Category Archives: Workers Issues

Governor Kathy Hochul, Labor and Worker Issues, Labor and Workers, News & Photo Features, Work & Family, Workers Issues, Workers rights

On Labor Day, Governor Hochul Highlights Labor and Workforce Accomplishments to Make NYS More Affordable, Enhance Worker Protections

September 7, 2026 krubin

Major Accomplishments Include Enhanced Worker Protections, Increased Tier 6 Benefits, Improved Workers’ Compensation System, and Expanded Access to Free Community College for Adult Learners

17 State Landmarks To Be Illuminated Red, White and Blue Across New York State in Honor of Labor Day

Protesting for workers’ rights in New York City on May Day, 2026. On Labor Day, Governor Kathy Hochul lists her labor and workforce accomplishments to make NYS more affordable, enhance worker protections © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

On Labor Day, Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted key achievements in New York State’s mission to support and empower its workforce and protect working New Yorkers. Notably, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the Republican challenger for Governor, not only has nothing he can point to on this Labor Day as supporting workers, improving liveability, affordability or fairness, but the trump-mini-me-wannabe has nothing to propose should he in fact win control of New York State. The only workforce he kowtows to are police (already among the highest paid in the country), despite having no objection to trump’s pardon of 1500 January 6^th rioters found guilty of assaulting police, or cutting back millions of dollars in funding for New York’s police, counter-terrorism efforts and community violence prevention programs (the only one who is “defunding the police” is trump) that under Biden contributed to historic drops in crime and violence not only in New York, but across the country. Governor Hochul is standing up to trump to get back that funding, and enact an agenda to improve affordability, liveability, quality of life for working families across New York State. – Karen Rubin, editor@news-photos-features.com

In celebration of Labor Day, Governor Kathy Hochul today highlighted key achievements in New York State’s mission to support and empower its workforce and protect working New Yorkers. Governor Hochul has worked hard to ensure New York State is a safe, affordable place to live, work, and raise a family. This year, she has successfully strengthened worker protections, enhanced Tier 6 retirement benefits, signed legislation to improve the workers’ compensation system, and expanded access to free community college for adult learners in high-growth industries. Additionally, the Governor continues to lead aggressive efforts to combat wage theft and guarantee safe working conditions, delivering on her promise to champion New York’s labor force.

“Since day one, my administration has stood shoulder to shoulder with New York’s workers,” Governor Hochul said. “We have raised the minimum wage, strengthened prevailing wage, cracked down on wage theft, expanded workforce protections, created new pathways to good-paying jobs through workforce training and free community college for adult learners in high-demand fields. This Labor Day, I am proud to celebrate our labor movement as we continue to fight for the people who make New York State stronger, safer and keep us moving forward every day.”

As a steadfast ally of organized labor, Governor Hochul remains deeply committed to supporting New York’s workforce. Building on the historic achievements of previous years, the Governor has advanced key initiatives to support, protect, and train workers across the state, including:

Strengthening Worker Protections

Fighting Wage Theft: Under Governor Hochul, NYSDOL can now issue warrants and seize financial assets to enforce unpaid wage theft orders following a judgment. In 2025, NYSDOL recovered more than $35 million in lost wages and collected $2.2 million in penalties from wage theft-related cases, the highest annual amount recovered since 2015. Since Governor Hochul took office in 2021, NYSDOL has recovered more than $145 million for more than 130,000 workers.

Prevailing Wage: In 2024, NYSDOL established New York State’s new Public Work Contractor and Subcontractor Registry. To date, 14,579 certificates of registration have been issued. Additionally, as of this year, contractors and subcontractors working on prevailing wage projects in New York State are now required to submit certified payroll records electronically. These requirements help ensure that workers are paid appropriate wages for the work they are performing. NYSDOL’s website now offers a demo video, updated FAQs, and more to help encourage compliance with both the registry and payroll submissions.

Worker Safety Laws Anniversary: This year marked the first anniversary of three worker safety laws that went into effect in 2025: the Retail Worker Safety Act, the Fashion Workers Act, and the Warehouse Worker Injury Reduction Program. Over the past year, NYSDOL has undertaken extensive proactive outreach efforts, visiting hundreds of retail locations, and engaging with employers and employees to ensure compliance with these enhanced protections for workers statewide.

