Union members turned out in force for the event
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 can’t pay rent, clothing food, expenses for $18,000 a year,” the governor said. “You do the math; it does not work. Take the minimum wage from the 1970s, index it to inflation. That’s fair.”
Cuomo 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,” he said. The mayor said 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,” Noble said.
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,” Auerbach 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.”
John McHugh, executive director of the Ar od Ulster-Greene, 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,” Schabot said “We do it, but if you don’t have to do it, why do it? It’s a good direction to head.”
