Essential Workers News

Work

Delivery Workers Cheer $23.82 Proposed Minimum Pay Standards, But Not Everyone’s Happy

Nov. 21, 2022, 1:28 p.m.April 3, 2025, 1:19 p.m.

Workers who get around on mopeds are pushing for a $5 increase to cover expenses like gas and insurance.

Bicycles

Where and Why E-Bikes Catch Fire in NYC — And What Can Be Done About It

Nov. 21, 2022, 5:00 a.m.April 3, 2025, 1:20 p.m.

Most of the battery-related fires take place in working-class residential neighborhoods in Queens, Brooklyn and The Bronx.

Unions

Luxury Building Doormen Authorize Strike as Bargaining Negotiations Stall

April 13, 2022, 7:03 p.m.April 13, 2022, 7:25 p.m.

More than 30,000 luxury building workers and doormen authorized a strike on Wednesday if they do not reach a deal on a collective bargaining agreement that expires April 20.

Taxis

Taxi Drivers Savor Victory as Medallion Debt Bailout Deal Ends Hunger Strike

Nov. 3, 2021, 9:27 p.m.Oct. 12, 2023, 8:00 a.m.

Cabbies danced outside of City Hall, chanting “No more suicides,” after the de Blasio istration agreed to restructure the crushing debt that’s devastated many taxi medallion owners. Some went hungry for over two weeks during the protest.

Taxis

Scenes From Cabbies’ Hunger Strike as Drivers Plead for Relief From Massive Medallion Debt

Oct. 21, 2021, 9:40 p.m.May 30, 2024, 1:18 p.m.

For over a month, cab drivers have occupied a sidewalk outside City Hall, chanting, “Mayor lies, drivers die.” Now they’ve taken their campaign to a new level, by launching a hunger strike. Here are some of their stories.

Deliveristas

Food Delivery Workers Toiling Through Historic Flooding Call Skimpy Wages and Tips ‘A Cruel Joke’

Sept. 2, 2021, 9:40 p.m.Oct. 15, 2023, 4:21 p.m.

Even as the city shut down amid record rainfall, e-bike couriers kept picking up food for paltry pay — including $5 for an hour-long journey from Astoria to Brooklyn. Los Deliveristas Unidos renewed their demands for better treatment.

Work

More Than 1.6 Million New Yorkers Will Lose Unemployment Benefits by Labor Day

Aug. 31, 2021, 9:25 p.m.Aug. 31, 2021, 9:25 p.m.

On Sept. 5, several federally funded programs that had expanded unemployment benefits during the pandemic will expire. Are you affected? Here’s some information you’ll need to know.

Vaccinations

New Governor Kathy Hochul to New Yorkers: You Can Trust Me

Aug. 24, 2021, 7:44 p.m.March 14, 2024, 2:24 p.m.

In her first day in office, the state’s 57th governor moves to rebuild trust damaged by secrecy and sexual harassment under Andrew Cuomo. On her agenda: cleaning up Albany, speeding up rent and worker aid — and vaccine mandates.

Work

Weren’t Eligible for Unemployment Benefits? Apply for the Excluded Workers Fund

Aug. 5, 2021, 8:35 p.m.Aug. 5, 2021, 8:35 p.m.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and lawmakers in Albany created the historic $2.1 billion fund to assist undocumented and nontraditional workers. Here’s what you need to do to apply.

Racism

Queens Senator Calls for Blood Lab Probe After Discrimination Claims Revealed

July 12, 2021, 7:46 p.m.July 12, 2021, 7:46 p.m.

Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky sent letters Monday to Attorney General Letitia James and State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli requesting a thorough review of BioReference Laboratories’ contracts and employment practices following THE CITY’s report.

Essential Workers

Delivery Workers Cheer $23.82 Proposed Minimum Pay Standards, But Not Everyone’s Happy

Where and Why E-Bikes Catch Fire in NYC — And What Can Be Done About It

Luxury Building Doormen Authorize Strike as Bargaining Negotiations Stall

Taxi Drivers Savor Victory as Medallion Debt Bailout Deal Ends Hunger Strike

Scenes From Cabbies’ Hunger Strike as Drivers Plead for Relief From Massive Medallion Debt

Food Delivery Workers Toiling Through Historic Flooding Call Skimpy Wages and Tips ‘A Cruel Joke’

More Than 1.6 Million New Yorkers Will Lose Unemployment Benefits by Labor Day

New Governor Kathy Hochul to New Yorkers: You Can Trust Me

Weren’t Eligible for Unemployment Benefits? Apply for the Excluded Workers Fund

Queens Senator Calls for Blood Lab Probe After Discrimination Claims Revealed

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