The NYC Central Labor Council Adopts Resolution Supporting “Protecting America’s Workers Act”The New York City Central Labor Council (NYCCLC) passed a resolution October 18 calling on members of New York City’s Congressional delegation to co-sponsors Protecting America’s Workers Act (HR 2049, S1244). The resolution also calls on the CLC to issue a report on the positions taken on the bill by the members of the delegation in late December. The bill, supported by both the AFL-CIO and Change to Win, would remedy serious flaws in the current OSHA law by extending protections to public employees and increase penalties for employer lawbreakers. Other provisions would require the Department of Labor to investigate all cases of worker deaths or serious injury and require all employers to provide needed protective safety equipment on the job. To date, fifty members of Congress have co-sponsored the legislation including the following representatives from New York State: Timothy Bishop (CD 1), Yvette Clarke (CD 11), Eliot Engel (CD 17); Maurice Hinchey (CD 22), Carolyn McCarthy (CD 14), Carolyn Maloney (CD 14); Michael McNulty (CD 21); Jerrold Nadler (CD 8) and Louis McIntosh Slaughter (CD 28). Both Senators Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer are co-sponsors of the Senate companion bill (S.1244) A similar resolution was passed by the Western New York Area Labor Federation. “Every member of the New York Congressional delegation should be a co-sponsor of this important legislation,” said Bill Henning, NYCOSH chair person. “The endorsement of the New York City Central Labor Council should help in convincing those who have not agreed to sign on to do so.” An action alert posted on the web site of the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union (RWDSU) is also urging support for the bill at http://capwiz.com/rwdsu/issues/alert/?alertid=10115821&type=CO. A “Take Action” feature on the web page lets you send an email or printed (editable) letter to your Congressional representatives urging their support for the bill. 11-02 |