Union Matters

1199 SEIU’s new campaign pushes for guaranteed fair pay for homecare workers

By STEPHON JOHNSON

Amsterdam News Staff 1199 SEIU took their issues about fair pay for homecare workers public this week.

Using television, digital and radio ads, the union leaders have made the push statewide to gain support for an increase in homecare worker pay seeking more money in the soon-to-be-revealed 2022-2023 state budget. They’re calling for a permanent increase and have spent seven figures in ad money to get their point across.

Rona Shapiro, executive vice president of 1199 SEIU’s homecare division, stated that unions that represent frontline employees during the pandemic have the right and the leverage to push for more pay.

“This campaign is a chance for patients, family members, labor leaders and advocates to stand together with homecare workers, and call for a sustainable and permanent pay raise,” said Shapiro. “Too many of our workers have reached a breaking point where they have to choose between barely scraping by to do a job they love or leaving the profession altogether. We can’t afford to lose one more homecare worker to low wages. We cannot afford to be silent.”

The union has already released several ads online with each focusing on a homecare worker or patient extolling the virtues of the job.

“Today, I’m able to stay in my home because of home care,” said an elderly woman named Sally in one of the ads. “Right now, there’s a shortage of home healthcare workers and that’s because they don’t have a decent hourly wage.”

“As a homecare worker, I look after my clients in their homes,” said homecare worker Sandra Diaz in another ad. “Then I come home to look after my son and elderly father.

“With the pandemic it’s scary, but I still have to work. I have bills to pay,” Diaz said.

According to the language of the Fair Pay For Home Care Act (Senate Bill S5374A), sponsored by State Sen. Rachel May and co-sponsored by senators Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Fred Akshar and Alessandra Biaggi, it “enacts provisions to provide minimum wages for home care aides; requires at least 150% of minimum wage or other set minimum; directs the commissioner of health to set regional minimum rates of reimbursement for homecare aides under Medicaid and managed care plans.”

The bill would pay homecare workers a living wage of at least $22.50 an hour. That is $10 to $12 more than the average homecare workers make now, according to 1199 SEIU officials. Working with the elderly and the disabled took on a new significance when the COVID-19 pandemic shut the city down. Nurses, doctors, subway workers, doorpeople and homecare workers alike were still expected to head to their jobs. They were labeled heroes by the public and now want to be treated as such.

“Home healthcare is not an easy job. The commute is difficult—whether it snows or there’s sunshine, you have to be there. Without us, without me, the person cannot survive for the day,” stated worker Lilleth Clacken. “We were doing this work before the pandemic. We will be doing this work after the pandemic. So we ask the governor and Albany to raise our wages permanently.”

(Photo courtesy of 1199 SEIU)

Homecare workers want the pay they feel they deserve.

Alabama Amazon workers sue Amazon, claim misconduct in election rerun

By STEPHON JOHNSON

Amsterdam News Staff

Alabama Amazon workers are crying foul, once again, at the corporate giant for interfering with the union vote.

They’re accusing management of removing pro-union literature from non-work areas where anti-union literature had been posted. Amazon’s Bessemer’s management had also been accused of organizing “Captive-Audience Meetings” which workers were coerced into joining to hear about the reasons not to join a union. They’re also being accused of promulgating a new rule that limits workers’ access to the facility for more than 30 minutes before and after their shift. It’s not in the job’s policy handbook.

“Being forced to attend the captive-audience anti-union trainings was degrading,” stated Roger Wyatt, a BAmazon Union Worker Organizing Committee member and Amazon BHM1 associate. “Amazon treated us like mindless robots, downloading mis-information to us. And the irony is, these meetings are the longest I’ve ever gotten to sit at work. If it’s impossible to allow me adequate break and bathroom time, why is it possible, let alone mandatory, for me to sit through hours of anti-union trainings? It should be our choice if we have to sit through one side’s arguments or not, it’s protected under the law and needs to be stopped permanently.”

An Amazon spokesperson said they haven’t seen Tuesday’s filing and that “we’re confident that our teams have fully complied with the law. Our focus remains on working directly with our team to make Amazon a great place to work.”

In late January, members of the BAmazon Union Worker Organizing Committee held a media briefing on the filing of the union’s Request for Review of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Notice of Election. In the Notice of Election, there was not a sufficient remedy to the mailbox, which was the main focus of the objections to the first election and the NLRB’s decision to grant workers a re-run election.

