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A Moral and Economic Argument for an Increase in the Minimum Wage

2012-05-03T11:41:00.000-07:00

By Charlene Obernauer

In this economy, it’s hard to find a job. It’s even harder to find a good job that pays enough to pay the bills. While Long Island has many opportunities for employment, it also has one of the highest costs of living in the entire country. Ask any of the 140,000 Long Islanders who are currently earning the minimum wage. How do they pay rent or feed the kids or pay for child care while making the same $7.25 an hour that workers in Mississippi earn?

Right now, just in Nassau County, the cost of living index is 47.5 points higher than the average in the United States. And yet not a single NYS Senator on Long Island has come out in support of a minimum wage increase.

But many New Yorkers—78%—support the needs of low-income workers. Like the Archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who came out with a statement today in support of a minimum wage increase, stating that full time workers earning minimum wage are often, “on the brink of homelessness, with not enough in their paychecks to pay for the most basic of necessities, like food, medicine or clothing for their children.”

Studies have shown that the New York State Assembly bill, which increases the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour and includes future increases related to inflation, will help boost the economy by getting workers to spend an additional $3,200 per household per year. Trust me, this economy needs all the boosts it can get.

Will the moral call from Catholic and other religious leaders to support working New Yorkers be heard loudly enough to get some Long Island Senators to break the ranks of the Republican leaders and stand up in support of workers? Will the economic benefit analysis help more centrist legislators understand the importance of such a bill to the local economy?

I hope so, but in the meantime, we must continue to pressure our NYS Senators.

* Long Island Jobs with Justice will be holding an action on May 24^th at 5pm on Main Street in Babylon. *

Increasing Support for NYS DREAM Act

2012-04-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

By Anita Halasz, Organizer, LI Jobs with Justice

Since Governor Cuomo’s failure to include funding for the New York State DREAM Act in the 2013 state budget, undocumented students and their allies have upped the ante and shifted their campaign strategy to pressuring local Senators and Assemblymen to vote YES on the NYS DREAM Act before the end of the legislative session in June.

Currently, the Senate and Assembly NYS DREAM Act bills are under committee review and revision; the Senate Bill (S4179) is in the Rules Committee and the Assembly Bill (A6829) is in the Committee on Governmental Operations. As it stands today, the NYS DREAM Act would provide undocumented students who graduated from a New York high school, or received a GED equivalent, equal access to state funded financial aid through the Tuition Assistance Program.

Despite Governor Cuomo’s continued non-position on the NYS DREAM Act, which some believe is influenced by his intent to run in the 2016 presidential elections, support from other prominent individuals and institutions has not faltered. CUNY Chancellor Matthew Goldstein spoke on behalf of CUNY in support of providing undocumented students who graduated from New York high schools access to the state’s Tuition Assistance Program; The New York State Board of Regents voted to extend state financial aid to undocumented students; Council Speaker Christine Quinn petitioned alongside NYS DREAM Act activists urging Governor Cuomo to include DREAM legislation in is 2013 budget; Mayor Michael Bloomberg has repeatedly voiced his support; the SUNY Board of Trustees passed a resolution in support of equitable financial and educational access to higher education for all New Yorkers, including its undocumented immigrants; Former Regents chancellor and former chairman of the SUNY Board of Trustees, Carl Hayden urged New York lawmakers to pass the NYS DREAM Act; and many more New York State legislators and university officials.

Currently, Long Island DREAM advocates are finding themselves in a difficult, but exciting, moment. Moving Long Island’s 9 Republican Senators is not an easy feat, but activists refuse to be pacified. Senator Lee Zeldin, representing high immigrant and minority populated towns like Brentwood and Central Islip, has publicly denounced the NYS DREAM Act, stating that he does not support “expanding eligibility for college scholarships to undocumented immigrants at the expense of immigrants who are lawfully in our country.” Although the NYS DREAM Act will require state funding, an additional $17 million in TAP money[1], it will not take away opportunities from other students qualifying for financial aid – TAP is need-based financial assistance.

To date, none of the Long Island Senators have supported the NYS DREAM Act. We need you call and/or write your senator today, and every day, between now and June to ensure that the NYS DREAM Act is given the legislative attention and support it needs.

[1] http://www.fiscalpolicy.org/FPI-CostBenefitAnalysis-NYS-DREAM-Act-20120309.pdf

Support a Minimum Wage Increase in New York State!

2012-04-13T13:28:00.002-07:00

Recent analysis found that in order to afford a two bedroom apartment in New York State while making the minimum wage, one would have to work 136 hours per week, 52 weeks a year. While this is, of course, impossible, many Long Island workers struggle to get by on $7.25 an hour.

Long Island Jobs with Justice is proud to join labor and community groups all across New York State in calling for an increase in the New York State Minimum Wage, from $7.25 to $8.50, with future increases tied to inflation.

Why support a minimum wage increase?

- Because 78% of New Yorkers support increasing the minimum wage

- Because increasing the minimum wage boosts the economy and $1.00 in wage increase for a minimum wage worker results in over $3,200 in new consumer spending by his or her household over the following year.[1]

- Increasing wages reduces costly employee turnover and increases productivity. When the minimum wage goes up, employers can enjoy these benefits of paying higher wages without being placed at a competitive disadvantage, since all companies in their field are required to do the same.

Many states are beginning to understand the benefit of increasing the minimum wage during an economic downturn, and it’s time that New York did the same!

