Meng Meets With Former Vice President Joe Biden
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Bayside, Flushing, Forest Hills, Rego Park, Fresh Meadows, Glendale, Kew Gardens, Maspeth met with former Vice President Joe Biden where they discussed job opportunities to support the middle class, the importance of unions, and why continuing education and apprenticeships are important.
Meng and Biden met on Capitol Hill during a meeting Biden held with the Congressional Blue Collar Caucus, of which Meng is a member.
“I thank Vice President Biden for coming to speak about critical issues affecting American workers,” said Meng. “I agree that Congress must invest in the middle class and develop solutions to give American workers the tools to succeed in a highly competitive world, especially continuing education and apprenticeships. I look forward to continuing to work with Vice President Biden on helping the middle class succeed.”
The Blue Collar Caucus was formed to foster member discussion and legislative ideas focused on addressing wage stagnation, job insecurity, trade, offshoring, and dwindling career opportunities for those in the manufacturing and building trades.
Peralta Demands Full Investigation into Death of Construction Worker in Jamaica
State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Woodside) and the New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE) demanded a full investigation into the death of Edgar Pazmino, a construction worker killed at his workplace in Jamaica, Queens, on March 13.
Pazmino, an Ecuadorian immigrant and member of NICE, was crushed against a wall by a forklift on 89th Avenue and 150th Street, a high-rise luxury construction site.
Additionally, Peralta called on his colleagues in the state senate to pass Carlos’ Law (S.4373B), legislation that would protect workers from employers who do not comply with safety protocols at construction sites. Under the proposal, which Peralta co-sponsored, fines and penalties will increase when an employer or supervisor “ignores, disregards or fails to comply with workplace safety by protocols or procedures, and that contributes directly to bodily injury, serious physical injury or the death of a worker.”
“My heart goes out to the family, friends and co-workers of Edgar, a hard-working immigrant who lost his life while working at a construction site. Enough is enough. We must tackle this epidemic once and for all. It was troubling to find out that this particular construction site is plagued with safety violations, and that there were several stop work orders issued. In fact, last September there was a partial stop work order because a construction worker fell from the 8th to the 7th floor. Latino workers are disproportionately affected by accident in the workplace that result in death or serious injuries. It is time to put an end to this. It is my hope my colleagues in the Senate take note and finally pass Carlos’ Law,” said Peralta.
Weprin, Grodenchik Decry Hate Graffiti Found in Queens Village
Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Fresh Meadows, Richmond Hills) and City Councilman Barry Grodenchik (D-Bayside, Bellerose, Douglaston, Floral Park, Fresh Meadows, Glen Oaks, Hollis, Hollis Hills, Holliswood, Jamaica Estates, Little Neck Oakland Gardens, Queens Village) this week decried hate graffiti found in the rear of a Mosque under construction in Queens Village.
“The anti-Muslim graffiti vandalism that appeared on a construction fence on 237th Street in Bellerose Manor, where a mosque is under construction, is repugnant to this community and deeply disappointing to see in this day and age,” the two lawmakers said in a joint statement.
“Inflammatory words of hate, acts of vandalism, and attacks on the free exercise of faith have absolutely no place in a civilized society and deserve to be condemned. A hate crime against one of us, is a hate crime against all of us, an assault on our inclusive New York Values, and a threat to our identity as Americans.”
