One Fair Wage NY (STATEWIDE) #OFWNY
What it is about?
One Fair Wage Statewide Campaign, Campaign to raise the sub minimum wage for NY Tipped workers to living wage! The tipping system as it stands has unequally impacted communities across N.Y.S. Studies and countless testimonies have proven that minorities, women and girls of color, and immigrants suffer more under the confusing and outdated tipping system that allows for a sub minimum wage on a state and federal level confusing workers who are unaware of the real minimum wage and labor laws exposing them to reckless and heartless employers. SEPA Mujer very own members have been victims of wage and tip theft, sexual assault and harassment, and exploitation all due to not being able to understand and navigate the tipping system. Tips are meant to be an additional income for customers to willingly give. Today customers are forced to pay for employers workers that does not always work well in underserved communities. If NYS becomes a OFW state as 8 other states have we could be looking at steady economic stimulus growth, decrease in sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace and a prosperous boost in economy. Minority workers are demanding across NYS for ONE FAIR WAGE - one minimum wage for all workers regardless of tips. More info: onefairwage.com/ny
What SEPA Mujer did?
SEPA Mujer was asked to lead the Long Island delegation and coordinate the first of seven statewide public hearings called by Governor Andrew Cuomo in order for the NYS Department of Labor to move forward on the policy change. SEPA Mujer also collected more than a dozen testimonies and organized to testify at the public hearing on Long Island. We were also more importantly able to raise awareness on labor abuse in our latino immigrant communities. This led to many more cases SEPA Mujer worked on to find justice for immigrant workers.
What’s going on now and what’s next?
After all seven public hearings were organized and finished throughout NYS all that was left to do is wait for the Department of Labor to review each and every testimony, evidence and reports in order to make a concise decision on OFW. We are currently still waiting for an answer. If you’d like to take action contact the Commissioner of the NYS Department of Labor and let them know minority workers can’t wait any longer! We need one fair wage in NY now!