Call your local Senator TODAY and tell him that you support increasing the minimum wage! For this bill to pass, we need to move one of Long Island’s 9 Republican Senators. While “Senator 1%” Majority Leader Dean Skelos refuses to support a bill that supports working families, has massive public support, and makes economic sense; some Senators understand the importance of a wage increase.

In fact, in 2004, both Senators Marcellino and Johnson enthusiastically supported an increase in the minimum wage. So what about today? In one of the worst economic downturns in our nation’s history, will your Senator vote to support an economy-boosting, working family-supporting bill?

Call today! [link to: http://www.nysenate.gov/]

If you support the minimum wage and want to support Long Island Jobs with Justice’s advocacy on the issue, make a donation today! [link to: http://www.li-jwj.org/p/donate.html]

[1] According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

Announcing Student/Youth Leadership Training

2012-04-12T10:11:00.000-07:00

Student/Youth Leadership Training:How to Manage Your Workflow and Become a Better Organizer

Do you want to learn practical skills that will help you take part in grassroots organizing on your campus? Do you struggle with managing your workflow as a full-time student, part-time worker, and volunteer organizer? Do you often struggle with getting group members to be accountable to rest of your group? Join us in this comprehensive training where we will provide trainees with practical skills that will help you become a better organizer.

Saturday, April 28th 9am-6pm
1505 Kellum Place Mineola, New York 11501

Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW Office'

(Training space accessible by LIRR)

NICE BUS, $7.3 million in the red, already threatening service cuts

2012-02-16T20:49:00.002-08:00

NICE BUS, $7.3 million in the red, already threatening service cuts

By Benjamin Kabak

When Veolia took over operations of Long Island Bus from the MTA, the company never made explicit promises to maintain service levels or the fare structure. Now, just a few months into their tenure, the company has announced proposed service cuts totaling $7.2 million set for April. “A budget shortfall makes service changes necessary, although the changes are significantly less than those proposed by the MTA last year, involve no route cancellations, and are designed to impact the fewest possible passengers,” the company said in a statement.

Clearly, Veolia is a bit touchy about these service cuts. In the statement, they claim that they have realized $35 million in operating efficiencies and that the cuts are only a portion of the $26 million in eliminations proposed by the MTA. Of course, that MTA proposal was designed as a ploy to call Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano’s bluff. The MTA simply wanted Nassau County to be upholding its end of the funding agreement.

So how is Veolia planning on these “reductions and reconfigurations”? They offered up this take: “Our proposed system re-design is the result of a very careful analysis of how riders use the system. We rode every route and every stop, seven days a week, recording actual passenger usage and travel patterns. After a rigorous analysis, we focused on making the smartest changes that would impact the fewest passengers. Naturally, we focused on the routes that are least used by customers and are thus the most expensive to operate.”

Essentially, then, Veolia is doing what the MTA threatened to do. Since Mangano cut county contributions to the bus system from $9 to $2.5 million, NICE BUS is essentially placing that funding cut on the backs of its riders. Perhaps the are operating at greater efficiencies than the MTA. Perhaps the MTA was bluffing about a $26 million cut to force Mangano’s hand. Either way, Long Islanders are no better off now as their county leadership continues to withdraw funding for transit.

Students and Workers Call for Customers to Break Up With Verizon this Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T11:39:00.001-08:00

Yesterday evening, nearly 100 workers and allies protested to tell Smithhaven Mall customers to break up with Verizon Wireless. Check out UCOMM Radio's video on the action here.

The company continues its assault on middle-class jobs despite billions in profits and hundreds of millions paid out in executive compensation. It wants to force workers to pay thousands of dollars more for health care, and has slashed the level of benefits.

It is time for Verizon to stop breaking hearts and do the right thing by negotiating a fair contract!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Celebrating the Anniversary of Bread and Roses Strike

2012-01-23T14:45:00.002-08:00

Film Screening

BREAD AND ROSES

Wednesday, February 8^th, 2012

6:00-9:00pm

Huntington Cinema Arts Centre (423 Park Avenue, Huntington)

Admission Fee: $20

Panel Discussion and Reception to Follow Screening

RSVP to Anita Halasz

at 631-348-1170 ext. 310

or email lijwj01@gmail.com

**Sponsorships Available**

Bread and Roses is an inspirational film that follows the story of a young female service worker, who sought to organize her workforce in Los Angeles, California. The film highlights the organizing efforts of SEIU’s “justice for janitors” campaign and takes the viewer through the emotional journey of a lively organizing campaign.

* Bread and Roses Film Screening is sponsored by the Long Island Occupational and Environmental Health Center.

LI Bus Riders' Union to Hold First Meeting

2011-12-14T11:38:00.001-08:00

Are you a Bus Rider?

Join the Long Island Bus Riders’ Union!

Nassau County elected officials just voted to privatize Long Island Bus, signing a contract with Veolia Transportation.

Bus riders should not be left to worry that they will be stranded without bus service. We should not have to worry about fare increases and service cuts. We should not have to choose between food and a bus pass, or be forced to drop out of school because no buses will take us there.

Our demands for the County are exemplified by our Riders’ Bill of Rights, which include:

1. No service cuts and fare hikes for at least 5 years.

2. Free transfers between county buses and New York City subways and buses, as exists today.

3. Safe and efficient service for all riders, provided by highly trained and qualified union employees.

4. Equipment that is clean, modern, and in a state of good repair.

5. Transparent and responsive administration of service, which includes giving riders and the broader public a way to provide input into how county transit is run.

Tuesday, January 17^th at 6pm

First LI Bus Riders’ Union Meeting.