The Retail Worker Safety Act requires retail employers with 10 or more workers statewide to implement interactive training programs about workplace violence, including threats of physical violence, abuse, harassment, and intimidation. Businesses covered by this act with 500 or more employees statewide must provide employees with access to a silent response button by January 1, 2027.

The Fashion Workers Act ensures transparency and fair treatment for models and other fashion workers by requiring model management companies and model management groups to comply with additional duties and responsibilities, as well as register with NYSDOL. Since the law was enacted, 79 companies have registered.

The Warehouse Injury Reduction Program requires employers covered by the previously enacted Warehouse Worker Protection Act to establish and implement an injury reduction program to identify and reduce the risk of work-related injuries.

Improving Wages and Benefits

Narrowing the Gender Wage Gap: Under Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State has taken nation-leading steps to close the gender wage gap and create a more equitable labor market, including raising the minimum wage, mandating paid prenatal leave, and this year, prioritizing universal child care for all children under five years old. New York State now has the smallest gender wage gap in the nation—91.4 cents per dollar in 2024, compared to 87.3 cents per dollar in 2023. For more information, visit NYSDOL’s annual Gender Wage Gap Report.

Expanding the Healthy Terminals Act: In January, the expanded Healthy Terminals Act took effect, extending the Act’s wage rates and health and leave benefits to part-time workers at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International and LaGuardia airports. The expanded law includes an exemption for small employers with 10 or fewer employees.

Working Families Hub: This year, NYSDOL launched its Services for Working Families hub, a user-friendly, online site to help families navigate available services for varying stages of life and work. The webpage centralizes resources on New York State policies and benefits, including helpful links to various New York State agency services concerning paid leave and benefits, child care resources, and resources for youth entering the workforce.

Workers’ Compensation Enhancements: Governor Hochul’s FY 2027 Budget made changes to workers’ compensation to fight fraud and improve access to medical care. Beginning in 2027, the Workers’ Compensation Board will administer a new grant-funded program allowing District Attorney offices to dedicate additional resources for prosecuting workers’ compensation fraud. Additionally, starting January 2028, all eligible licensed providers in good standing will be able to treat New York’s injured workers, significantly increasing injured workers’ access to health care.

Tier 6 Reforms: This year’s budget also included reforms to Tier 6, including:

Lower retirement ages for educators;

Reduced contribution rates and increased overtime caps for state and local workers, including members of the police and fire departments outside of New York City; and

Reduced employee contribution rates for UUP and PSC-CUNY members in the Optional Retirement Plan.

Expanding Opportunities for Employment and Training

1. National Apprenticeship Week: New York State is a national leader in providing pathways to successin exciting new careers. Governor Hochul is committed to supporting proven workforce development initiatives, like registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship programs.

Registered apprenticeships have expanded to high-demand industries, including health care, information technology, finance, childcare, education, transportation, and advanced manufacturing.

As of June 30, 2026, NYSDOL supported almost 18,000 apprentices, more than 600 sponsors, more than 900 programs, and granted more than 1,300 certificates for program completion so far this year.

2. Providing Free Community College for Adult Learners in High-Demand Fields: Governor Hochul’s FY 2026 Budget established free community college for adult learners through the SUNY and CUNY Reconnect program. Community colleges at SUNY and CUNY cover tuition, fees, books, and supplies for adult students ages 25 to 55 with no degree who are pursuing associate degrees in high-demand fields like advanced manufacturing, technology, nursing and education. In this year’s budget, the Governor has expanded the list of high-demand fields to include logistics, air traffic control, and to students with prior degrees pursuing a nursing degree. The program is also expanding to Associate Programs at eight SUNY College and at three CUNY Colleges in addition to Community Colleges statewide. More than 12,000 New Yorkers have already enrolled in the program.

3. Modernizing and Digitizing Working Papers: Last year, Governor Hochul signed legislation to modernize the youth employment certification process. Under the Governor’s direction, NYSDOL is working hard to create a convenient one-stop online portal that simplifies the process for young workers, their parents and guardians, school districts, and businesses employing minors. The new system is set to launch next year.

