ALBANY, NY (March 15, 2022)  — The Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic,& Asian Legislative Caucus today held a press conference to announce their support for the funding and enforcement of an automatic annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) on all human services contracts, a living wage floor of no less than $21 an hour for New York State funded human services workers, and a comprehensive wage and benefit schedule for government contracted human services workers comparable to the salaries made by City and State employees in the same field. The Caucus will stand with workers in the human services sector as well as advocates to ​​ensure fair compensation for their families that will help propel them into the middle-class.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has underscored our state’s dependence on essential and low-wage workers, many of whom are people of color. In fact, Human services workers are predominantly 66% women and 68% people of color. It is crucial that New York State guarantees these employees the quality wages and benefits that are commensurate with the vital functions that they serve.

New York State human services contracts either directly set low salary levels, or indirectly by establishing low rates for services along with required staffing levels on a contract. This dangerous practice has mandated low and stagnant wages. Earlier this year, the Caucus highlighted this issue as a priority in their annual People’s Budget document and have worked to ensure the addition of an annual COLA in the legislative one houses. This COLA must trickle down and apply to all workers.

“The Caucus will always stand with New York’s working class, and today’s press conference illustrates the deep and broad support of the Just Pay Campaign. This is a gender and racial justice issue. We are supportive of the inclusion of a $500 million COLA in the executive budget, and we need to ensure that these monies go out to all workers! It is crucial that New York State guarantees these employees’ wages and benefits that are proportional to the vital functions that they serve,” stated NYS Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, Chair of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus. 

“Despite the progress we have made, pay inequity persists in our state. No one should be paid less because of their race, gender, or orientation. As a person of color who was raised by a single mother, who was paid less than her male counterparts, this issue is personal to me. That is why I am proud to be co-sponsoring the “just pay” legislation and will advocate for its passage. New York workers are essential, and this is an opportunity for progress in the fight against inequality,” stated NYS Senator Jeremy Cooney.

"Ending poverty wages for government contracted human services workers is beyond overdue.Everyone deserves fair pay in return for their hard work.In one of the most progressive states in the country it is absolutely unacceptable that we still permit essential human services workers to be paid poverty wages, especially after they have supported communities on the frontlines throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We must do right by the over 800,000 human service workers in New York State and pass #JustPay now!"stated NYS Assemblymember Al Taylor.

"Human services workers play a critical role in ensuring that all New Yorkers have the resources they need. Unfortunately, many of them struggle financially due to low and inadequate pay. It is unacceptable. I am proud to join my colleagues in calling for better wages and benefits for human services workers, as they deserve our greatest thanks and appreciation for their tireless commitment to our communities," stated NYS Assemblymember Kenny Burgos.

"The Human Services Council of New York is thrilled to have the full support of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, & Asian Legislative Caucus for the Just Pay campaign. Human services workers are predominantly women and people of color, so the support of the caucus is crucial for advancing our cause. We need human services workers, and they need #JustPay. We look forward to working with the caucus in ensuring that New York’s human services workers are fairly compensated for their essential work," stated Na'ilah Amaru, Director of Policy and Campaigns for the Human Services Council.