100 Duffy Avenue in Hicksville, 3^rd floor*

*1199 SEIU Building, next to Hicksville Train Station

(N20, N48/N49, N50, N73/N74, N78/N79, N80/N81, N94)

Long Island Jobs with Justice Announces the Formation of an LI Bus Riders' Union

2011-12-12T19:05:00.001-08:00

Over the past several years, we have seen bus riders get “rolled over” by Nassau County elected officials. Recent developments in our campaign work suggest that the one private bidder, Veolia Transportation, slated to take over Nassau County’s bus service is in a financial crisis in Europe and is pulling out of the transportation business. The future for Nassau County’s bus riders remains uncertain.

Bus riders should not be left to worry that they will be stranded without bus service on January 1^st. They should not have to worry about fare increases and service cuts. They should not have to choose between food and a bus pass. However, our country continues to prioritize corporations and the wealthy 1% over the needs of working people. We are creating a Bus Riders’ Union in Nassau County to both fight back against service cuts and fare increases; and to advocate for a better transportation system that provides a higher quality of service for working people.

The Long Island Bus Riders Union will be a project initiated and staffed by Long Island Jobs with Justice. We will mobilize hundreds of riders to fight against service cuts and fare hikes; and to advocate for transportation rights; ensuring that the voices of riders themselves are heard over those of private corporations and the politicians who indiscriminately support them.

Today, the Nassau County Legislature is slated to vote on the privatization of Long Island Bus.We have issued several reports critiquing Veolia and the move towards privatization; we have mobilized hundreds of community members, drivers, and riders to oppose the contract. But the unified voices of hundreds of Nassau County voters may not be enough to move a stubborn legislature to vote against a catastrophic decision for the County's taxpayers.

We are creating a Bus Riders' Union as a way to fight back against service cuts and fare increases, and to envision a new future for Nassau County that involves affordable, reliable public transportation for everyone.

As we move forward with creating the LI Bus Riders' Union, we ask for your financial support to jump start the project. We are looking to raise $5,000 in the next two weeks to mobilize bus riders before January 1st. Please make a donation online here and help us fight for transportation equity in Nassau County. Donors of $500 or more will be publicly listed as "supporters" on our website.

Veolia Backing Out of Transportation System... And Into Nassau County?

2011-12-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

by Charlene Obernauer

On Monday, December 5^th, nearly 250 bus riders, bus drivers, community members, and transportation advocates gathered together to collectively oppose efforts by Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano to privatize the bus system. Executive Director Charlene Obernauer made reference to a recently published report by LI Jobs with Justice, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, and the LI Federation of Labor; critiquing Veolia’s record in the U.S. and abroad; and urging legislators to not give Veolia the keys to its transportation system.

The public understands that Veolia has a bad history in several cities where it operates: fares increase and service gets cut. It's that simple.

After the public gave passionate testimony, Veolia finally answered questions from legislators (not from the public). Veolia representatives told Nassau County elected officials that their record was flawless and that reports to the contrary were incorrect; they contradicted Comptroller Maragos’ report that suggested that numerous bus lines would be cut in 2012; and they denied that their company was negatively impacted by the fiscal crisis in Europe.

However, the next morning, policy analysts awoke to interesting news about Veolia: the company is in financial crisis and is backing out of the transportation business. Are we really still considering Veolia as a viable option for Nassau County?!

While Veolia’s representatives still claim that they are capable of taking over the service, elected officials are skeptical.

County Executive Ed Mangano, the force initially behind the privatization, stated that the news requires Veolia's immediate response and attention. Well, I think we could use a little bit more than their attention. A graceful exit from our County seems slightly more appropriate.

“NICE” Bus Deal for Veolia, Bad for Nassau County

2011-11-30T11:32:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, the Nassau Legislature's Rules Committee voted 4-3 in approval of the contract instating private company, Veolia Transportation, as Nassau County's bus operating system. In yet another move to squash and silence community and labor concerns regarding the future of Long Island Bus, a final legislative hearing, previously scheduled for December 19th, has been unexpectedly rescheduled for December 5th at 1pm. While the hearing begins at 1pm, we expect to be there until around 7 or 8pm. Please prepare to come for a part or all of the hearing. Bring signs, friends, family--now is the time to make your voices heard!

PUBLIC HEARING

The Privatization of Long Island Bus

Monday, December 5^th 2011

Begins at 1PM

Speakers are on a first come first serve basis.

Registration starts at 10:30AM

Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building

1550 Franklin Avenue, Mineola NY 11501

Public Hearing will address concerns about:

Veolia’s management and operation of a county fixed route for transit and paratransit bus system
The power of the County Executive to execute contracts for management, operations and maintenance of the county bus system

To get to the Nassau County Legislative Building:

Take Exit M1W (Old Country Road) from the Meadowbrook Parkway. Follow Old Country Road West and make a left on Franklin Avenue. The Legislative Building is on the right and parking is available around the building.

OCCUPY BLACK FRIDAY

2011-11-25T14:53:00.001-08:00

OCCUPY LONG ISLAND

OCCUPY BLACK FRIDAY

Friday, November 25, 2011

12:00 noon - 2:00 pm

Smith Haven Mall

Middle Country Road (Route 25)

Lake Grove

Join this Occupy Wall Street solidarity demonstration on Black Friday, at the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove. Long Island Jobs with Justice will be there standing in solidarity with Verizon and Verizon Wireless workers.

We will gather peacefully on the long sidewalk, on Middle Country Road. Bring your signs, your chants, your enthusiasm, and your call for economic justice.

We are also asking people to call any (or all) of the Verizon stores listed below on Black Friday and ask to speak to the store manager. Sample scripts for Verizon customers and non-customers can be found below.