4. Implementing several initiatives to strengthen New York’s public workforce. Among those are:

Under Governor Hochul’s administration, the state launched the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide (NY HELPS) Program, which temporarily waives state civil service exam requirements for many job vacancies. More than 64,000 appointments have been made to state and local government as part of the NY HELPS program.

The Department of Civil Service is opening new Computer-Based Testing Centers in regions around the state. Additionally, the state created 10 Centers for Careers in Government, offering jobseekers guidance on civil service systems and career opportunities.

The Department of Civil Service is developing a new applicant management system for hiring for jobs available to the public, which will bolster and accelerate hiring practices toward matching the most qualified candidates with open positions quickly and equitably.

Civil Service ran successful multi-media campaigns over the past two years promoting the wide-ranging career opportunities available in New York State public service, as well as partnered with New York’s first Chief Disability Officer to deliver a campaign that highlighted opportunities for New Yorkers with disabilities.

The state updated qualifications for approximately 800 entry- and promotion-level civil service titles to allow for consideration of equivalent experience as an alternative to college degrees when evaluating jobseekers.

Governor Kathy Hochul also announced that 17 landmarks across New York State will be illuminated red, white, and blue in honor of Labor Day. The landmarks to be lit in recognition of Labor Day include:

One World Trade Center
Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
Kosciuszko Bridge
The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
State Education Building
Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
Empire State Plaza
State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center
Niagara Falls
The “Franklin D. Roosevelt” Mid-Hudson Bridge
Grand Central Terminal – Pershing Square Viaduct
Albany International Airport Gateway
Lake Placid Olympic Center
MTA LIRR – East End Gateway at Penn Station
Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
Moynihan Train Hall
Roosevelt Island Lighthouse

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “Today, we celebrate the heart and soul of our state—New York’s dedicated workforce. As the Commissioner of Labor, I am incredibly proud of the strides we have made under Governor Hochul’s leadership to ensure New York State is a safe, affordable place to live, work, and raise a family. Labor Day is a powerful reminder of the important role collective action has played in securing rights for workers, and the New York State Department of Labor will continue to fight for safe workplaces and fair pay.”

“Since she took office, Governor Hochul’s support of the public workforce has been clear and steadfast. Under her leadership, the Department of Civil Service is reducing barriers to entry and promotion for public-service jobseekers and state employees alike,” Department of Civil Service Commissioner and Civil Service Commission President Timothy R. Hogues said. “Through NY HELPS, which temporarily waives exams for many government jobs available to the public, to opening new Computer-Based Testing Centers, which boosts access and opportunities for our dedicated state employees who seek career advancement, Governor Hochul understands that a strong public workforce helps New York families on a daily basis and makes the Empire State a great place to live and work.”

New York State Workers’ Compensation Board Chair Freida D. Foster said, “Labor Day is a reminder that every worker deserves not only recognition for what they contribute, but the assurance that they will be supported when they are injured or unable to work. As we celebrate all those in the workforce, we thank Governor Hochul for the important changes she’s helped bring about to improve the New York State workers’ compensation system for the benefit of workers and employers alike. Thanks especially, to her “game-changing” Universal Authorization legislation, workers who are injured or become ill on the job will have far more options when it comes to finding a doctor to give them timely treatment and our new anti-fraud program will go a long way in make the workers’ compensation system more fair and more affordable for everyone.”

Economic Development, Governor Kathy Hochul, Jobs, Labor and Worker Issues, Labor and Workers, Manufacturing, New York State politics, News & Photo Features, Workers Issues

NYS Launches Semiconductor Manufacturing Workforce Training Tax Credit

July 29, 2026 krubin

Program Will Help Connect Workers to Opportunities in America’s Fastest Growing Semiconductor Ecosystem

New York Leading the Way in Addressing the National Skilled Worker Challenge, Moving To Prevent Projected Shortfalls Threatening the U.S. Chip Factory Revival

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of the Semiconductor Manufacturing Workforce Training Incentive Program, designed to connect workforce training programs to careers in the state’s rapidly growing semiconductor industry sector. The new program, administered by Empire State Development, supports eligible semiconductor manufacturers and manufacturing businesses by offsetting the costs of training employees for high-demand manufacturing careers, helping companies build the skilled workforce needed to support continued industry growth across New York State.

