Our Perspective
Headline
A Historic Win
for New York
Farm Workers
By Stuart Appelbaum, President
Retail, Wholesale and Department
Store Union, UFCW
Twitter: @sappelbaum
For far too long, farm workers in New York have
been subject to discrimination, abuse, and
exploitation. They have reported enduring 70-
hour, seven-day work weeks without overtime pay.
They toil in extreme heat in the summer months, but are cruelly denied
adequate bathroom breaks or enough access to water. Farm workers often
are forced to venture into the fields in seek of relief, where they are
subjected to exposure to ticks and potentially hazardous chemicals. For
female farm workers, this can be even more dehumanizing, exposing more
of their bodies to these hazards, and even risking sexual harassment as they
undress to relieve themselves. Women in agricultural work are at increased
risk of uterine tract infections due to their exposure in the fields.
When workers suffer from injuries or health problems — dehydration,
cuts, broken limbs — they often find they are on their own, without
adequate medical care. When they seek out medical care, they pay out of
their own pockets. Rather than risk missing work and the income they
need to survive, many agricultural workers are forced to stay on the job
despite injuries.
These workers — largely immigrants - have suffered while toiling in
a multimillion-dollar industry that often uses their documentation status
as a tool to exploit and intimidate them. And, they’ve never been able to
seek out the best tool workers have to protect them; unions and
collective bargaining. Shockingly, under New York law, they were
forbidden from bargaining collectively and exercising the rights most
New Yorkers take for granted.
The RWDSU and a coalition including the NY AFL-CIO and others
fought hard to change that, and in 2019 secured the passage of the Farm
Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act, which finally gave countless farm and
agricultural workers the right to bargain collectively and create better
lives for themselves. And now, we are already seeing results.
A group of farm workers at Pindar Vineyards in Peconic, New York,
became the first farmworkers in the state to join a union when they
became members of RWDSU Local 338 in early October. Their historic
victory makes them the first group of agricultural workers to win a union
voice so they can negotiate a contract that will ensure better pay and
working conditions. These workers — who reported discrimination while
being treated far worse than the retail “tasting staff”- have seized the
opportunity to change their jobs and their lives by joining the RWDSU.
Countless farm workers in New York can look to this worker victory
as an inspiration and the first step toward changing their own lives. With
the labor movement at their side, New York’s farm workers can finally
exercise their right to join a union, and claim dignity, respect, and a voice
on a job. By bargaining collectively, they can begin to
address they many issues they face at work.
New York’s agricultural workers are entering
a new era, and the RWDSU will be with them
every step of the way. Fighting back against
exploitation and mistreatment with the power
of collective bargaining starts now.
www.rwdsu.org
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, O 62 CT. 15-21, 2021 BTR
RXR Realty breaks
ground on South Bronx
development
RXR Realty broke ground on Oct. 13, 2021, on its inaugural South Bronx development, a
future residential building located at 2413 Third Ave. Photo courtesy RXR Realty
RXR Realty (RXR), a leading real
estate owner, operator and developer
in the New York tri-state area,
broke ground Wednesday on its inaugural
South Bronx development,
a future residential building located
at 2413 Third Ave.
Situated next to the Third Avenue
Bridge and minutes from the
6 train, the 27-story, 200-unit tower
will designate 60 units as affordable
apartments for middle income
households. It will feature 81 on-site
enclosed parking spaces and electric
vehicle charging stations and 721
square-feet of retail space. The project
is slated for completion in 2023.
This summer, RXR and Bank of
America closed on a $75.2 million
construction loan to fund the development
of 2413 Third Ave.
“As the South Bronx continues to
grow, it is crucial to see increased
direct investment in affordable
housing to support vibrant neighborhoods
like Mott Haven,” said U.S.
Rep. Ritchie Torres. “I am proud to
celebrate the groundbreaking of
over 60 affordable units for middle
income households that will provide
stability and opportunity for Bronx
residents. I look forward to seeing
continued investment in affordable
housing in the South Bronx in order
to lift up working families.”
The building will feature an
open concept cafe and gallery space
on the ground fl oor, a state-of-theart
fi tness center, fl exible common
area, and electric vehicle charging
stations. Units will be equipped
with stainless steel appliances,
white oak fl ooring, matte black
iron fi xtures and subway tiling.
The 145,643-square-foot development
will also feature exterior amenity
areas, including landscaped
seating areas and lounges, rooftop
grilling, dining areas and a gaming
space. The tower is centrally located
within walking distance of the 4/5/6
transit lines and one block from the
Major Deegan Expressway.
-Bronx Times
/www.rwdsu.org
/www.rwdsu.org