PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Richard Foster, Small Business Owner, on Intro 991-B
3:45:31
·
149 sec
Richard Foster, a small business owner in the hotel subcontracting industry, testified against Intro 991-B, arguing that it would negatively impact small businesses while hiding behind the facade of safety standards. He emphasized his company's commitment to safety and cleanliness, and criticized the bill as an attempt to force unionization.
- Foster's business employs about 600 people and has helped staff shelters during the pandemic and migrant crisis.
- He highlighted his company's high cleanliness standards (96-98% average score) and comprehensive safety manuals.
- Foster argued that the proposed law would shut down small businesses that survived the pandemic, putting thousands out of work.
Richard Foster
3:45:31
Good afternoon.
3:45:32
My name is Richard Foster.
3:45:34
My wife and I are owners of what you're considering a subcontractor.
3:45:40
When the COVID 19 pandemic hit, I lost my previous business of over 30 years.
3:45:48
In order to support my family, I went into this industry.
3:45:53
My business is a family room business.
3:45:56
We hired around 600 employees during the pandemic through the migrant increase, contributing to New York's economy.
3:46:08
Throughout these pandemics and migrant needs, we worked with city agencies and to staff several of the shelters when they needed us to.
3:46:21
Additionally, we never took any PPP loans or any other financial aid from the city, adding not to add stress to the situation.
3:46:31
As a small business owner, the safety of both my staff, and the hotel's guests has always been a top priority for us.
3:46:39
That's why I took so much care in creating both my handbook and separate additional safety manuals.
3:46:47
This handbook and safety manual contain detailed standards, that all staff must adhere to guarantee the safety and high standards we strive for.
3:46:58
We follow the same safety standards as the hotels themselves.
3:47:02
In terms of cleanliness standards, the hotels that contract with us maintain an average cleanliness score of 96 to 98%.
3:47:12
To put it simply, this law hides behind the facade of safety standards, which is merely a pretext of forcing people into and to join a union to try to grow the union in New York.
3:47:24
Instead, this law would close down small businesses throughout the city.
3:47:29
These businesses battled every day during the pandemic to finally come out on the other side just to shut down this law, just to shut down by this law.
Julie Menin
3:47:38
I'm gonna ask you to wrap up, please.
3:47:40
Thank you.
Richard Foster
3:47:40
Okay.
3:47:42
If it is the if the intention here was real is really about safety, you would draft and pass the law laying out safety standards that must be met in the industry instead of you are passing a law that impedes small businesses and puts thousands of people out of work.
3:47:58
Thank you.
3:48:00
Okay.