“New York is making historic investments to become the nation’s premier destination for semiconductor manufacturing, and that means investing in people just as much as projects,” Governor Hochul said. “This new workforce training tax credit will help manufacturers develop the highly skilled workforce they need while creating new opportunities for New Yorkers to build careers in one of the world’s fastest-growing industries.”

The program supports employer-led training that addresses specific business needs, enhances employee skills, improves productivity and creates opportunities for career advancement. Eligible training may be provided directly by employers, third-party providers or New York State Registered Apprenticeship Programs. Tax credits can cover up to 75 percent of eligible training costs, including employee wages during training, curriculum development, instructor costs and qualifying wraparound services, up to $25,000 per employee receiving eligible training. Eligible semiconductor manufacturing businesses may receive up to $5 million in credits over the life of the program, while other eligible manufacturing businesses may receive up to $1 million.

To qualify, businesses must operate in New York State as eligible semiconductor manufacturing or manufacturing businesses, submit an approved workforce training plan before training begins, and demonstrate compliance with worker protection and environmental requirements. Applications are now being accepted through ESD. Additional program information, eligibility requirements and application materials are available here.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “A strong semiconductor ecosystem depends on a strong workforce. By helping employers invest in training, New York is ensuring businesses have access to the talent they need while creating pathways to high-quality manufacturing careers for New Yorkers. This program complements our broader strategy to grow the semiconductor industry and reinforce New York’s position as a global leader in advanced manufacturing.”

The new program demonstrates New York’s semiconductor leadership by directly addressing the national shortage of skilled workers threatening the resurgence of domestic chip manufacturing. Recent industry reports are forecasting a nationwide deficit of up to 157,000 skilled full-time semiconductor manufacturing workers by 2030. By providing state support to offset training costs and facilitate new hires, New York is answering the urgent call for industry and government to pool resources, ensuring that the industry has the workers it needs while empowering New Yorkers with accessible career opportunities in a fast-growing industry.

This also builds on Governor Hochul’s comprehensive strategy to grow New York’s semiconductor industry. To ensure New Yorkers are prepared for the thousands of high-paying jobs created by these investments, Governor Hochul is leading an ambitious statewide workforce development strategy. This effort is anchored by the $200 million ON-RAMP initiative, which is establishing four advanced manufacturing workforce centers across Upstate New York. This includes the flagship ON-RAMP facility on the Southside of Syracuse, a hub designed to provide critical skills training and wraparound services — such as childcare and transportation — to create accessible career pathways.

Governor Hochul celebrated a major milestone at Micron’s $100 billion semiconductor manufacturing campus in Central New York as workers poured the first concrete foundations. This major milestone was achieved less than six months after breaking ground and marks a pivotal turning point from site preparation to full vertical construction.

Semiconductors power everything from smartphones to satellites, and the sector is poised to generate revenues of $1 trillion globally by the end of the decade. The industry also brings an outsized economic impact for workers and families — 60 percent of semiconductor manufacturing jobs don’t require a four-year degree and pay more than 25 percent more than other advanced manufacturing sectors on average. With more than $126 billion in new investments announced since 2022, New York State is home to the nation’s fastest growing semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. By the end of the decade, one in four U.S.-made chips will be produced within 350 miles of Upstate New York — more than any other region in the nation.

Affordability, Governor Kathy Hochul, Infrastructure, NYS Governor Kathy Hochul, travel and transportation, Workers Issues

Governor Hochul Announces End to LIRR Strike

May 19, 2026 krubin

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a resolution to the Long Island Railroad strike that ensures 3,500 workers are paid fairly, without compromising affordability for Long Islanders by causing fares or taxes to rise. © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Governor Hochul: “I also would not accept a deal that would compromise affordability for Long Islanders. At a time when everything is going up, we all know the story, I was not going to allow taxes or fares to go up. And that’s why we stood firm for a deal that would not require any additional fare increases or tax increases, period. Full stop. Got it done.”