Last year, workers in Bessemer had organized what they felt were enough people to vote but were thwarted when they lost the election to form a union. This brought about accusations of interference against Amazon for violating Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act. Workers called out Amazon for moving the needle on election results by installing security cameras to monitor the voter collection box in the job site’s parking lot, threatening workers with layoffs and with closing the facility, and threatening workers with docked pay and less benefits. It’s something NLRB officials factored into their decision to let Bessemer workers get a second chance at a vote. “By installing a postal mailbox at the main employee entrance, the employer essentially hijacked the process and gave a strong impression that it controlled the process,” read part of the NLRB’s solution. “This dangerous and improper message to employees destroys trust in the Board’s processes and in the credibility of the election results.” Over the past year, Amazon’s organizing workers have received public support from elected officials, the NFL Players Association, the Writers Guild of America East and West, and U.S. President Joe Biden.

Biden’s support marked the first time a president publicly advocated for unions.

“Removing union literature from break rooms, limiting workers’ ability to talk with each other, compelling attendance at captive audience meetings to listen to anti-union messages—all of these actions expose Amazon’s undisguised efforts to stifle workers’ voices and its contempt for their rights to join together,” he stated.

“What’s Amazon afraid of?” said Wilma Liebman, former member and chairman, NLRB. “What’s Amazon afraid of?”

(Photo courtesy of Lawrence Glass via iStock Amazon workers in Bessemer claim that the company interfered with elections again.

No free lunch in good cause eviction protection

By BROTHER PAUL MUHAMMAD

In theory “Good Cause Eviction Protection” is a good cause. However, the reality is there is no such thing as a free lunch or a free apartment. Somebody has got to pay the rent, whether it is the city, state or federal government. Small homeowners and tenants are being pitted against each other to pay the rents, so we can save our homes—our generational wealth.

The state and city should adopt a “SHELTER in PLACE” theory. I have submitted this plan to several elected officials. I will share later. The idea is to create a sustainable program to pay the rent of tenants who are living in the apartments and are not paying, or cannot pay. Poor small homeowners are not sheltering locations—our constitutional rights are being trampled upon.

The Rezoning Plan (PLOT) of former Mayor “Developer” de Blasio along with the “AGGRESSIVE” Tenant Protection law circa 2018 created the “Perfect Storm” of factors that are and have financially devastated small Black and Brown homeowners! Black and Brown small homeowners were faced with the deed theft, badgering and conniving tricks of developers/speculators who descended upon Black and Brown communities before and after the rezoning, destabilizing the truly AFFORDABLE apartments in small owner-occupied buildings. The small homeowners also faced the skyrocketing costs of utilities, water, city regulations. Who allowed this? New York City Council members capitulated to, conspired with and CO-SIGNED the rezoning of poor communities in 2016. Many small homeowners such as myself are owed tens of thousands of dollars in back rent (and we owe the banks), and are stuck with professional ‘non-paying’ tenants! The ERAP program is a joke and broke. Funding is depleted. It only allows for 12 to 15 months of rental arrears MAX, and then forces you to keep the tenant WITHOUT future guarantee of rent payments. A lot of the tenants we are stuck with owe 20, 24 up to 36 MONTHS arrears. HOW? Some landlords like myself have been stuck with tenants who were in arrears in 2019 and in court, but due to the purposeful manipulation by city-appointed judges and city-appointed lawyers for tenants [have caused] longer drawn out cases; delaying JUST EVICTIONS, preventing poor landlords from getting possession of RENT from RENT PAYING TENANTS! Evictions [were] stalled in 2019. By the beginning (COVID-19 moratorium) of 2020 evictions were halted, making poor small landlords unpaid adjunct shelters who faced huge unpaid utility bills, and water and sewer and mortgage arrears. Now in 2022, there are pending foreclosures, which is an eviction of tenants and small homeowners who are landlords, from where they both call home.

In an article written by Emma Whitford for the Gothamist, entitled “Report: Cost of Renting Hotel Room for Homeless People Has Risen 600% Since 2015,” it was explained that the average nightly cost of housing homeless people in commercial hotel rooms, increased $82,214 to $576,203 per night, city-wide.

