Tompkins County Workers Center Inc

THE MISSION OF THE TOMPKINS COUNTY WORKERS' CENTER IS TO STAND UP WITH ALL PEOPLE TREATED UNFAIRLY AT WORK.

THE COMMUNITY WORKER ORGANIZING PROGRAM PROVIDES RESOURCES FOR WORKERS AS THEY DEVELOP, SHARE AND EXERCISE SKILLS TO ENGAGE IN WORKPLACE CONCERTED ACTIONS OR OTHER GOOD FAITH ACTIONS TO IMPROVE THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR OTHERS. THE WORKERS' CENTER SEEKS TO EMPOWER PEOPLE WHO WISH TO "RENEGOTIATE THE SOCIAL CONTRACT" IN WAYS THAT BUILD CULTURES OF RESPECT AND REASONABLE COMPENSATION IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR LABOR. WHEN WE'RE CONTACTED BY SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO ORGANIZE WITH OTHERS IN THEIR WORKPLACE, WE PROVIDE INFORMATION, GUIDANCE, SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO ASSIST THEM IN ACCOMPLISHING THEIR GOALS. THE WORKERS' CENTER ALSO WORKS WITH LOCAL AND REGIONAL LABOR UNIONS TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF WORKERS' RIGHTS TO DEMOCRATIC DETERMINATION AROUND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND TO INFLUENCE EMPLOYERS TO RESPECT UNION MEMBERS' RIGHTS. THE WORKERS' CENTER'S PHYSICAL OFFICES ARE A SHARED WORK AND MEETING SPACE FOR OTHER SMALL NON-PROFITS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ORIENTED ASSOCIATIONS. DUE TO THE ONGOING COVID PANDEMIC, WE INSTITUTED AND ENFORCED STRICT SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR STAFF/SUB-LESSORS WHO NEEDED TO COME INTO THE OFFICE WHEN THEY WERE UNABLE TO WORK OR MEET REMOTELY. TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF STAFF, SUB-LESSORS, OTHER GROUPS AND CLIENTS SEEKING OUR SERVICES, WE CONTINUED OUR ORGANIZING WORK REMOTELY THROUGH PHONE AND VIRTUAL MEETINGS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

THE LIVING WAGE ADVOCACY PROGRAM EDUCATES THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING AND THE CHALLENGE TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY THAT LOW WAGE EARNERS FACE WITHOUT A LIVING WAGE. THIS PROGRAM PROMOTES DEVELOPMENT OF A SOCIAL CONTRACT THAT ALL WORKING PEOPLE DESERVE A LIVABLE WAGE IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR LABOR. OUR CERTIFIED LIVING WAGE EMPLOYER PROGRAM RECOGNIZES ANY ENTERPRISE THAT VOLUNTARILY PAYS ALL EMPLOYEES AT LEAST A LIVING WAGE. THE LIVING WAGE FOR TOMPKINS COUNTY, WHERE TCWC IS LOCATED, INCREASED DURING OUR FY21-22. CONSEQUENTLY SOME PREVIOUS LW EMPLOYERS WERE UNABLE TO INCREASE WAGES AT THE TIME AND LOST THEIR CERTIFIED STATUS. HOWEVER, WE DID CERTIFY 12 NEW LIVING WAGE EMPLOYERS BETWEEN 7/1/2021 TO 6/30/2022. AS OF 6/30/2022, 122 GOVERNMENT, NON-PROFIT AND FOR-PROFIT EMPLOYERS HAD EARNED CERTIFICATION. WE HAVE BEEN ONGOINGLY ENGAGED IN A CAMPAIGN TO INCREASE THE LOCAL MINIMUM WAGE TO A LIVING WAGE.

ANY PERSON WHO FEELS THEY MAY HAVE RECEIVED UNFAIR OR ILLEGAL TREATMENT AT WORK MAY CONTACT THE WORKERS' RIGHTS HOTLINE BY PHONE, EMAIL OR SOCIAL MEDIA. DUE TO THE COVID PANDEMIC, WE CONTINUED TO PROVIDE OUR HOTLINE SERVICES PRIMARILY BY PHONE AND VIDEO MEETINGS. MOST USERS OF THE HOTLINE ARE RESIDENTS OF TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY, AND THE SURROUNDING FINGERLAKES AND SOUTHERN TIER REGIONS. WORKER ADVOCATES FOR THE HOTLINE EDUCATE WORKERS ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AT WORK AND ORGANIZING OR COMMUNICATION SKILLS THAT HELP USERS BECOME BETTER ADVOCATES FOR THEMSELVES OR OTHERS, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON BUILDING A WORKFORCE WITH GREATER SELF AGENCY AND KNOWLEDGE OF RIGHTS. THE WORKERS' CENTER MAY ACT AS A MEDIATOR TO HELP RESOLVE CONFLICTS OR HELP WORKERS PREPARE COMPLAINTS TO REGULATORY AGENCIES WHEN NECESSARY. HOTLINE ADVOCATES ENCOURAGE CONCERTED ACTION BETWEEN CO-WORKERS WHENEVER POSSIBLE AND MAY PROVIDE INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES AND HELP COORDINATE COMMUNITY SUPPORT WHEN WORKERS' SEEK TO ORGANIZE A UNION. THE HOTLINE SERVED 312 PEOPLE BETWEEN 7/1/2021 - 6/30/2022.