Have a safe and happy holiday,

Anita

TARGET STORES

Bayshore (South Shore Mall)

(631) 968-5432

Black Friday Hours: 7am – 10pm

East Northport

(631) 499-1820

Black Friday Hours: 10am – 9pm

Massapequa
(516) 797-3880

Black Friday Hours: 10am – 9:30pm

Patchogue
(631) 475-0183

Black Friday Hours: 10am – 9pm

Smith Haven

(631) 382-3720

Black Friday Hours: 9am – 9:30pm

NON-CUSTOMER CALL SCRIPT

Hello,

My name is _____________ and I am calling to express my concern about the contract negotiations between Verizon management and CWA and IBEW employees. The dedication of Verizon employees has contributed greatly to the company’s success and it is time for Verizon to return this wealth to their workers, rather than attacking them. I urge Verizon executives to do the right thing by engaging in fair and just contract negotiations that protect employee wages and benefits.

Thank you.

VERIZON CUSTOMERS

Hello,

My name is _____________ and I am calling to express my concern about the contract negotiations between Verizon management and CWA and IBEW employees. As a Verizon customer, I am outraged and embarrassed by Verizon’s attack on workers’ wages and benefits. The dedication of Verizon employees has contributed greatly to the company’s success and it is time for Verizon to return this wealth to their workers, rather than attacking them. I urge Verizon executives to do the right thing by engaging in fair and just contract negotiations that protect the livelihood of their employees.

Fare Hikes, Service Cuts Galore

2011-09-21T11:27:00.001-07:00

by Charlene Obernauer

As Nassau County hastily moves forward with their privatization scheme for Long Island Bus, those of us who care about the future of working people on Long Island are worried, if not appalled.

On a recently unveiled official website for LI Bus, Veolia—the Paris-based multi-national corporation that will be taking over from the MTA—states that riders may find that routes are readjusted and schedules may be changed in order to maximize performance and eliminate inefficiency.

Regarding fares, the corporation boldly states, “the future cost structure of operating this large bus system will continue to change, so it’s possible that modest service redesigns and fare increases will be recommended.”

Wait a second. Veolia plans to increase fares AND cut service? According to their website, they very likely will do just that!

So, what are we going to do to try and stop this privatization disaster?

On Monday, October 28^th at 11:00am, the Nassau Legislature will have a hearing on Nassau County Executive Mangano’s proposed 2012 Budget, which only allocates $2.5 million in 2012 for funding for NC’s bus system. Hearing will be held at 1550 Franklin Avenue in Mineola at the Theodore Roosevelt Building.

Please, bring your friends, bring your family, your co-workers, even your boss—because if Nassau County moves forward with this privatization plan, it’s going to effect all of Long Island.

In the meantime, help us blast decision-makers with this online petition; www.tstc.org/billofrights. For a hard copy to distribute in your congregation, local community center, or favorite bagel place; email me.

Jobs with Justice Fall Update

2011-09-09T09:08:00.000-07:00

The Summer has been a busy one for us at Long Island Jobs with Justice. We wrapped up the season with the close of a two week Verizon Strike, a People's Hearing for Long Island Bus, and a Congressional Hearing on Medicare and Medicaid with Congressmen Tim Bishop and Steve Israel.

What's next?

- Daily leafletting at Verizon stores to pressure the company to negotiate a fair contract

- Fair Food Festival on Farmworker Justice on Saturday, September 24th

- October 11th Film Screening of Papers, on the struggle of undocumented students

- Launch of Fall We Are All Immigrants Trainings for People of Faith

Help Us Support Verizon Workers!

2011-08-19T09:37:00.000-07:00

Jobs with Justice is coordinating Strike Support across Long Island in solidarity with Verizon Workers.

Join us on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10am-6pm outside of Verizon Stores as we picket to show our support for working people.

* Stores are located outside of the Smithhaven Mall (1 Smithhaven Mall, Lake Grove), and at 335 N. Broadway in Hicksville.

We're signing supporters up for 4 hour shifts, so if you can make it out, let us know!

One local pastor, Ron Garner of the Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church, has been supporting strikers by showing up to the picket line, and raising funds for their children's back to school supplies. Read his account below:

Since the Verizon strike began 10 days ago I have been inundated with emails asking me to support the Verizon workers. Actually, I walked the picket line on the second day of the strike and have continued to offer my support as the days have continued. Like so many things in our current over politicized climate, I was very aware that my actions could merely be seen as an 'old lefty' that had found another battle to fight.

Although I wouldn't deny my political leanings, I haven't offered support based on those leanings (well it isn't the primary factor). To put it simply, I have walked the picket line, provided money to help buy back-to-school supplies for the children of striking workers, and offered help with food and finances if the strike continues because I am a follower of Jesus. Not an exemplary follower, mind you, but one who firmly believes that although Jesus called his followers to be people of peace and reconciliation, he also immersed himself in the idea of 'social justice' -no matter what Glenn Beck and my right-wing Christian brothers and sisters say to the contrary.

I find it amazing that the management of Verizon would decry the 'Cadillac' health insurance policies of their workers when they earn salaries 300 times greater than those who actually do the real work. Give me a $55,000 salary per day, as Verizon's CEO makes, and I won't worry either. By using the argument that even though billions of dollar of profits roll in each year the 'line' service is losing money is simply saying that instead of long range planning that supports workers, Verizon management would rather make the employees suffer now than begin to address the issues that would return this portion of the business to profit or re-tool for the future. My union member father would have said that is just laziness! In other words, profits over people!

