New York: Lots of CWA Legislative Action in Albany

The May 13th Healthcare Rally kicked off two days of action by CWA members in Albany to fight for a variety of priority legislative issues.

Tower Climbers: Two weeks ago CWA helped draft and introduce Requiring Safety Standards and Transparency in Tower Climbing Industry (May S.9179 / Levenberg A.10124), a new piece of legislation aimed at protecting tower climbers—workers who maintain cellular towers, climbing 50 to 200 feet often in dangerous conditions—by demanding better labor standards and subcontractor transparency in the industry. Several tower climbers traveled to Albany to hold a Legislative Briefing with dozens of lawmakers, talking about the danger of their jobs and the need for stronger workplace standards.

Lobby Day: Dozens of other CWA members from Locals throughout the state flooded the Capitol with red, speaking with legislators about the tower climber protection bill as well as ending mandatory overtime for healthcare workers, shortening the waiting time for striking workers to receive Unemployment Insurance to one week, and protecting workers at State-contracted call centers.

Healthcare Briefing: On May 14th, CWA held a Legislative Briefing to talk more with lawmakers about the lack of enforcement of the Clinical Staffing Committees law and the current state of our healthcare system in New York, urging lawmakers to take action and make sure that the law is being followed (and enforced).