There is a solution to this problem, it’s in the “Win-Win-Win” housing plan. The contract between landlord and tenant is the most common deal made in New York State. When you stabilize the homeowner, you stabilize the tenant, and in that effort you stabilize the community. The proposal of the Win-Win-Win Housing Plan is an agenda to redistribute money to homeowners, to pay rent for tenants until disputes are resolved in tenant court. This is not only an idea of current substance and action, but it is a strategic plan for the betterment of our communities and a catalyst for building future generational wealth. The initial win is giving landlords, who are the anchors and major shareholders in the Brooklyn communities of Brownsville, East New York, Crown Heights, and Ocean Hill, the stability and leverage to continue to uphold their homes and meet their financial obligations, including paying mortgage, taxes, home maintenance and water bills. This will give landlords the opportunity to establish and maintain generational wealth. The second win is providing tenants a safe environment for shelter that they are familiar with. The third win is providing homeowners stability, and thus encouraging community morale, enabling landlords to timely and effectively meet their obligations, which eventually leads to a decrease in foreclosure and encouraging landlords to continue to rent to residents, decreasing evictions.

Remember, now in 2022 there are pending foreclosures which are the evictions of tenants and landlords of their homes.

Uncivil rites

The testimony of several witnesses in the federal trial of the three white men who killed Ahmaud Arbery left little doubt about their racism. There was evidence that they had been harboring racial animus for years, and finally had an opportunity to violently express it and vioEDITORIAL late Arbery’s civil rights. When Kim Potter was punished with only a 24month sentence, eight of them on probation, for killing Daunte Wright in Minnesota, there was an outpouring of disgust with many asserting another miscarriage of justice. Now we wait to see what will happen in the civil rights case of three former Minneapolis police officers connected to the murder of George Floyd in 2020. The judge in the Potter case took time to draw some distinctions between the two tragedies.

How these two cases will bear on the officers in Minneapolis has a number of complicated factors with Derek Chauvin being the one convicted of applying the knee compressing Floyd’s neck leading to his death, and others charged with failing to give Floyd medical aid, or in the case of two other officers failing to intervene in Chauvin’s use of unreasonable force.

Common to each of these incidents is the case of three Black men having their lives ended by bullets or a knee from a white man and a white female officer, who unlike the others demonstrated some remorse for her actions.

Many have raised questions that in any of these instances if the victims had been white would they be dead now. For too many white folks, a Black man is a mortal threat, a potential beast that can snuff out their lives.

Across more than five centuries of American history this fact has been a reality and to think it can be rectified in the courtrooms is ludicrous. But to some extent that is the only mercy available, something we have to live with and, when it does not exist, as in the case of George Floyd, die from.

As they deliberate in Minneapolis, let us hope that the jurors there won’t need a chorus of witnesses testifying about the racist behavior of the officers to deliver a just verdict.

Brother Paul Muhammad is the student protocol director, Nation of Islam, Mosque No. 7c; co-chair of public safety quality of life of Community Board 5 Steering Committee; land use committee member of Community Board 5 Steering Committee; and cofounder of the Coalition for Community Advancement for East New York/Cypress Hills and vice-chair of the Community Advisory Board Gotham Health ENY Diagnostic Clinic. Paul Muhammad can be reached at Generalorders@verizon.net

This Black History Month, let’s make history

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not represent those of the New York Amsterdam News. We continue to publish a variety of viewpoints so that we may know the opinions of others that may differ from our own.

ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS

As we celebrate Black History Month and the great accomplishments of African Americans to the United States since its founding, I wanted to take a different perspective, one that focuses on what Black Americans must do to achieve economic and generational prosperity.

We must be concerned about the plight of many Black communities in the United States, which are plagued by high poverty, high crime, and dismal educational systems. We must first recognize

that these issues are not ordained nor inevitable, but rather require significant transformation. This is accomplished by emphasizing faith, family, and education as key ingredients in lowering crime, reducing poverty, and developing individuals who are ready to compete aggressively in the complicated and tough global economy. We all know that acquiring a decent education is directly linked to lower crime rates. We also know that the family unit is an important framework for providing the necessary support and balance for children to thrive. These are the issues that must be addressed during Black History Month and beyond.

It is no longer sufficient to invest in initiatives that do nothing to alleviate poverty or provide young men with a better and more productive way to channel their energy that does not result in the disintegration of their communities through violence, crime, and drugs. We must consider how we might provide opportunities, conditions, and incentives to help many poor Black communities escape poverty and succeed.