Back to Jesus for just a moment. Let's say that Verizon does have a health care plan that puts them in the upper 1% of workers in the United States when only health care insurance is considered. I have no way of knowing if that is true since I don't necessarily believe everything I read. Then supporting workers so that they don't continue a race to the bottom is all the more important. Offering sufficient health care insurance to workers isn't 'Cadillac' insurance at all. It is Christian. Until we become enlightened enough to offer universal health care to everyone then it is my duty, as a person of faith, to stand with those who struggle to maintain a dignified life. Jesus came to offer life to the full. That is why I'll continue to walk the picket line. Who is that man in the red shirt just in front of me? I think it is Jesus. So I guess I'm in the right place.

Verizon Strike!

2011-08-11T09:40:00.000-07:00

As many of you have probably heard, some 45,000 workers at Verizon have entered their fifth day on strike.

Verizon earned 6.9 Billion in net income for the first six months of this year, and their top 5 Executives pulled in ¼ Billion Dollars last year. Verizon’s executive compensation is sky-high, and Chairman Ivan Seidenberg is paid 300 times what an average worker earns. He’s pulling in $55,000 a day.

Verizon, like many greedy corporations, has taken advantage of the economic downturn to roll back wages, benefits, and job security that has taken workers decades to win. We see this not only as a fight with Verizon, but as symbolic of the attack on the middle class as a whole. We stand united with our union sisters and brothers and we will not let Verizon act like Wisconsin’s demagogues at the expense of working families.

If we cut workers’ wages, the Recession is only going to get worse, not better. We need to invest in our workers who are here in the United States so that they, in turn, invest in the U.S. economy.

Support Verizon Workers by:

1) Joining our Strike Support Committee by contacting Charlene at Charlene.obernauer@gmail.com
2) Coming out in support of the Communication Workers of America on Friday, August 12^th, 2011 at 501 North Ocean Avenue, Patchogue, NY at 2:00pm.

Suffolk County Health Center Crisis

2011-07-18T09:07:00.000-07:00

We at LI Jobs with Justice (LI-JwJ) have been informing you of the crisis facing Suffolk County's health centers which serve 75,000 uninsured patients a year (mostly working-poor people.) New York State has unfairly charged the centers with having provided "unauthorized" services such as care for adult chronic illnesses and is demanding $19.5 million this year in "clawback" funds for these services going back to 2008.  With other funding cuts contained in the 2011 State budget, Suffolk's 10 health centers could lose $22.5 million in funding this year which will have a devastating effect on their services, creating what has been described as a "Suffolk health crisis." (The impact of these cuts is summarized in the bulletin insert pasted below.)

Right now, negotiations between County and State health officials to resolve the "clawback" are stalled. We believe that Suffolk's State senators (Senators Lavalle, Flanagan, Zeldin, Johnson and Marcellino) have the political clout to call upon New York State Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah urging him to reach agreement with Suffolk County to:
1.    Reduce the amount of the $19.5 million State “clawback”;

2.    Spread the “clawback” over a number of years instead of requiring that it be repaid in 2011.

LI-JwJ is asking that Suffolk congregations publish this insert in your bulletin or newsletter the weekend of July 22- 24, calling on members to contact their State senator urging him to intervene in this crisis. With the permission of your congregation's leadership, you might also want to collect letters to your senator, after services on the weekend of July 29-31. Use the insert as a sample letter.

Contact Your State Senator Today:

Tell Him to Intervene to Prevent a “Health Crisis” in Suffolk County

Suffolk County has no public hospital to serve working-poor people who do not have health insurance. Suffolk does have a network of 10 excellent health centers that serve uninsured people – all of them threatened by massive State budget cuts that will exceed $22 million in 2011. Most of these cuts come from the State wanting to unfairly and improperly “clawback” $19.5 from Suffolk for what they claim were “unauthorized” treatments the centers provided going back to 2008, including care for adult chronic illnesses like asthma or early intervention services for children under the age of 3.

Here is some of the damage these funding cuts will do to Suffolk health centers:

A 40% cut in funding for the remainder of this year. Experts say that anything more than a 10% cut to each health center is “untenable.”
Restrictions on basic health services such as primary and pre-natal care.
The loss of 100,000 patient visits each year.
Millions of dollars in expensive Emergency Room care for the patients turned away since an ER visit costs about $900 compared to an average $200 health center visit.
The loss of evening hours and severe reductions in center hours of operation.
The layoff of 200 doctors, nurses and other health-center staff.

Right now, negotiations between Suffolk County and State health officials have stalled. But, your State senator has the clout to move these talks so we save Suffolk health centers.

Ask your Senator today to speak with New York State Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah urging him to reach agreement with Suffolk County to:

Reduce the amount of the $19.5 million State “clawback”;
Spread the “clawback” over a number of years instead of requiring that it be repaid in 2011.

Service Will Suffer Under Veolia

2011-07-07T10:07:00.000-07:00

By Charlene Obernauer

While Newsday’s recent editorial “Time to Drive a Smart Bargain” voices legitimate concerns about Veolia Transportation’s unwillingness to release a comprehensive 5 year service plan, the article incorrectly portrays Veolia as an honest, reputable company, which it is not. In fact, Veolia is known all around the world for its poor levels of service and low-wage drivers.

o In Pheonix, Veolia arrived late 50,000 times in just three months and was threatened with fines of over $3.3 million dollars.

o In Wales, UK, Veolia was fined 33,000 Euros for arriving late to bus stops, and subsequently cut the routes from 396 to 277 vehicles.

o In York, Canada, bus drivers are given no sick days, a huge safety risk for bus the entire community. The employees are the lowest paid transit workers in the Greater Toronto Area, and the fares are the highest in the entire country.