Hochul: “Now, this contract will ensure that 3,500 Long Island Rail Road employees will be paid fairly for their labor. I want them to know this, I deeply value and respect the hard work they do. They’re out there every single day making sure the job gets done. Their work is critical for the entire region, and they deserve a fair wage.”

Late Monday night, after the first full work day with the Long Island Railroad, the busiest commuter railroad in the country, on strike, Governor Kathy Hochul announced a resolution ending the strike: Here are her comments:

Good evening, everyone. I’m truly pleased to share that the five Long Island Rail Road unions and the MTA were able to come together and reach a fair deal this evening.

Now, negotiations are rarely easy, but I have a lot of respect for the collective bargaining process that unfolded over the last few days. And I always believed that we could reach a good, fair compromise, a contract that achieved two principles: Number one, protecting affordability for Long Islanders and commuters while giving fair wages to the employees. And by working and negotiating together, we have reached that kind of deal.

Now, this contract will ensure that 3,500 Long Island Rail Road employees will be paid fairly for their labor. I want them to know this, I deeply value and respect the hard work they do. They’re out there every single day making sure the job gets done. Their work is critical for the entire region, and they deserve a fair wage.

I also would not accept a deal that would compromise affordability for Long Islanders. At a time when everything is going up, we all know the story, I was not going to allow taxes or fares to go up. And that’s why we stood firm for a deal that would not require any additional fare increases or tax increases, period. Full stop. Got it done.

Now, the Long Island Rail Road service will resume tomorrow at noon, with the full service time, expected in time for the evening rush hour, and yes, in time for the Knicks game. Knicks fans will be able to take the trains to MSG tomorrow in time for game one of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Finally, I want to thank so many people. I want to thank New Yorkers, Long Islanders particularly, who made all the accommodations, who had to work from home, who sacrificed, who had to put up with inconveniences. We are so grateful for their patience and understanding. And for those who helped us weather the storm over the last few days, to their employers who made the accommodations, helped get this done, the elected officials who helped get the word out.

I also want to say, the MTA negotiating team, led by Janno Lieber, did an exceptional job. I want to thank every single one of them. And also the preparations that I came down to see over many days, going to the command centers and talking to the people that were deciding how many shuttle buses, how many trains, how many workers need to be out there greeting people. The job was done like a military operation, and I was very impressed with that, Janno, so I want to thank you and your entire team for anticipating the worst and preparing all of our commuters for a better experience than they would have had otherwise.

I also want to thank our labor leaders, who fought hard for a fair deal, and I respect them for that. They’re looking out for their members. Also, Mario Cilento, the state leader of the AFL-CIO, played an integral role in this process as well. I want to thank, finally, the extra people who showed up every single day to make sure this ran smoothly. We got the deal done. It is a very good night for everyone, and I’m really proud of the work that was accomplished by an extraordinary team and our partners in labor. Thank you.

Affordability, Governor Kathy Hochul, Labor and Worker Issues, News & Photo Features, NYS Governor Kathy Hochul, travel and transportation, Workers Issues

Long Island Rail Road Strike!

May 18, 2026 krubin

By Karen Rubin, editor@news-photos-features.com, news-photos-features.com

For the first time in 30 years, the Long Island Rail Road, the biggest commuter rail system in the nation, is on strike, causing havoc across the region, as some 300,000 daily riders have to find alternate ways to get to work.

At a time when the air quality is already bad, the increased traffic and emissions will make it worse.

People who normally have to drive for work, to get to doctor, or some emergency are stuck in traffic, at a time when gas prices are reaching new heights, compounding family financial woes.

You look at the vacant cafes and shops around the train station that are normally bustling with people.

The timing is interesting, aimed at hurting Governor Kathy Hochul who is being challenged by Republican Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County Executive.

*The Long Island Rail Road strike is exacerbating traffic congestion on the Long Island Expressway, even with the HOV lane jammed © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

The NICE buses which are under Blakeman’s control, take only 13,000 people from Long Island train stations, depositing them at subway stations in Queens.

A commute that normally takes 40 minutes can take 2 hours.

The timing of the strike – the first in 30 years – is interesting, especially since the MTA put very favorable terms on the table, and the LIRR workers are already the highest paid in the nation.

