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!

WJCNY is pleased to introduce several new staff members!

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..."

Anti-Human Trafficking Autumn Update by Renan Salgado.

"WJCNY's Anti-Human Trafficking program continues to excel in its role as the leading organization focusing on labor trafficking in the state of New York.  Thus far in 2019, the program has assisted 29 victims of human trafficking. In addition, WJCNY’s expertise on the subject of labor trafficking continues in high demand across the country..."

Survivor Services Autumn Update By Cheryl Gee. 

"WJCNY works with some of the most vulnerable survivors of domestic violence – undocumented workers. For undocumented workers, barriers to leaving abusive relationships include immigration status, fear of deportation for themselves or family members, language access to systems of care, and cultural barriers in close-knit undocumented communities..."

Autumn Update from the Advocacy Department by Emma Kreyche.

Call-to-Action on the harmful pesticide Clorpyrifos by Sara Curtis, Advocacy & Communications Specialist.

"The WJCNY staff and board are beyond overjoyed with two major legislative wins in 2019. The passage of the “Green Light NY” bill permitting access to driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrant New Yorkers along with the Farm Laborers’ Fair Labor Practices Act were long-overdue victories for NY’s immigrant and farmworker communities. These are historic victories!..."

WJCNY Autumn Updates!

Featuring messages from our Executive Director, Lauren Deutsch, and our new Development Director, Patricia Cronin