Members of labor organizations joined the Governor’s rally in
Kingston
KINGSTON – New York Governor Andrew Cuomo rolled into Midtown Kingston
Wednesday, during his statewide tour calling for $15 minimum wage and
paid family leave. The campaign, featuring strong labor union support,
was named after Cuomo’s father and former Governor, the late Mario
Cuomo.
Cuomo said the current state minimum wage of $9 per hour, or $18,000 per
year, leaves many New Yorkers struggling in poverty, forcing them to seek
benefits to make ends meet. “You do the math; it does not work,”
Cuomo maintained. “Take the minimum wage from the 1970s, index it
to inflation. That’s fair,” he said.
The governor also indicated that low wages equate to corporate subsidies
— $700 million per year in benefits for McDonalds and Burger King workers
alone.
The speech, accompanied by a large rally of union members, met with widespread
approval. Ulster County Executive Michael Hein said the American Dream,
in part, guarantees that “a hard day’s work is met with a
reasonable pay.”
Kingston mayor Steve Noble agreed. “It is time for income equality.
In today’s economy there are too many people who are being financially
left behind. They’re still struggling. The fact that they’re
making minimum wage keeps them trapped in a cycle of poverty.”
Ulster County Comptroller Elliot Auerbach said family leave is “key,
I appreciate where the Governor’s coming from.” He said a
$15 per hour wage is feasible. “It’s a great starting point.
I think it’s phased in, and creates a dialogue, we can look at each
industry and each area,” he said.
“It’s fantastic that the Governor has come up here,”
said Ulster County Legislature Minority Leader Hector Rodriguez. “I
also want to make sure that we have a real commitment for a $15 minimum
wage, all across the state, downstate and upstate. I hope that’s
his message to the Assembly and the Senate,” he said.
John McHugh, executive director of Ulster-Greene ARC, said they support
the proposal. “Our message to Governor Cuomo, as a not-for-profit,
is we just need to get it funded. He’s given his 100 percent support
to that, so we’re behind him.”
Kingston Alderman Steven Schabot identified with the working poor. “People
struggle, two and three jobs, I’ve been there in my life, where
I’ve had a couple of jobs. I think we‘ve all had to do that;
it’s not a good way to live. We do it, but if you don’t have
to do it, why do it? It’s a good direction to head,” he said.
For more info, visit: https://www.ny.gov/programs/mario-cuomo-campaign-economic-justice