I would bet Trump is behind the Long Island Railroad strike in order to boost Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who is the Republican challenging Governor Kathy Hochul and thinks the strike makes Governor Hochul look bad and the pain it will cause the 300,000 daily LIRR riders will result in lots of angry votes against her, because of course you blame the Democrat – except it actually makes Blakeman look impotent.

It also makes it clear that like his idol, Donald Trump, Blakeman is willing to inflict misery and suffering on his constituents in order to benefit himself. The Teamsters, who have supported trump for the unfathomable notion that trump is for workers and for unions (when he has sold workers and unions under the bus at every turn) and that waving the trump flag makes them more patriotic and better Americans than others (radical liberal lunatics who want to be able to afford food, clothing and shelter) are doing this to bolster Blakeman.

Here’s how you know that Blakeman is enjoying seeing Hochul and Long Islanders squirm: he could offer to help organize NICE buses to relieve some of the stress, but instead, uses the opportunity to try to get Hochul to cancel congestion pricing tolls (which he sued to overturn), to be told by Hochul that it is not possible under the federal contract. Instead, the pro-Blakeman NICE unions are urging bus drivers to support the LIRR strikers and not change their schedules to help. (Where were the unions defending the federal workers as they were fired by DOGE?)

*The Long Island Rail Road strike is exacerbating traffic congestion when drivers are already slammed by high gas prices © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com*

But Governor Hochul, while showing respect for unions and workers, has noted that Long Island Railroad workers are already the highest paid in the country, and if the MTA accedes to their fairly outrageous demands, it not only will force a further increase in fares for already hard-pressed Long Islanders, but will trigger similar, unsustainable increases throughout the workforce.

Lining up for the NICE bus from Great Neck train station to Flushing subway: NICE buses can only take 13,000 passengers, versus the 300,000 who ride the Long Island Railroad © Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

“The LIRR is more stable now than it has been for generations,” Governor Kathy Hochul stated. “The decision by some unions to strike over demands that would threaten that progress is reckless. These unions represent the highest paid workers of any railroad in the nation, yet they are demanding contracts that could raise fares as much as 8%, pit workers against one another, and risk tax hikes for Long Islanders. This is unacceptable. My priority is protecting affordability for riders and ensuring fairness across the workforce.

“The disruption that Long Islanders face starting tonight is the direct result of reckless actions by the Trump Administration to cut mediation short and push these negotiations toward a strike. For weeks, the MTA has attempted to negotiate in good faith and put multiple fair offers on the table that included meaningful wage increases, but you cannot make a deal if one side refuses to engage in good faith.

“Commuters are dealing with unnecessary dysfunction and thousands of union LIRR workers are being forced to go without a paycheck because of decisions made by a small group of union leaders. I stand with LIRR riders and will fight to preserve the long term stability of the MTA. I believe a deal can be done and I urge both the MTA and these unions to return to the table and bargain non-stop until a deal is reached.”

See: Governor Hochul Manages, Mitigates Impacts of LIRR Strike, Calls for Settlement

______________________________

© 2026 News & Photo Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles,Inc. All rights reserved. For editorial feature and photo information, go to www.news-photos-features.com,email editor@news-photos-features.com.Blogging at www.dailykos.com/blogs/NewsPhotosFeatures

Democrats 2020, Donald Trump, Economic Development, Economic Policies, Economy, Election 2020, Infrastructure, Jobs, Joe Biden, News & Photo Features, Presidential Campaign 2020, Presidential Politics, Workers Issues

