We are very excited to announce two major legal wins WJCNY and our clients have shared in recent months.

First, we secured $175,000 in a disability discrimination lawsuit for former employees of KTF Enterprises, a nail polish factory in Newburgh.

WJCNY represented Javier Amigon in the case. Amigon, a double amputee, had used a stool for his job for decades and was more than capable of doing his job while sitting.

Then a new company purchased the factory. After years of successfully using a stool to do his work, Amigon was denied access to it and told he would have to stand instead. The owner refused to allow alternative accommodations. Amigon was forced out of his job and terminated in a clear violation of state and federal anti-discrimination disability law.

New York's farmworkers are geographically isolated and face extreme challenges in securing food and supplies even in ordinary times. Lack of reliable transportation makes it difficult to seek testing and medical treatment. Some employers are failing to take the necessary measures to protect workers from COVID-19, and even less so on farm labor camps where workers often live in over-crowded and unsanitary conditions.

It's Farmworker Awareness Week! Will you fight for the workers who keep us fed at great risk to themselves? 

Here is what you need to do:

1. Read our letter to Governor Cuomo and the legislature here.

2. Contact Governor Cuomo, your NYS State Senator and Assembly Member today.

3. Tell them to take swift action to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of New York’s farmworkers during the COVID-19 pandemic by: 

• Developing a coordinated plan to address the unique needs of the agricultural workforce, including accessible know-your-rights materials, free testing in rural communities, and food and clean water. 
• Requiring agricultural employers to inform workers about their rights to COVID-19-related benefits, like paid sick leave, paid family leave, and temporary disability. 
• Extending unemployment benefits to H-2A workers affected by COVID-19.
• Providing direct financial assistance to farmworker families regardless of immigration status.
• Mandating health and safety protocols specific to COVID-19 for agricultural operations and farm labor camps.

Can you do even more?

We know that we will only get through this by working together. That's why we're asking you support these important campaigns led by some of our key partners! 

• Sign on to the Food Chain Workers Alliance's petition to Protect Front Line Food Workers during and after the pandemic.
• Support the NY United Campaign and call on all levels of government to immediately enact common-sense measures to ensure immigrants across the state can remain safe and healthy. Text ‘NYIC’ to 528-86 or go to bit.ly/NYUnited and follow the prompts!
• Call for the release of people in immigration centers across NY State, including the 500+ people detained in the upstate Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia. Learn more about how to take action here.

Thank you for standing together with workers!

Worker Justice Center of New York believes the health and safety of every worker is paramount.

That’s why we’ve decided to take some precautions. In response to Covid-19, in order to prioritize the safety and health of our team and the workers we serve, WJCNY will be temporarily closing our offices and our staff will be working remotely. We may not be in our office, but we’re not going anywhere. Our staff will continue to fight for worker rights, especially as low wage workers are disproportionately impacted by the virus.

Recap from WJCNY's participation in the Three Kings Holiday Celebrations with our coalition partners, the Western NY Coalition of Farmworker Serving Agencies and community partners, the Mujeres Divinas.

Just last month, New York State directed the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to ban the pesticide chemical chlorpyrifos from all use by July 2021. Chlorpyrifos is a neurotoxic pesticide used on agricultural products. Numerous studies have linked the use of this toxic chemical to many adverse health effects in children, like impaired brain development. These concerns are elevated for pregnant women who live near farms where chlorpyrifos is sprayed.

This past Thursday, Corteva, the world’s largest manufacturer of chlorpyrifos, announced that it will stop producing the chemical by the end of 2020. Corteva attributed its decision to the declining sales, however, thousands of environmental and farmworker advocates throughout the nation have worked hard to bring an awareness to government officials and allies of farmworkers concerning the danger of these toxic chemicals.

We are proud to have fought and WON access to driver's licenses for all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status. The Driver's License Access & Privacy Act--better known as the Green Light law--takes effect on Monday, December 16th. WJCNY is committed to making sure those we serve are fully informed about the process and understand their newly won rights. We have been working tirelessly with our Green Light NY Coalition partners across the state to ensure smooth implementation of the law and equal access to licenses in every corner of our state.

Check out our toolkits in English and Spanish to find out more about how to apply for a driver's license under New York's Green Light law! 

Yesterday, Forbes reported on an open letter addressed to Chobani’s Founder and CEO, Hamdi Ulukaya, calling on him to support the right of farmworkers to unionize. Chobani recently announced that it will partner with Fair Trade USA to certify dairy suppliers, including on “Worker Wellbeing.” But we are concerned about Fair Trade USA’s spotty record on respecting workers’ rights to organize after the organization certified a Central American melon farm with a history of union busting and grave worker exploitation. The letter was co-signed by WJCNY along with our partners, the Workers' Center of Central New York, SEIU Local 32BJ, and the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC). Read about it here in Forbes!

Legal Autumn Update by Robert McCreanor, Esq.

"Over the past 18 months, WJCNY has focused on strategic, high-impact legal assistance to low-wage and agricultural workers throughout New York State..."