Worker Advocacy

WJCNY Mobilizes for Fair and Humane Immigration Reform

We believe that achieving systemic change is a critical component of a holistic worker justice agenda and that reform of our nation’s immigration system is an essential compontent of acheiving justice for all low-wage workers. WJCNY has been a driving force in upstate New York on local, state, and federal campaigns to improve standards for low-wage workers, including efforts to increase wage rates and eliminate wage theft, provide equal access to identification for immigrant residents, and advocate for the rights of workers in specific industries that lack adequate protections.

Current Campaigns:

Campaign to Increase the Minimum Wage

Currently, New York’s minimum wage is a mere $7.25/hour–no higher than the federal floor–despite the relatively high cost of living in our state. WJCNY is participating in a campaign to raise the minimum wage in New York, in partnership with other worker advocacy organizations throughout the state.

Justice for Farmworkers Campaign

Despite the importance of the agricultural industry in New York State, agricultural workers are excluded from state and federal labor protections that provide workers in other industries with basic rights to overtime pay, a day of rest, disability insurance, and collective bargaining protections. For many years, Farmworker Legal Services of New York played an active role in the campaign to end farmworker exclusions from New York State labor law through the passage of the Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act. As WJCNY, we are continuing the fight for justice for New York State farmworkers as members of the Justice for Farmworkers Coalition.

Immigrant Justice

The WJCNY supports the struggle for immigrant justice through participation in local, statewide, and national mobilizations.