New York City Council
Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection
Jan 21, 2025
·
01:00 PM
44 min
Summary
A hearing on two worker protection bills:
- Intro 1081, which would require the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) to confirm receipt of Fair Workweek complaints within 30 days
- Intro 780, which would expand paid sick leave to cover more caregiving needs
Discussions focused on:
- Complaint resolution times
- Notification practices for workers and employers
- The expansion of worker protections
The hearing also covered DCWP's budget and resources, enforcement statistics, and potential modifications to the proposed legislation.
Features testimony from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), worker advocacy organizations, industry representatives, and the public.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Council Member Julie Menin opens hearing on worker protection bills
Council Member Julie Menin, chair of the committee on consumer and worker protection, opens the legislative hearing on Introductions 780 and 1081. She provides background on the Fair Workweek law's …
0:00:29
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127 sec
Introduction and overview of the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga introduces herself and her colleagues from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). She provides a brief overview of DCWP's role in enforcing protections and …
0:03:32
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66 sec
DCWP's role as a central resource for workers in New York City
The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) serves as the primary resource and advocate for workers in New York City. The department enforces key municipal workplace laws to provide …
0:04:39
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26 sec
New York City's Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law
Commissioner Mayuga discusses the Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law (PSSL), a cornerstone workplace law in New York City. This law ensures that workers can take paid time off for …
0:05:08
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47 sec
Fair Workweek Law and its enforcement
Commissioner Mayuga explains the Fair Workweek law and DCWP's enforcement efforts. This law aims to provide workers with greater job and income stability by prohibiting irregular and unpredictable scheduling practices. …
0:05:55
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67 sec
DCWP's education and outreach efforts
Commissioner Mayuga highlights DCWP's proactive outreach and education efforts to ensure New Yorkers are aware of their rights under various workplace laws. These efforts complement the department's strong enforcement actions. …
0:07:04
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39 sec
DCWP's support for Introduction 780
Commissioner Mayuga expresses DCWP's support for Introduction 780, which would expand the reasons workers can use paid safe and sick time. The bill aims to provide more flexibility for workers …
0:07:43
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87 sec
DCWP's stance on Introduction 1081
Commissioner Mayuga discusses Introduction 1081, which would set timelines for DCWP to notify complainants and employers about Fair Workweek complaints. While DCWP supports the intent, they have some concerns about …
0:09:11
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50 sec
Conclusion and openness to questions
Commissioner Mayuga concludes her testimony by thanking the committee for the opportunity to speak about DCWP's work and the proposed legislation. She reaffirms DCWP's commitment to protecting workers and ensuring …
0:10:02
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20 sec
Fair Workweek complaint statistics for recent years
Council Member Menin inquires about recent Fair Workweek complaint statistics from DCWP. Commissioner Mayuga and Assistant Commissioner Ortiz provide data and context for complaint numbers in recent years. - DCWP …
0:10:23
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100 sec
Fair Workweek complaint resolution times and improvements
DCWP officials discuss the time taken to resolve Fair Workweek complaints and the improvements made in processing speed. - In 2024, it took an average of 87 days to close …
0:12:03
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26 sec
Paid Safe and Sick Leave complaint statistics for 2024
DCWP Commissioner Mayuga provides statistics on Paid Safe and Sick Leave complaints for 2024. - DCWP received 436 complaints related to Paid Safe and Sick Leave in 2024 - It …
0:12:30
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66 sec
Strategies to reduce complaint resolution time
Commissioner Mayuga discusses various factors affecting complaint resolution time and strategies to improve efficiency. - Resolution times are trending downward for both Fair Workweek and Paid Safe and Sick Leave …
0:13:38
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142 sec
DCWP budget and new resources in the January plan
Commissioner Mayuga discusses new resources allocated to DCWP in the January budget plan. - DCWP is receiving new resources in the January plan - The new resources are specifically for …
0:16:01
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62 sec
Discussion of Intro 1081 and worker notification practices
Council Member Menin and Commissioner Mayuga discuss the proposed Intro 1081 and current practices for notifying workers about their complaints. - DCWP supports codifying the 30-day worker notification requirement into …
0:17:04
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155 sec
Employer notification practices and concerns with Intro 1081
Commissioner Mayuga explains DCWP's approach to notifying employers about complaints and concerns with mandating a specific timeframe for employer notification. - DCWP takes an education-first approach with businesses, offering various …
0:19:40
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176 sec
Additional resources needed by DCWP to implement new legislation
Commissioner Mayuga outlines the additional resources DCWP would need to implement the proposed legislation. - For Intro 780: DCWP anticipates needing 2 inspectors, 1 attorney, and 1 outreach associate - …
0:22:36
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37 sec
Council Member Sandy Nurse inquires about DCWP's outreach and education efforts for worker protection laws
Council Member Sandy Nurse asks the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) about their outreach and education efforts for worker protection laws, specifically the temporary change law and ESTA …
0:23:25
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3 min
Council Member Brewer questions DCWP on private right of action and paid safe and sick leave expansion
Council Member Gale A. Brewer engages in a Q&A session with DCWP officials, focusing on the implementation of private right of action and the proposed expansion of paid safe and …
0:26:31
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163 sec
Testimony by Shyamala Ramakrishna, Legal Fellow at A Better Balance
Shyamala Ramakrishna from A Better Balance testified in support of Intro 780, which would expand paid sick leave to include caregiving needs. She emphasized the importance of this legislation in …
0:31:23
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142 sec
Testimony by Kathleen Irwin, NYC Government Affairs Manager of New York State Restaurant Association on Fair Workweek Law and Intro 1081
Kathleen Irwin, representing the New York State Restaurant Association, testified on the Fair Workweek Law and Intro 1081. She criticized DCWP's current enforcement practices and expressed support for Intro 1081 …
0:33:50
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131 sec
Testimony by Rebekah Cook-Mack, Staff Attorney at Legal Aid, on Intro 780
Rebekah Cook-Mack, representing Legal Aid and NELA, testified in support of Intro 780 with some modifications. She emphasized the importance of expanding the sick leave law to better protect workers …
0:36:13
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122 sec
Testimony by Christopher Leon Johnson, Member of the Public
Christopher Leon Johnson testified in support of Intro 780, but mainly focused on the need for protecting undocumented migrants when they file complaints with the Department of Consumer and Worker …
0:38:43
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123 sec