Last week, members of UFCW Locals One, 342, 464-A, 888, 2013, 1245, 1262 and 1500 joined members of RWDSU Locals 338 and 1102 for a Lobby Day in Albany. UFCW and RWDSU members spent the day lobbying in support of S-52/ A-261, which addresses fair scheduling and would guarantee at least four hours of pay (at minimum wage) for workers who are required to contact their employer or wait to be contacted less than 24 hours before their shift starts.
UFCW and RWDSU members also spoke out against S-1280/A-6532, a minimum wage reimbursement tax credit, also known as the “Walmart Tax Break,” which would provide companies like Walmart and McDonald’s with a tax credit for hiring young workers at a low wage and cost the state of New York an estimated $43 million.
“We are the voice for the working families,” said Jerome Gomez, who works at Fairway Market on Long Island and is a member of Local 1500. “It’s very important that here in Albany, they hear us and our families. We are here to represent our community and our neighborhoods. The assemblymen and women we saw today, they live in our neighborhoods, they need to know and see us representing our community.”
“It gives you a chance to actually speak to the people who make things happen for your community,” said James Williams, who also works at Fairway Market and is a member of UFCW Local 1500. “I was very pleasantly surprised the way they took to us and they were open to our ideas and agendas. I’ll definitely be back.”