Hochul announces steps to strengthen sexual harassment prevention policy
Governor Kathy Hochul yesterday announced that the state Department of Labor (DOL) will update its sexual harassment prevention policy.
The Department is inviting New Yorkers to provide input to further strengthen workplace protections. This builds on the Governor’s ongoing efforts to improve transparency and increase accountability in the workforce.
“The moment I took office, I vowed to make the workplace safer, more respectful, and more collaborative across New York State,” Hochul said. “From overhauling anti-harassment training for state employees to signing a package of legislation to address workplace harassment and discrimination, we have taken significant action to strengthen protections against discrimination and harassment. Now, I am encouraging all New Yorkers to provide their input to protect workers and help ensure that New York continues to lead the nation on harassment prevention.”
The current sexual harassment prevention policy was adopted in 2018 and must be reviewed every four years per legislation. As the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to shift the labor landscape, the governor and the DOL are reviewing the current policy to ensure that all New Yorkers have the fullest protections possible while on the job.
Now through September 20, New Yorkers can submit feedback through this secure form. The DOL is also launching a multi-platform public awareness campaign, including this video, to encourage New Yorkers to participate in this important process.
Stavisky, Rozic Announce Law To Memorialize NYPD Detective Anastasios Tsakos with Highway Overpass Renaming
Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Queens) and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D – Queens) announced yesterday that Governor Huchul has signed their legislation renaming of the Long Island Expressway (“LIE”) overpass located at Francis Lewis Boulevard and Horace Harding Expressway as “Detective Anastasios Tsakos Memorial Bridge.”
The new law, which passed both the State Senate and State Assembly with bipartisan support, will now allow the Department of Transportation to proceed with the design and installation of signage.
Earlier in the year, Stavisky and Rozic were joined by Irene Tsakos, various units of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), the Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York (“NYC PBA”) President Patrick J. Lynch, and members of the local community memorializing the one-year anniversary of the passing of Detective Tsakos who was killed in the line of duty.
“The designation of the ‘Detective Anastasios Tsakos Memorial Bridge’ will help keep the memory of Detective Tsakos alive while serving as a reminder of his tragic death in the line of duty. Detective Tsakos served our city with distinction for more than a decade before his untimely passing. He was a loving son, husband and father who is survived by his wife and two children. I am honored to have sponsored this bill to rename this overpass as a small gesture of gratitude for his sacrifice,” said Stavisky.
“This new law and signage will help memorialize Detective Tsakos and his heroism by renaming the Francis Lewis Boulevard LIE overpass in his honor. I thank Governor Kathy Hochul for signing this legislation expeditiously and getting this done,” said Rozic.
Ung to Co-Host 2022 U.S. Open Hiring Event
City Council Member Sandra Ung (D-Queens) announced yesterday that in conjunction with the USTA [United States Tennis Association] she will host a hiring event for residents in her district interested in filling seasonal positions available during the 2022 U.S. Open.
“This is a major event that takes place in Flushing’s backyard every year, and local residents should take advantage of and benefit from the opportunities it provides,” said Ung. “I want to thank the USTA for meeting with constituents in my district and giving them a chance to fill some of the thousands of jobs created annually during the U.S. Open.”
Available job opportunities include player and guest services, courts and grounds, administration, and parking lot and access control. All positions offer competitive pay and meal allowances.
“I encourage anyone who is looking for a good-paying temporary job, regardless of your experience level, to apply,” said Ung. “This is also a great opportunity for someone looking to get started in a new career or a young person looking to build their resume.”
Employment recruiters from the USTA will be at Bowne Playground at Union Street and Sanford Avenue conducting interviews from 2-5 p.m., July 20. Interested applicants can apply in advance at careers-usopen.icims.com. They should indicate they are a resident of the Council Member’s district and would prefer an interview on July 20 in Bowne Playground.
Walk-ups are also welcome. For more information, email usopenstaff@usta.com.
Espaillat leads congressional resolution condemning SCOTUS decision overturning Roe & Casey
Congress Members Adriano Espaillat (D-Manhattan, Bronx) and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) yesterday introduced a resolution condemning the United States Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey and reaffirming their commitment to advancing reproductive justice and judicial reform.
Approximately 64,000,000 women and girls of reproductive age live in the United States, and more than half of them live in states that could seek to ban or further restrict access to abortion now that the Supreme Court overturned Roe and Casey.
As Justices Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan stated in their dissenting opinion, the holding in Dobbs results in the “curtailment of women’s right, and of their status as free and equal citizens.” Women living in poverty, people of color, undocumented persons, as well as transgender and gender non-binary individuals will be disproportionately harmed by the Supreme Court’s action.
The decision to end the federal constitutional right to an abortion strips these groups of choice and will have reverberating negative personal and financial outcomes, including financial instability, the ability to attain higher education, as well as disruptions to the overall health care for people reliant on clinics for preventative care.
“Our nation is reeling following the Supreme Court’s decision to abolish the reproductive rights recognized in Roe and Casey and relegate women and others to second class status here in our nation,” said Espaillat.
“The Supreme Court acted as politicians not neutral jurists when they obliterated decades of progress for equality and reproductive justice for millions of women in America, who lost a fundamental constitutional protection and the freedom of choice. This decision will disproportionately harm women of color, women living in poverty, and undocumented women who will be unable to travel, and will potentially put lives in danger as studies indicate that pregnancy-related deaths will increase by 21 percent when reproductive rights are restricted. Congress must commit to correcting this wrong and ensuring the fight for reproductive justice continues,” the lawmaker added.
