New York’s human service staff are the spine of our state. Every single day, they run shelters, help seniors, care for youngsters, and supply crucial providers to households in disaster and folks with psychological well being wants. But, regardless of their important function, they’re persistently underpaid, undervalued, and struggling to make ends meet. Governor Hochul’s proposed 2.1% cost-of-living adjustment in her government funds proposal falls far brief of what’s wanted to help this workforce and the organizations they maintain.
To place this into perspective: For a nonprofit employee in New York Metropolis incomes the median wage of $55,000—and plenty of make far much less—the proposed adjustment quantities to only $22 additional per week earlier than taxes. That hardly covers a every day subway experience, a cup of espresso and a bagel. It definitely gained’t assist with hovering hire, grocery payments, or childcare prices that maintain rising each month.
This modest improve doesn’t mirror the worth of a workforce that’s overwhelmingly women-led and majority Black and Brown. These staff risked their lives in the course of the pandemic, preserving our communities afloat, guaranteeing that our most susceptible neighbors had been housed and fed. Right now, they’re on the frontlines managing the fallout from federal immigration crackdowns, supporting seniors, and counseling these going through a rising affordability disaster – usually whereas struggling to afford their very own fundamental wants.
That’s why we accepted the We Can’t Wait problem – residing for every week on simply $20 a day, the take-home, post-rent pay of the common human service employee in New York State. That is what they’re anticipated to outlive on, whereas they dedicate their lives to caring for others. It’s not sustainable. It’s not truthful. And it’s not the way in which New York ought to deal with its important workforce.
The Human Providers Council, which represents 170 nonprofit organizations, is looking for a 7.8% cost-of-living adjustment to make sure that these staff are paid pretty and that the organizations offering these providers stay viable. The fee? Simply 0.24% of the state’s funds – lower than 1 / 4 of a penny for each greenback spent. Within the Senate and Meeting, we’re preventing to make sure that our colleagues and the Governor acknowledge the urgency of this problem and take motion.
Yearly, Albany leaders categorical appreciation for human service staff, but when it’s time to behave, the funding usually falls brief. In consequence, nonprofit suppliers are in disaster. Organizations are struggling to retain workers as a result of staff can’t survive on low wages, forcing layoffs and repair cuts that put numerous New Yorkers in danger. In the meantime, the Governor’s present funds proposal doesn’t absolutely tackle the cost-of-living disaster these staff face day-after-day. Belief us, we tried to expertise their actuality firsthand by residing on simply $20 a day. It was eye-opening and heartbreaking, and underscored simply how unimaginable it’s for staff to make ends meet underneath these circumstances.
This isn’t solely about equity, it’s additionally about justice. A failure to offer a significant wage adjustment will solely push extra Black and Brown girls deeper into monetary insecurity. Governor Hochul has spoken about closing the gender pay hole – right here’s a chance to take significant motion by supporting the 800,000 human service staff who’re holding New York collectively.
There’s nonetheless time to get this proper. It’s usually mentioned that the state funds is an ethical doc – it displays our collective values and priorities. If New York really values the individuals who look after our communities, the Governor should be part of us and spend money on getting them the truthful pay they deserve.
