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Over one million New York City workers lack paid sick time to care for themselves or their loved ones. For these workers, the choice is stark: work through illness, endangering coworkers and customers, or face losing pay and the possibility of losing your job. Paid sick leave legislation has been enacted from San Francisco to Connecticut, from Seattle to Washington, DC, but, in New York, the Paid Sick Time Act has been stalled. The New York Times has twice endorsed the bill and the Center for Popular Democracy is working hard to organize and move this bill passed its final hurdle.
In partnership with the NY State Paid Family Leave Coalition, CPD has been playing a lead role on campaign strategy, legislative drafting, and faith organizing in support of the bill.
Last Saturday, 37 progressive elected officials from 32 municipalities around the country came together to form Local Progress, a network of progressive municipal electeds dedicated to promoting just, inclusive and equitable cities.
Local Progress is coordinated by the Center for Popular Democracy (CPD) and the Public Leadership Institute and will facilitate the sharing of policy innovations, local legislation, organizing strategies, and communication tools. It will also help progressive advocacy organizations and elected officials collaborate on coordinated, simultaneous campaigns to pass important legislation in cities around the country and elevate issues into the national dialogue.
Legislators spoke optimistically about their vision for the coming decades. “A broad coalition of voters sent a powerful message on election day” said Faith Winter, Mayor Pro Tem of Westminster, CO. “Voters want government that works in the public interest and that treats everyone with the respect and dignity they deserve.”
More information about the policy initiatives discussed at the Local Progress launch is available here, or about the event itself here.
Enthusiastic congratulations also to our core partner, CASA de Maryland, for leading the referendum fight on the Maryland DREAM Act, which was approved overwhelmingly by Maryland voters on November 6th.
The Act, which grants in-state tuition benefits to most immigrant college students, sets a new precedent in the fight for immigrant rights and equality – this is the first time tuition benefits have been approved by popular vote. ¡Sí se pudo!
Warehouse workers within Walmart’s supply chain in New Jersey, Illinois, and California frequently complain of unsafe working conditions, poverty wages and the underpayment of wages. CPD is supporting worker groups in three states to mobilize, by providing legal, organizing and fundraising support.
Support Walmart workers online
At $7.25 per hour, New York’s minimum wage remains decades out of date. With growing numbers of New York State residents relying on low-wage jobs to survive, too many workers do not earn enough to afford basic expenses. CPD is working hard on the campaign to raise the minimum wage to $8.50 per hour.
Sign the petition to increase New York state's minimum wage
CPD congratulates our good friends, the Maine People’s Alliance, for the vital role they played in the success of the Maine marriage equality referendum on election night.
The victory represents the first successful proactive marriage equality ballot measure in the country. It is largely through intensive organizing work of partners such as MPA that the referendum passed. Maine is now the final New England state to pass marriage equality. Great work MPA!