Simply, Veolia cuts costs by providing bad service. They undermine union contracts, hire part-time workers with no sick days, and replace hundreds of trained bus drivers to hire poorly trained substitutes.

HUNT FOR A JOBS PLAN IN ISLIP

2011-06-21T11:52:00.000-07:00

HUNT FOR A JOBS PLAN IN ISLIP

Press conference calls for better use of public subsidies

Islip, NY—Community, faith, and labor leaders gathered outside of the Cintas plant in Central Islip to protest the use of New York taxpayer dollars to subsidize poverty wage employers and out of state workers. Cintas receives tax breaks from the Islip Industrial Development Agency, but they are not creating good jobs or broader community benefits. Activists held a press conference detailing Cintas’ workers’ rights and environmental violations, and calling on state leaders to create a good jobs plan that improves upon current economic development outcomes.

This event was one of several coordinated actions happening throughout the state highlighting wasteful development projects and the need for an economic development plan that creates good jobs for Long Island.

The events were organized as “hunts for the missing jobs plan” because with the state legislative session days away from ending, Governor Cuomo and the Legislature have failed to put the issue of jobs on the state agenda. While the administration has proposed Regional Economic Development Councils as their new flagship jobs program, the councils have yet to be created and few details have emerged about their future mission and operation.

“Cintas was found discharging twice the legal limit of lead from its Central Islip plant and has intimidated and fired workers who tried to unionize the plant to improve their harsh working conditions,” said Charlene Obernauer, Executive Director of Long Island Jobs with Justice. “Taxpayers should not be subsidizing low-road employers like Cintas that show such disregard for Long Island’s workers and environment.”

Community members spoke out against Cintas’ tax subsidies, based on their bad reputation nationally and locally.

“I serve the needs of struggling families in Brentwood, many of whom are immigrant workers,” said Derborah Kirnon, Director of St. Anne’s Parish Outreach in Brentwood. “It’s well known in Central Islip and Brentwood that Cintas abuses workers and does not serve the community,”

The Coalition highlighted the failure of the government’s economic development subsidies and called on Cuomo to ensure accountability, transparency, and performance standards in his new Councils, so that taxpayer money is being used to create good jobs for New Yorkers.

"We need to stop bribing corporations with free grants of money without definite accountability for producing tangible benefits for the local community and guaranteed jobs for local workers,” said David Sprintzen of the Long Island Progressive Coalition.

Referring to a recent report by ALIGN entitled Seizing the Moment, the Coalition emphasized that while Cintas is an example of an Industrial Development Agency failure, Regional Economic Development Councils have the potential to be a positive force in local communities and for all of New York State.

“In short,” Obernauer concluded, “We need our state leaders to work to transform economic development in New York.”

Hunt for the Missing Jobs Plan

2011-06-08T08:39:00.000-07:00

As the clock ticks down on the legislative session, New Yorkers are still struggling: poverty has increased, we continue to have the greatest income inequality of any state, and unemployment remains stubbornly high. At the same time, we continue to spend $8.2 billion in economic development subsidies that too often do little to create good local jobs or other tangible benefits for the communities they are supposed to benefit.

Yet, the issue of jobs isn’t even on the state agenda! Gov. Cuomo and economic development leaders have yet to release any concrete details on Regional Economic Development Councils—the Governor’s main initiative for job creation, which by most assessments will come to control all economic development programs including IDAs. There is worrisome talk that the Councils will continue the state’s business-controlled, failed approach to economic development by concentrating on lowering business costs and further deregulating our economy. We in labor and community know that doesn’t work.

These next two weeks, as session ends and the Regional Councils roll out, we will be hard at work putting our vision for a true jobs plan forward. We will call on Gov. Cuomo and legislative leaders to make Regional Councils turned the page on the failed approaches of the past. We will demand a stop to corporate giveaways and call for a refocused job creation program that delivers good jobs with good wages for local residents, accountability, and transparency.

As labor and community allies, WE ASK YOU TO JOIN US ON THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

1) Hunt for the Missing Jobs Plan. Tues. June 14, Albany West Capitol Park, 12pm. Where are the “Jobs Jobs Jobs” politicians have been talking so much about? We certainly haven’t seen one! Join allies from across the state in this fun skit and press conference. We will also be releasing a white paper outlining recommendations for the Regional Councils and delivering them all together to our legislative leaders. Of course: the bigger the crowd, the bigger the impact. An action not to miss! PLEASE EMAIL ME IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING.

2) Statewide Day of Action. Tues. June 21, Locations around the state. Press Conference outside of The Cintas Corporation, at 11:00am, 500 South Research Dr. in Central Islip. Cintas -- a national uniform-laundering company -- received over$800,000 in IDA tax breaks from Lancaster (western NY) and Islip towns between 2002 and 2008. Despite this IDA subsidy, Cintas was found discharging twice the legal limit of lead from its Central Islip plant. And Cintas is a low-wage employer paying as little as $8.50 an hour to its employees-- many of them immigrants -- to work under harsh conditions. Cintas has been convicted of illegally withholding workers' wages, and has been charged with unsafe working conditions and with anti-union activities. The Cintas plant in Central Islip has actively resisted the formation of a union by intimating and firing workers who tried to unionize the plant. Join us as we highlight the wasteful spending of this IDA Project and call for Accountability, Transparency, and Performance Standards as Governor Cuomo moves forward with his plan for Regional Economic Development Councils.