One primary focus which must be made by lawmakers and community leaders is that of education. Education has, for millennia, been the primary means of lifting people out of poverty. When a Black child is equipped with the skills and knowledge that a proper education provides, boundless opportunities will actualize, and the good he will do for both his community and the world will be inevitable. When our Black youths can learn to turn to words instead of violence, and a book instead of a gun, it will be then that we will see what the future has in store for these children. Statistics show that poor education plagues Black youths, and it is precisely this issue that we must address first in order to lift future generations within the Black community out of poverty. Facilitating these opportunities will demonstrate that Black Americans can achieve economic empowerment and development with the correct leadership and assistance, and it will aid in the recovery of many distressed communities across the United States. A large majority of Black Americans need and desire positive and significant change. However, we must accept that some people are oblivious of the options available to them because they have been exposed to a recurrent cycle of terrible examples of what not to do to be successful.

And, with such a strong focus on racial injustice, we must consider what other injustices we are oblivious to that cause incongruence in our ostensibly righteous actions. We all know that injustice doesn’t just happen in one place or among one group of people. If there is a systemic problem, it will eventually affect everyone; the thinking, conscientious individuals among us are well aware of this.

Some people are going to disagree with my solutions to some of these problems, and that’s fine. Acceptance does not necessarily imply agreement; that is, we can accept problems because they are directly in front of us, but that does not mean we must always agree on how to solve them. It is precisely this notion that so frequently divides us, and now is the moment to work together, not apart, so that we may reflect on the past during Black History Month and take the necessary steps in the present to change the future.

Black people must never think of themselves as victims, but rather as champions. “We cannot solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them,” Albert Einstein said. To move the needle forward, we need fresh ideas nurtured by a new generation of thinking leaders. People must trust in themselves and understand that their circumstances do not determine their fate. There is also a need to recognize the value of working together as a society to uplift everybody rather than fighting against one another in a tribal manner for personal greed and selfishness. Whether we recognize it or not, our joint success is contingent on society elevating and empowering those who are in need—when this occurs, people cease being victimized, and everyone gets the potential to prosper as a result of our shared ideals of success.

I am convinced that the Black community can progress and live up to the standards set by so many former Black icons. But that transformation must begin with each of us as individuals, regardless of skin color. As the old adage goes, we are our brother’s keeper.

"When our Black youths can learn to turn to words instead of violence, and a book instead of a gun, it will be then that we will see what the future has in store for these children. "

Armstrong Wiliams (@ARightSide) is manager / sole owner of Howard Stirk Holdings I & II Broadcast Television Stations and the 2016 Multicultural Media Broadcast Owner of the year. www.armstrongwilliams. co | www.howardstirkholdings.com

How are you sleeping?

CHRISTINA GREER PH.D.

Lately, quite a few of my friends have expressed frustration at how poorly they have been sleeping. Many of our brains are racing at night worrying about loved ones, our health, finances, the state of the world, and so much more. I believe in creating an environment for the best sleep hygiene, so I have compiled a short list of suggestions to help you maximize your sleep at night. I hope some of these suggestions help you clear your mind and (finally) get a good night’s sleep.

If possible, do not keep your phone in the bedroom and do not use your phone at least 30 minutes before heading to bed. In addition, do not use social media at least an hour before bedtime. Reading about the ills of the world or Facebook dramas do not help settle your mind or spirit.

I also like to use lavender lotion on my temples, hands, and feet to create a soothing sleep environment. It works for babies so why not adults?

One of my best discoveries has been the use of Brown noise. You can type it in on Spotify or find a free app on your phone. This has been a game changer. White and Pink noise have frequencies that are too exciting (for me) to sleep.

I invested in a good eye mask with deep inset eye sockets so I can open my eyes fully while still wearing the mask. I also got fitted for a proper mouth guard at my dentist to help curtail grinding my teeth at night. I was told the cheap mouthguards for purchase at your local drugstore can cause long term damage to your gums, so choose your mouth guard well.

So many of my friends are obsessed with their weighted blanket. They feel like the lead apron from the dentist’s office when you sleep, and it definitely relaxes you. If your apartment is dry, I suggest investing in a humidifier or at the very least placing a pot of water on your radiator to moisten the air in your room.

Lastly, if your mind is still racing then try a gratitude journal you keep by the bed. List 15 items each night in a little journal chronicling items you are thankful for (large and/or small). I have found it is so helpful to cleanse my mind with gratitude.

This is literally my regime almost every night. I ebb and flow with the journaling and I must admit, I keep my phone by my bed in case I need to be reached. However, find what works best for you. Changing pillows, sheets, comforters, or even your bed can also add to a more productive night’s sleep. Essentially, try to clear your mind as much as possible before bed so your mind and soul can be at rest for a few hours.