On Labor Day, Biden Presents Plan to ‘Build Back Better’ for American Workers

September 7, 2020 krubin

On Labor Day, Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic candidate for President, issued his plan to “Build Back Better” for American workers, drawing a contrast to the actual record of Donald Trump and contradicting Trump’s claim of a rebounding economy. Biden points to fewer than half of the 29 million jobs lost to the coronavirus pandemic have been restored (though Trump likes to boast about 1 million jobs added a month as a record and proof of a robust, rebounding economy), with 11.5 million still unemployed and facing the possibility their jobs will not come back. Manufacturing jobs, which Trump touts, is down 720,000 from when Trump took office. “President Trump may well be the only president in modern history to leave office with fewer jobs than when he took office. Trump thinks if the stock market is up, his rich friends and donors are doing well and corporation see their valuations rising, then everyone must be doing well… Joe knows we need to get serious about defeating the pandemic, dig out from the worst jobs crisis in nearly a century, and rebuild the middle class so everyone comes along.” Biden’s plan is to invest in infrastructure, clean energy, caregiving and education, and will support – not break up – unions, collective bargaining, higher wages and worker safety. Here is a fact sheet from the Biden campaign – Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Joe Biden’s Plan to “Build Back Better” for American Workers

After six months in the pandemic, we are less than halfway back to where we were — with 11.5 Million Americans not yet getting their jobs back. We’re still down 720,000 manufacturing jobs. President Trump may well be the only president in modern history to leave office with fewer jobs than when he took office.

Trump thinks if the stock market is up, his rich friends and donors are doing well, and corporations see their valuations rising — then everyone must be doing well. But Joe knows from growing up in neighborhoods in Scranton, Pennsylvania and Claymont, Delaware that the measure of our economic success is the quality of life of the American people. Today, too many working families are worried about paying their bills and putting food on the table.

Joe knows we need to get serious about defeating the pandemic, dig out from the worst jobs crisis in nearly a century, and rebuild the middle class so everyone comes along. He has a plan to Build Back Better by summoning a new wave of worker power and building an economy that serves the dignity of the hard-working people who make it run. He will put millions of Americans to work in good-paying jobs with a choice to join a union to meet four national challenges: building a stronger industrial and innovation base so the future is made in America, building sustainable infrastructure and a clean energy future, building a stronger caring economy, and advancing racial equity across the board.

Build worker power, raise wages, and secure stronger benefits. We’ve seen millions of American workers put their lives and health on the line to keep our country going. Joe will treat American workers and working families as essential at all times, not just times of crisis — with higher wages, stronger benefits, and fair and safe workplaces, so they can live a middle class life and provide opportunity for their kids. And, he will strengthen unions and worker power.

Encourage, not only defend, union organizing and collective bargaining. Joe knows the only way to take on abuses of power by corporations and Wall Street, and to restore America’s middle class, is with worker power. Joe will send economic recovery legislation to Congress that will make it easier for workers to organize a union and bargain collectively with their employers by including the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, card check, union and bargaining rights for public service workers, and a broad definition of “employee” and tough enforcement to end the misclassification of workers as independent contractors. Joe will also hold company executives personally liable when they interfere with organizing efforts.

Raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour and end the tipped minimum wage and sub-minimum wage for people with disabilities.

Ensure that every American has access to quality, affordable health care, by providing a public option and lowering costs for care and for prescription drugs.

Provide universal paid sick days and 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave.

Pass the Paycheck Fairness Act as the next step in efforts to ensure women are paid equally for equal work, and take other steps to address discrimination and harassment in the workplace.

Ensure workers are safe from COVID-19 and other workplace hazards by setting and enforcing robust safety standards. No one should get sick, injured, or die because they went to work.

Ensure the future is “Made in America” by all of America’s workers. Joe will create millions of jobs mobilizing the talent, grit, and innovation of the American people and the full power of the federal government to bolster American industrial strength and ensure the future is “Made in All of America.”

Buy American. Joe will strengthen and enforce “Buy American” so that the massive amount of taxpayer money the federal government spends every year on everything from defense equipment to steel to auto fleets is used to help American manufacturers and their workers. And he’ll invest $400 billion more in buying American made goods to build a clean energy future.

Innovate in America. Joe will make a new $300 billion investment in research and development (R&D) and breakthrough technologies – from electric vehicle technology to lightweight materials to 5G – to unleash high-quality job creation in manufacturing and technology.

Pursue a Pro-American worker tax and trade strategy to fix the harmful policies of the Trump Administration and give our manufacturers and workers the fair shot they need.

Bring back critical supply chains to America so we aren’t dependent on China or any other country for the production of critical goods in a crisis.