3) Have your organization sign onto our coalition’s Open Letter to New York State’s Leadership from Community and Labor Supporting Economic Development that Gets New York Back to Work. We had a great response to the letter when we sent it to Gov. Cuomo and leaders in early May. We continue to collect organizational signatures (we have over 90 now!) and regularly update them on our website.

4) Sign the petition demanding for a better GOOD JOBS AGENDA! http://afl.salsalabs.com/o/4023/c/118/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=2206&track=lijwj

As Regional Councils start rolling out, it is important that political leaders hear the voices of labor and community loud and clear: Taxpayers deserve accountability and transparency, and New Yorkers deserve job creation programs that actually create jobs – good jobs!

Long Island Jobs with Justice and Village of Freeport Withdraw Money From Chase in Protest

2011-06-04T10:46:00.000-07:00

AISHA AL-MUSLIM, NEWSDAY

2 JUNE 2011

The Village of Freeport, the Hempstead Village Housing Authority and Long Island Jobs with Justice closed their Chase accounts Thursday, joining with Hempstead Village, which earlier closed its accounts to protest the bank's mortgage-modification practices. "They have got to come clean," said Freeport village Mayor Andrew Hardwick, who said the village has about 200 foreclosed homes. "They have got to do the right thing."

Activist groups and village officials say Chase is failing to modify mortgages for African-American and Hispanic residents, letting them go to foreclosure instead.

Hardwick, Freeport Trustee Carmen J. Piaeyro and other officials, along with members of the New York Communities for Change rallied outside of Freeport Village Hall to make the announcement Thursday.

Freeport closed its Chase bank account, even after meeting Thursday morning with bank representatives, Hardwick said. He would not say how much the village pulled out, but said Freeport handles "millions." Freeport recently borrowed more than $5 million from Chase, a bank spokesman said. That loan account remains open. And the village is looking at banking with five other institutions.

The Hempstead Village Housing Authority closed its nearly $70,000 account. Charlene Obernauer, executive director of Long Island Jobs with Justice, would not say how much it withdrew.

The action is part of a campaign by New York Communities for Change to get municipalities to close their accounts with Chase, based in Manhattan.

"They have got to come clean," said Freeport village Mayor Andrew Hardwick, who
said the village has about 200 foreclosed homes. "They have got to do
the right thing."

Jobs with Justice Releases Report on the "Dangerous" Privatization of Nassau County Bus

2011-05-13T10:08:00.000-07:00

Jobs with Justice Releases Report on the “Dangerous” Privatization of Nassau County Bus

Jobs with Justice released a scathing report this week on the three private companies bidding for the bus contract in Nassau County. The report claims that with abuses that range from service fines and interruptions, disregard for local laws, and abuse of disabled riders; none of the private operators are fit to adequately service Nassau County.

Veolia Tranportation First Transit, and MV Transportation are the three private companies that have submitted requests for proposals, but none of the companies are capable of serving Long Island with adequate, reliable, and safe bus service.

Veolia has been fined over $3.3 million dollars by the city of Pheonix, Arizona, for having late, broken, and unkempt buses; and after taking over Metrolink service in Chatworth, California, was responsible for the deadliest crash in Metrolink’s history. In Houston, Texas, First Transit had an accident rate that was 87% higher than when the City publicly operated the system. Not to mention in Washington D.C., where MV Transportation’s bus takeover resulted in a 172% increase in accidents.

The report also challenges Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano’s creation of a “secret” committee to decide the future of bus operations in Nassau County.

“I am appalled not only by the secrecy of the privatization process, but by Nassau County’s refusal to hold a public hearing before deciding how to spend the taxpayer’s money,” says Charlene Obernauer, Executive Director of Long Island Jobs with Justice and author of the Report.

Jobs with Justice, along with many other advocacy groups, believes that Nassau County would be best serviced by an accountable and transparent public bus system. There is no profit in transportation.

To view the Report online, click here.

2011-05-04T08:02:00.000-07:00

Privatization Will Hurt Long Island Bus

We are at a critical moment in Nassau County history. Recently, the MTA voted to cut the contract with Nassau County, allowing County Executive Mangano to move forward with his plan of privatization. Mangano's "secret committee" is reviewing the three private contractors and will make a recommendation to the County Executive by May 15th.

We're calling on you now because the MTA is out of the picture and we need to mobilize as many riders and community members as possible to attend a Nassau County Legislative meeting on May 16th, 2011 at 9:30 a.m, 1550 Franklin Ave in Mineola.

But what do we really know about the companies, and what do we know about the privatization?

Private Companies:

1) Veolia is a French-based company with over $50 Billion annual earnings. The company has been fined over 1 million dollars for arriving late to bus stops; when a bus shows up 10 minutes late, the company pays a $40 fine. If Mangano decides to go with this company, riders will surely suffer with unreliable service that is unaccountable to the community. Veolia is also vocally anti-union and is known for paying lower wages than almost any other company.

2) First Transit has become notorious on a national level for mistreating its workers and forcing strikes. First Transit blames their unwillingness to negotiate a fair contract on the current economic crisis, which is outrageous, because in times of crisis, workers get hurt the most—not the management of big for-profit corporations. In Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, First Transit was paying workers $9.00 a hour or $18,700 yearly, well below the poverty line.

3) MV Transit has had trouble profiting off of their transit system in many cities, and has fought unions to cut wages (like in the city of Santa Clarita, California), and even to cut all of their workers to part-time.

