NYC Union News

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TWU Threatens Lawsuit Over NYC Horse Carriage Ban

New York City's debate over horse-drawn carriage rides could move from City Hall to federal court as the Transport Workers Union prepares to challenge proposed legislation that would end the industry. Ahead of an October 22 City Council vote, TWU notified city officials that it intends to seek an emergency court order if Intro. 943 is approved. The union argues that the proposal threatens carriage drivers' jobs, business owners' investments and the value of city-issued medallions without providing adequate financial protections. TWU also disputes restrictions on the future sale of carriage horses, raising constitutional concerns about property rights and due process. The proposed ban remains subject to legislative action, and the union's legal claims have not been adjudicated.

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Brooklyn Navy Yard-Based NYC Ferry Workers Join TWU

Technical supervisors at NYC Ferry, whose workforce is primarily based at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, voted unanimously to join the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU). The vote follows successful organizing efforts involving ferry captains, technicians and welders over the past three months. According to TWU, the union now represents hundreds of NYC Ferry employees who work for ferry operator Hornblower. The union is preparing to negotiate initial labor contracts covering the newly organized workers while continuing efforts to organize deckhands. NYC Ferry, which launched in 2017, operates six regular routes and one seasonal route across New York City.

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NY Pension Funds Push Starbucks on Labor Oversight

New York City and state pension investors are seeking changes to Starbucks' board oversight of labor relations ahead of the company's 2027 annual shareholder meeting. New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, NYC Comptroller Mark Levine on behalf of four city pension funds, and a Trillium Asset Management fund filed a shareholder proposal asking Starbucks to restore its Environmental, Partner, and Community Impact Committee. The committee, established in 2023 and later dissolved, had responsibilities that included monitoring labor relations. The investors argue that dedicated independent oversight is needed as Starbucks continues to face unresolved collective bargaining and labor disputes. The filers collectively held 2.82 million Starbucks shares as of June 30, 2026.

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190,000 NY Caregivers Seek Vote to Join 1199SEIU

Nearly 190,000 New York caregivers could participate in a union representation election after workers in the state's Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program filed with the National Labor Relations Board seeking representation by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. Approximately 70,000 CDPAP caregivers signed union authorization cards supporting an election, according to the union. CDPAP allows eligible older adults and people with disabilities to select and direct caregivers who assist them at home, including relatives in many cases. The organizing effort comes as demand for home care workers continues to increase nationwide. Federal projections show employment of home health and personal care aides growing by approximately 847,300 jobs between 2025 and 2035, the largest projected numerical increase of any U.S. occupation

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NYC Pension Funds Eye $5B in Climate Investments

New York City Comptroller Mark Levine is proposing a major expansion of private-market climate investments involving three of the city's public pension funds. Under the plan, the Comptroller's Bureau of Asset Management expects to present $5 billion in potential investments to the boards overseeing NYCERS, the Teachers' Retirement System and the Board of Education Retirement System. Opportunities would include renewable power, energy storage, grid modernization, clean transportation, energy efficiency and building upgrades. Individual investments would still require review and approval by the pension boards. The proposal is part of a broader strategy under which the three retirement systems have established a goal of investing $37.8 billion in climate-related solutions by 2035.

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NYC Labor Rally Honors 9/11 Workers, Draws 5,000

More than 5,000 union members representing over 50 unions gathered in Lower Manhattan for the New York City Central Labor Council’s 2026 Labor Day Rally and March, combining a celebration of organized labor with remembrance of the workers who responded to the September 11 attacks. The event highlighted the role union members played in the city’s rescue, recovery and rebuilding efforts while connecting that legacy to current concerns facing New York workers. Participants marched past the World Trade Center site on their way to Foley Square, with labor leaders, rank-and-file members and elected officials taking part. Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Attorney General Letitia James and other city and state leaders were among those attending the gathering.

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NY State Workers Rally Against Workplace Bullying

The Public Employees Federation brought its newest labor protest symbol, S.T.O.M.P. the bull, to Lower Manhattan as union members rallied over alleged workplace problems at the New York State Department of Financial Services. PEF says employees have faced bullying, intimidation and retaliation and is calling for greater accountability and protections for state workers. The demonstration drew roughly 100 union leaders, members and staff, along with representatives from other labor organizations and several elected officials. The union also raised broader concerns about how discrimination complaints involving state agencies are investigated. S.T.O.M.P., whose name stands for “Stop Treating Our Members Poorly,” is expected to appear at future PEF actions across New York State.

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NYP Brooklyn Methodist NY Nurses Ratify New Contract

Nearly 1,600 NYSNA nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital have approved a new three-year labor agreement following months of negotiations over working conditions and patient care. The deal strengthens staffing requirements, expands measures aimed at protecting hospital workers from violence, establishes protections concerning the use of artificial intelligence in clinical decision-making, and provides annual pay increases. The agreement also changes parts of the arbitration process, giving nurses additional mechanisms to address staffing disputes and other workplace concerns.

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Amazon Teamsters Rally for Delivery Protection Act

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Amazon workers and labor advocates gathered outside New York City Hall to urge action on the Delivery Protection Act, legislation aimed at increasing accountability and workplace protections in the city’s delivery industry. Supporters say the measure would address safety concerns and employment practices involving large delivery companies and their subcontractors.