Build a modern, sustainable infrastructure and an equitable clean energy future. Joe will make a $2 trillion accelerated investment setting us on an irreversible course to meet the ambitious climate progress that science demands, putting millions of people to work in good paying jobs:

Rebuilding America’s crumbling infrastructure – from roads and bridges to green spaces and water systems to electricity grids and universal broadband – to lay a foundation for sustainable growth, withstand the impacts of climate change, and provide access to clean air and water.

Position the American auto industry to win the 21st century, mobilizing American workers to manufacture clean vehicles and their input materials and parts.

Generating clean, American-made electricity, creating jobs for every kind of worker from scientists to construction workers to electricity generation workers to welders to engineers.

Retrofitting buildings, weatherizing homes, and building affordable housing.

Create jobs in climate-smart agriculture, resilience, and conservation, including by mobilizing the next generation of conservation and resilience workers through a Civilian Climate Corps and creating jobs to clean up local economies from the impacts of resource extraction.

Mobilize American talent and heart to create a 21st century caregiving and education workforce. The pandemic has laid bare just how hard it is for people in this country to find access to quality caregiving they need for themselves, or to juggle the responsibilities of working and also caring for family members. Joe will make substantial investments in the infrastructure of care in our country. He’ll:

Create millions of caregiving jobs by making preschool universal and high quality child care affordable and accessible for working families, and making it easier for aging relatives and loved ones with disabilities to have quality, affordable home- or community-based care

Treat caregivers and early childhood educators with respect and dignity, and give them the pay and benefits they deserve, training and career ladders to higher-paying jobs, the choice to join a union and bargain collectively, and other fundamental work-related rights and protections.

Free up millions of unpaid caregivers to pursue paid careers if they so choose.

Advance racial equity across the American economy. Joe will ensure Black and Brown small business owners, families, and workers are finally and fully cut in on the deal. His plan for achieving racial equity across the American economy covers everything from infrastructure to housing to education, and targets the racial wealth, jobs, and income gaps.

Read Joe’s full plan to Build Back Better at joebiden.com/build-back-better

How Trump Has Failed American Workers

As workers struggle against a deadly pandemic, painful recession, and deep racial disparities — all worsened by Trump’s mismanagement and neglect — they also face an additional burden: a union-busting president. When he isn’t calling to boycott Goodyear and its thousands of union workers for petty personal reasons, President Trump is actively fighting against working people. Among many other things, Trump has:

Mismanaged the pandemic, triggering an almost unprecedented economic crisis. Unemployment has doubled since February and more than half of families have lost employment income.

Promised to veto the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO Act) – legislation that would make it easier for workers to unionize and collectively bargain – and stripped federal workers of their right to unionize.

Provided big tax cuts to corporations, without making them bring jobs home – and raised taxes for union members, by ending deductions for union dues.

Threatened to veto a $15 minimum wage, and has questioned whether there even needs to be a federal minimum wage.

Abandoned the Obama-Biden overtime expansion, costing over 8 million workers over $3.4 billion in lost wages already.

Let federal contractors double offshoring in his first 18 months in office.

Started a trade war with China that pushed manufacturing into recession – and then wasted his so-called “phase one” deal lobbying for big banks, instead of fighting for American jobs.

Broke his promise to invest in rebuilding infrastructure. Donald Trump promised a big infrastructure bill when he ran in 2016 and every year since. Every few weeks when he needs a distraction from the latest charge of corruption in his staff — or the conviction of high ranking members of his administration and political apparatus — the White House announces it’s “Infrastructure Week.” But he’s never delivered or even really tried.

Proposed steep cuts for job training and employment programs, including those that support U.S. manufacturing and workers dislocated by outsourcing. Trump also tried to undermine union registered apprenticeships.

Rolled back safety protections at workplaces, including by trying to weaken several occupational and safety regulations established during the Obama-Biden Administration, reducing Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) investigators to a historic low, and failing to put in place OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards to keep workers safe from COVID-19.

Weakened enforcement of American labor laws and made it easier for employers to misclassify workers by sabotaging the enforcement agencies and slashing their investigator corps.

Revoked requirements that employers follow labor and employment laws to benefit from federal contracts.

Appointed National Labor Relations Board members with long histories of anti-union activities.