The truth is that there is no profit in public transportation, and if County Executive Mangano thinks that he is going to pay only $4 million in service and still have a fair system, he is mistaken. It costs over 7 million just to put fuel in the buses!

What kind of service do we want?

SAME LEVELS OF SERVICE AND FARES FOR RIDERS:

Nassau County’s bus service must maintain current fares and levels of service and ideally the system should be expanded to better meet demand.

FREE TRANSFERS:

Bus riders can currently transfer for free to NYC subways and buses, promoting regional connectivity to jobs. This benefit must be maintained.

SAFE AND EFFICIENT SERVICE:

Nassau County’s buses must be driven by highly trained and qualified employees. Horrific, preventable, accidents like the recent bus crashes on I-95 and the New Jersey Turnpike show the dangers of unskilled bus drivers. Drivers must be paid a family-sustaining wage equivalent to that under their contract with the MTA.

EQUIPMENT THAT IS CLEAN, MODERN AND IN A STATE OF GOOD REPAIR:

Skipping maintenance and regular cleaning today means bigger bills tomorrow. Cost savings at the expense of cleanliness and deferred maintenance are not cost savings at all – they only increase the cost to Nassau County taxpayers, riders and businesses in the long-term.

TRANSPARENT AND RESPONSIVE ADMINISTRATION OF SERVICE:

Riders and taxpayers must have a means of providing input into the levels of service and fares as well as the ability to communicate the need for expansion and the improvement of service.

Hope to see you on the 16th,

Charlene

Nassau Bus Bidder Has Ties to D'Amato

2011-04-13T09:01:00.001-07:00

Nassau bus bidder has ties to D'Amato
Originally published: April 12, 2011 10:04 PM
Updated: April 13, 2011 10:36 AM
By ALFONSO A. CASTILLO alfonso.castillo@newsday.com

One of the three private companies bidding to take over Nassau County's bus system is represented by a consulting firm headed by former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato and a Republican Party heavy-hitter with ties to County Executive Edward Mangano.

Paris, Ill.-based Veolia Transportation hired D'Amato's firm, Park Strategies, to help secure a contract with Nassau to take over operation of Long Island Bus, which has about 100,000 daily weekday riders.
Veolia -- the largest of the three bidders -- is working with Park Strategies vice president Robert McBride, a well-known GOP supporter who held a Jan. 27 fundraiser in his Hicksville home for Mangano. At the time, bidding for the LI Bus contract had closed.

McBride said Monday that the fundraiser was "booked way before" Veolia hired Park Strategies. He said he has never had any discussion with Mangano about the bus contract.

"I stand by doing everything right," said McBride, who added that he has known Mangano for more than 20 years and has hosted fundraisers for both Democrats and Republicans.

D'Amato, who co-hosted the fundraiser, declined to comment Tuesday.

What Veolia is paying D'Amato's firm and the length of the contract was not disclosed.

Two county legislators, both Democrats opposed to LI Bus' privatization, questioned the propriety of the links between Mangano, Park Strategies and Veolia.

Mangano spokesman Brian Nevin said Tuesday that Mangano is not personally involved in selecting a bidder to run LI Bus' operations. He called any claim of an appearance of impropriety "ridiculous."

Mangano has formed an independent committee to recommend a vendor. That company would have to be approved by the legislature and the Nassau County Interim Finance Authority, which must sign off on contracts of more than $50,000.

The bus system is county-owned but has been run by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority since 1973.
Mangano, in his push for privatization, has said he believes a private company can operate the system more efficiently than the MTA. The transit agency, in a long-running dispute with the county, has said it needs $26 million more yearly than the $9.1 million Nassau contributes to maintain existing service levels.

County officials put the system out to bid last fall and are considering Veolia and two other vendors -- MV Transit, based in Fairfield, Calif., and Cincinnati-based First Transit.

Veolia spokesman Michael Setzer said last week that the company began talks with Park Strategies because of the relationship between Veolia chief executive officer Mark Joseph and McBride, who both have longstanding business ties in the taxicab industry.

Setzer said Veolia has had no direct dealings with D'Amato, and the former Republican senator "has not been involved" in the LI Bus negotiations.

"The interaction that I've had with [Park Strategies] has been advisory," Setzer said. "When we wrote the proposal, we bounced the draft off of them."

Veolia officials said they had no information on which way Nassau is leaning.

Since October, Veolia advertised bus management jobs in Nassau County on the company's website. A spokeswoman said the company routinely searches for candidates in markets it is looking to enter.

Legis. Kevan Abrahams (D-Hempstead) vowed to ask "tough questions" when the company selected to run LI Bus goes before the Legislature for approval, perhaps as early as June.

Legis. David Denenberg (D-Merrick) said the fact that people working for Park Strategies held a fundraiser for Mangano while the county was considering Veolia's bid "sends the wrong message" -- especially considering the controversy involving Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy's campaign contributors and their connections to county public works projects.

LI Bus Service Will Remain until End of December: Then, Privatization?

2011-04-02T08:35:00.000-07:00

Charlene Obernauer

In a surprise announcement yesterday, the MTA and NYS legislators announced that the State will provide $8.6 million in capital funds to keep all of Nassau County's LI Bus routes running for the rest of this year. Congratulations to so many of you who published our fact sheets and collected petitions to Save LI Bus. Thanks to advocates like you, 5,000 signatures have been delivered to the County Executive, thousands of phone calls have been made, and bus riders and workers in Nassau County have strong allies.

But we haven't won yet. The County still plans to privatize the system in 2012, a decision we oppose and must fight. Stay tuned as we shape our next steps with our Coalition partners.