1199 SEIU, HTC Among 14 Additional Labor Groups to Support 'Enough is Enough' Campaign

More Than 100 Total Advocacy Groups, Community Organizations and Unions Pledge Support for Campaign

A total of 14 additional labor groups have signed on in support of the Enough is Enough campaign to combat sexual violence on college and university campuses. As of today’s announcement, more than 100 groups – including unions, advocacy groups and community organizations – are supporting the Governor’s initiative. These groups are part of the groundswell of support that is currently pushing for passage of the Governor’s bill to ensure that all colleges in the state implement uniform and comprehensive policies to prevent sexual violence and support victims when it does occur.

“With just days left in the legislative session, the time is now to make New York a national leader in fighting sexual assault on college campuses,” Governor Cuomo said. “New York’s schools should be a model for being proactive in both combatting sexual violence and in supporting survivors, and our proposal will ensure that every college and university in the state lives up to that standard. It’s time to come together and stand up for our college students – because Enough is Enough.”

The labor groups signing on to the Governor’s Enough is Enough campaign today are: 

1199 SEIU, Hotel Trades Council, Construction and General Building Laborers' Local 79, Greater New York Laborers, and employers cooperation and education trust (GNY LECET), IUPAT DC 4,The Mason Tenders' District Council of Greater New York PAC, Recycling & General Industrial Laborers' Local 108, New York, New Jersey Joint Board, Worker's United, New York Metropolitan Joint Board, Worker's United Workers United Rochester Regional Joint Board, Workers United Laundry, Distribution & Food Service JB,CWA District 1,CWA Local 1180 and PSC-CUNY

George Gresham, President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the largest union in New York and the largest healthcare union in the nation, said, "We are proud to stand with Governor Cuomo in protecting our young people on college campuses. By saying 'Enough is Enough,' the Governor is putting students first and working to ensure that New York's colleges and universities take the lead in responding to the problem of sexual assault. We join with the Governor and other leaders to urge the legislature to pass this bill before the session adjourns.”

Hotel Trades Council (HTC) President Peter Ward, said, “We join in support of Governor Cuomo’s ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign because the epidemic of sexual violence on college campuses needs to end. The Governor’s legislation sets a uniform bar for colleges to protect their students, and it ensures that survivors will be supported when these terrible crimes happen. We strongly encourage the state legislature to pass the Governor’s bill this session.”

The new labor support is in addition to existing support from more than 80 statewide and local organizations including: RWDSU, IUPAT DC 9, NYSNA,SEIU 200 United, Teamsters Local 237,TWU Local 100 and HERE 150

Gemma de Leon, President, RWDSU Local 1102, said “Governor Cuomo's 'Enough is Enough' legislation is critically needed to curb the epidemic of sexual violence that we are seeing in higher education today. By establishing a uniform definition of consent and ensuring a clear path to reporting, New York State would be taking a bold action on behalf of our college students. We are proud to sign on to support this important campaign and urge the state legislature to pass 'Enough is Enough' this session.

Governor Cuomo’s on-campus sexual assault prevention and response policy includes the following components:

A statewide definition of affirmative consent, defining consent as a clear, unambiguous, and voluntary agreement between the participants to engage in specific sexual activity;

A statewide amnesty policy, to ensure that students reporting incidents of sexual assault or other sexual violence are granted immunity for certain campus policy violations, such as drug and alcohol use; 

A Sexual Violence Victim/Survivor Bill of Rights, which campuses will be required to distribute to all students in order to specifically inform sexual violence victims of their legal rights and how they may access appropriate resources. The Bill of Rights clearly states that students are given the right to know they can report sexual assaults to outside law enforcement, including the State Police; and 

Comprehensive training requirements for administrators, staff, and students, including at new student orientations.

Governor Cuomo launched the Enough is Enough campaign in February, and it has since gained a wide range of support from a variety of public officials, organizations and community groups, including:

Lady Gaga, who also co-authored an op-ed with the Governor;1

7 of 18 county executives statewide;

Whoopi Goldberg, who also filmed a video for the campaign;
More than 40 city mayors from across the state;

More than 100 elected officials from across the state;

Nearly 20 members of New York’s Congressional Delegation;
More than 50 statewide and local organizations, in addition to 30 advocacy groups, community organizations and unions;

28 public safety officials from across the state;

Student advocates from Barnard College and Syracuse, Columbia, Fordham and New York Universities;

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi; and

11 private colleges and universities across the state.