Big Step in the Fight to Protect NY Heroes

New Yorkers scored a huge victory on April 19th as the New York State Assembly voted to pass the NY HERO Act!

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the state, New York workers are risking their lives every day to keep our communities running. But there are currently no uniform standards for basic protections for workers, and nothing to make sure that employers are protecting their workers. Establishing these standards is critical to protecting all New Yorkers.

The NY HERO Act is an incredibly important piece of legislation that will strengthen worker protections during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond by:

• Creating new safety standards

• Giving workers a stronger voice on the job

• Holding dangerous workplaces accountable

• Protecting small businesses

“We applaud the Assembly for standing up for our essential workers who have been on the frontlines of this dual public health and economic crisis,” said CWA District 1 Vice President Dennis Trainor. “By passing the NY HERO Act, New York is sending a clear message: all workers deserve safe working environments. This legislation is a long overdue step to ensure that all workers are protected on the job, and we call on Governor Cuomo to sign this bill into law.”

We've been fighting for this bill for over a year - CWA members have spoken at rallies, sent emails to and called their legislators, and lobbied hard to make sure that members of the NYS Assembly and Senate pass this bill and protect New York’s heroes.

“We lost John, an X-ray tech, at this time last year to COVID,” said CWA Local 1168’s Sarah Buckley during a press conference to celebrate the bill passing in the Assembly. “He had a dry sense of humor - always took the stairs, hardly ever took time off and loved to take his grandsons to lacrosse matches. Here in Western New York we are experiencing the worst surge in the state. We need this bill still today.”

The bill now goes to Governor Cuomo’s desk to be signed into law.

Hope Gilmore, CWA Local 1102, speaking at a rally for the NY HERO Act in NYC last summer