by Natasha B. | Mar 22, 2017 | CMS in the News, Immigration, Legal Services, News, Workers' Rights
Following a Department of Homeland Security investigation, immigrant workers from Tom Cat Bakery were threatened by mass firings. On Wednesday, March 22nd workers, elected officials and community supporters rallied outside of the city’s oldest artisanal bakery to protest and stand in solidarity. The workers, represented by attorneys from Catholic Migration Services and Urban Justice Center – Community Development Project are also members of Brandworkers, a non-profit organization bringing local food production workers together for good jobs and a sustainable food system.
Read the full press release from Brandworkers in Common Dreams: Immigrant Food Factory Workers Threatened with Mass Termination Choose Resistance
by changer | Mar 4, 2015 | News, Workers' Rights
Governor Cuomo’s administration announced on February 24th that by December 31, 2015, the tipped minimum wage will be $7.50 in New York State. This is in response to over 2,000 emails to the New York State Department of Labor, rallies, and public testimonies. As a result of the two-tiered wage system that is currently in place service workers are forced to live off of tips for the bulk of their take-home pay. This is a huge victory for wage equality and fair wages for restaurant servers, hotel housekeepers and other tipped employees in New York.
by changer | Mar 4, 2015 | News, Workers' Rights
On Friday, February 27, 2015, the New York City Council’s Committee on Immigration held a hearing on labor trafficking in the domestic worker industry. Alice Davis, staff attorney in the Immigrant Workers’ Rights Program, testified on the need for adequate training the law enforcement agencies that are most likely to encounter victims of trafficking, to create uniform policies for interviewing victims, and clarifying the role of advocates during investigations.
A recent study by Hoftstra University found that there are over 11,000 victims of human trafficking in New York alone. Yet, since 2007, only 37 victims have been confirmed by New York law enforcement agencies to receive emergency assistance and other benefits. Based on this discrepancy, Council Member Menchaca, Chair of the Committee on Immigration, stated that, “It is clear that more needs to be done to improve the lives of labor trafficking victims.”
The Immigrant Workers’ Rights Program assists victims of labor trafficking by representing them in civil litigation for wage violations and other claims arising out of their employment, as well as assisting them in applications for T visas.
For more information on the Immigrant Workers’ Rights Program please click here.
by changer | Feb 10, 2015 | Immigration, Legal Services, Parish Outreach, Workers' Rights
On Sunday, Feb. 1, CMS staff Rebecca Rybaltowski and Lorena Lopez conducted outreach at St. Benedict Joseph Labre Parish in South Richmond Hill. They discussed CMS programs and the different services we offer after both an English and Spanish mass. In total there were around 150 attendees, after mass Rebecca and Lorena distributed materials to parishioners and answered questions. CMS will be continuing parish outreach throughout the remainder of winter and into the spring season.
by changer | Nov 12, 2014 | Immigration, Workers' Rights
Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation on March 29th 2013 that increased the minimum wage in three increments, $8.00 an hour on 12/31/13, $8.75 an hour beginning 12/31/14, and $9.00 an hour beginning 12/31/15.
The minimum wage laws apply to all workers, even if you are undocumented or paid in cash or off the record. You must receive at least $8.75 per hour, regardless of whether you are paid on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis. Overtime will also increase to a minimum of $13.13 for hours exceeding 40 in a work week.
For more information on the minimum wage please visit the New York State Department of Labor.
If you or someone you know is receiving less than $8.00 an hour, or $8.75 an hour beginning 12/31/14 or is not receiving overtime please contact CMS’ Linea Laboral 877-525-2267.
Linea Laboral is a call center for workers to learn about their rights and report abuses. Linea Laboral is part of the Immigrant Workers’ Rights Program (IWRP). This program assists workers across New York and New Jersey in disputes over wage and hour violations, unsafe working conditions, and other workplace abuses. Since the development of IWRP in 2009 we have sent nearly 1,000 complaints to federal and state government agencies and have recovered around $250,000 in wages.
For more information on the Immigrant Workers’ Rights Program click here.
