Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Coaliton of Non-Profits Rally for Funded Increased Minimum Wage at State Capitol

 
ALBANY, NY–  #15andFunding, a coalition of more than 80 organizations representing human services and Medicaid-funded nonprofit workers across New York, today gathered at the State Capitol to voice their support for establishing a $15 minimum wage for all New Yorkers, with necessary funding to support the nonprofit workforce. The coalition also called for opponents to stop using nonprofits as scapegoats for maintaining the status quo of low wages.

These organizations deliver essential services on behalf of government, but despite the clear importance of the function they provide, the members of this workforce increasingly find themselves in the very same position as their clients— in need of social service assistance to provide for their families. Throughout New York State, this sector employs nearly 870,000 workers, and nearly half—420,000—would benefit from an increase in the minimum wage to $15 per hour. Nonprofits believe in a fair minimum wage both for their own workers, and for the communities they serve.

The coalition applauded the New York Assembly’s budget proposal, which includes $200 million to fund this wage increase for nonprofit organizations operating under state contracts and Medicaid reimbursements, in order to ensure that they can recruit and retain quality staff and avoid a decline in service levels and quality.

"As the minimum wage battle continues to heat up in the halls of Albany, the non-profit community wants to make it clear that we support an increase in wages for both the people we serve and our staffs. We don't want anyone to suggest that NYS shouldn't raise the wage because of the non-profit sector.  Nonprofit workers provide a vast range of essential public services caring for people who rely on their skills, commitment and compassion. These workers, their families, and the people they serve deserve a $15 minimum wage, and expect the state to provide the funding to ensure a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.” -Ron Deutsch, Executive Director, Fiscal Policy Institute

“These organizations are critical to building strong communities and helping individuals reach their full human potential, but their work is hindered by the lack of a living wage. We support the minimum wage increase for both our workers and for the communities we serve.” -Michelle Jackson, Associate Director and General Counsel, Human Services Council

“Despite a growing statewide coalition of human services and Medicaid-funded nonprofits actively supporting a minimum wage increase to $15 for all New Yorkers, opponents of the increased wage are shamefully using the nonprofit sector to justify a continuation of stagnant wages. Raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour with funding for the increased wage for workers employed by nonprofits performing government functions are both desired goals of the nonprofit human services and Medicaid-funded services sector.  These nonprofit workers are an extension of the New York State government’s workforce, and they perform critical roles in our economy and in the communities they serve.” -Jennifer Jones Austin, Executive Director and CEO, Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies

"Many workers in the not-for-profit sector provide services that the State is obligated under law to provide but at lower cost.  I am a strong supporter of raising the minimum wage.  Our economy needs it.  But, at the same time, we need to make sure that the State increases its reimbursement rates so these not-for-profits can continue to operate and provide much needed human services." – New York State Assemblyman Phil Steck

“Human services and direct care providers see the impact of low wages every day in their work.  In many cases, those working to alleviate the negative consequences of poverty, are themselves living paycheck to paycheck or relying on public assistance to meet their basic needs. Low wages can result in homelessness, food insecurity, and a variety of other challenges both for workers in the sector and for the clients they serve. Raising and funding the minimum wage greatly assists nonprofits’ ability to continue their important front-line work within communities across the state.” – New York State Assemblyman Hevesi

"It’s ridiculous that we might fail to raise the minimum wage because we refuse to increase funding for vital nonprofits – we can and must do both. The tireless workers in New York’s nonprofit sector serve some of our most vulnerable neighbors, and they deserve a living wage. Pitting those who need services against workers who provide those services is a false choice. New York’s working families need a $15 minimum wage, and New York’s social health and human service providers need additional government support to continue to perform their critical functions." –New York State Senator Liz Krueger

“With state funding to underwrite it, the adoption of a minimum wage of $15 for employees of nonprofits under contract with the state, as well as for Medicaid workers whose salaries are overwhelmingly paid for by the state, is absolutely essential. These workers are performing invaluable, essential human services in each of our communities. So we must ensure that they can afford to continue doing so — by being compensated with a livable minimum wage.” –New York State Assemblyman Luis SepĂșlveda 

Source: The Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies

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