Coalition to Address Chronically Low Wages in Predominantly Female Workforce Operating Under State Contracts

ALBANY, N.Y. — On March 13 at 11:00 a.m., Strong Nonprofits for a Better New York—a statewide coalition of more than 350 nonprofit human services providers—will host a press conference at the state capitol's Million Dollar Staircase to call for increased funding for wages in nonprofit contracts. 

 

More than 80% of human services workers are women, and many are women of color (44 percent of the total), making their chronically low wages a key equity issue. According to the organization, Governor Cuomo and the Legislature have an obligation to address this issue head-on in the current budget. 

 

Strong Nonprofits is asking the state to fund the minimum wage on direct contracts and to provide salary increases for human services workers who were not covered in last year’s direct care increase.

 

The coalition will also host a “Women in Human Services Hall of Fame,” in honor of Women’s History Month, where they will highlight notable women in human services from past to present times. Honorees were nominated by legislators and community members.

The following will be in attendance: Assemblymember Inez Dickens (A.D. 70), Assemblymember Patricia Fahy (A.D. 109), Assemblymember Shelley Mayer (A.D. 90), Assistant Speaker Felix W. Ortiz (A.D. 51), Assemblymember Luis R. Sepulveda (A.D. 87), Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon (A.D. 52), Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara (A.D. 111), Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages (A.D. 22), Senator Timothy M. Kennedy (S.D. 63), Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO and Executive Director, FPWA, Allison Sesso, Executive Director, Human Services Council, and members of the Strong Nonprofits for a Better New York coalition. 

Source: Mercury