below are immediate resources for those living in Westchester and Bronx counties. Disaster and Flood Resource Center The DFS Mobile Command Center (MCC) will operate at selected locations in the State of Emergency counties affected by Ida. The MCC is staffed by DFS personnel and can provide residents and business owners impacted by the storm with insurance information regarding policy coverage for losses and suggestions on how to document their losses and safeguard their property. Appointments are not necessary. If you are not able to visit the MCC in person, call the DFS Disaster Hotline at (800) 339-1759, daily, 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m. for help with banking, insurance and claim issues.
Bronx County:
Westchester County:
If you have any questions or need assistance filing a FEMA claim please contact my office at biaggi@nysenate.gov or by calling our office at 718-822-2049. With Gratitude, State Senator Alessandra Biaggi | ||
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SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND URGE FEMA TO STAND READY TO QUICKLY APPROVE DISASTER DECLARATION FOR NEW YORK CITY, LONG ISLAND & HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITIES RAVAGED BY TROPICAL STORM IDA
On September 1st, Remnants of Tropical Storm Ida Deluged New York City, Long Island, and Hudson Valley Regions, Killing New Yorkers, Damaging Homes, Businesses, Subways And Roads With Record-Breaking Rainfall & Dangerous Flooding
Senators Say FEMA Disaster Declaration Would Unlock Federal Funds For Impacted Communities In Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster & Westchester Counties
Senators To FEMA: Mobilize Disaster Assessment Teams & Stand Ready To Approve Any Requested Aid For New York Counties and Residents
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve any request from New York City and State for a major disaster declaration following the severe flooding caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida that rampaged through the New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley regions on September 1st. The senators specifically referenced New York City as being particularly battered by the storm, getting a record 3.15 inches of rain in Central Park over the course of just one hour and over 10 inches of rain falling in various communities.
In the evening on September 1st, Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency in New York State within the counties of Bronx, Dutchess, Kings, Nassau, New York, Orange, Putnam, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester in response to major flooding due to Tropical Depression Ida. Schumer and Gillibrand requested that FEMA actively prepare to issue a disaster declaration for the storm-ravaged New York City, Long Island and Hudson Valley communities, and additionally, to be prepared to participate in a Preliminary Damage Assessment with state and local officials, should the state request it.
If a disaster declaration is declared, grant assistance would be made available to state and local governments, as well as certain non-profit organizations, to reimburse costs incurred for emergency work and the repair or replacement of damaged facilities. This funding is available on a cost-sharing basis; FEMA generally covers 75 percent of the eligible costs for permanent and emergency work. After any severe storm, the first step in the declaration process is for the state to request a Preliminary Damage Assessment, during which FEMA representatives join state, local, and other officials to survey damage across storm-impacted counties to help determine whether the cost of the disaster meets the criteria for a federal disaster declaration. Schumer and Gillibrand urged FEMA to be prepared to support any requests for aid from New York State.
The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act authorizes the president to issue “major disaster” or “emergency” declarations before or after catastrophes occur. The decision to issue a disaster declaration is at the discretion of the president, and must be requested by the governor of the state. These declarations unlock federal aid through FEMA that is broken into two broad areas: Individual Assistance (IA) that aids families and individuals, and Public Assistance (PA) that is mainly for emergency work such as debris removal and permanent repairs to infrastructure. When assessing the degree of PA damage, FEMA considers six factors: estimated cost of the assistance, localized impact, insurance coverage, hazard mitigation, recent disaster, and programs of other federal assistance. Regarding the cost, FEMA has certain thresholds that have to be met to qualify for PA specific to the state and the counties in question.