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 GROUP WORK SPACE FOR SEVERAL SMALL NON-PROFITS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ORIENTED ASSOCIATIONS. ALTHOUGH OUR OFFICES REMAINED CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR DUE TO THE 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 REMOTELY. WHILE THE PANDEMIC MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK FACE-TO-FACE IN PERSON WITH CLIENTS AND OTHERS SEEKING OUR SERVICES, WE WERE STILL ABLE TO CONTINUE OUR ORGANIZING WORK REMOTELY THROUGH PHONE AND VIRTUAL MEETINGS.

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. TCWC CERTIFIED 11 NEW LIVING WAGE EMPLOYERS BETWEEN 7/1/2020 TO 6/30/2021. AS OF 6/30/2021, 127 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. OUR OFFICE REMAINED CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR DUE TO THE COVID PANDEMIC, AND SO WE WERE UNABLE TO ACCEPT ANY WALK-IN CLIENTS OR INQUIRIES; HOWEVER, WE CONTINUED TO PROVIDE OUR HOTLINE SERVICES 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 APPROXIMATELY 325 PEOPLE BETWEEN 7/1/2020 - 6/30/2021.

TOMPKINS COUNTY WORKERS' CENTER CONTRACTS WITH OTHER SMALL CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS WHO DO NOT HAVE THEIR OWN 501(C)3 DESIGNATION AND NEED A FISCAL SPONSOR IN ORDER TO SOLICIT AND RECEIVE TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THEIR WORK. WE ACCEPT DONATIONS AND/OR GRANTS TO SUPPORT THE MISSION AND ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATIONS WE SPONSOR, MAINTAIN THOSE FUNDS IN SEPARATE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND RESTRICTED ACCOUNTS IN OUR ACCOUNTING SYSTEM. WE TRACK ANY SPECIFIC DONOR RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE DONORS AND INFORM THE PROJECTS OF SUCH RESTRICTIONS AS APPROPRIATE. THE ORGANIZATIONS MAY REQUEST A PAYOUT OF FUNDS ON A MONTHLY BASIS BY SUBMITTING A WRITTEN REQUEST SPECIFYING HOW THE FUNDS ARE TO BE USED. AS LONG AS THE REQUEST IS CONSISTENT WITH CHARITABLE PURPOSES, SUPPORTS THEIR MISSION AND ADHERES TO ANY DONOR RESTRICTIONS, WE ISSUE A PAYMENT IN THE FORM OF A GRANT. EACH FISCALLY SPONSORED ORGANIZATION IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT, AT MINIMUM, AN ANNUAL REPORT LISTING THE FUNDS RECEIVED, HOW THE FUNDS WERE SPENT AND PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS WHICH IS THEN REVIEWED BY STAFF FOR COMPLIANCE. WE PROVIDE THESE SPONSORED ORGANIZATIONS WITH AN ANNUAL STATEMENT OF FUNDS RECEIVED, ANY DONOR RESTRICTIONS, AND GRANTS PAID OUT. WE ALSO PROVIDE OCCASIONAL REFERRALS AND MINIMAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AS NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE. TCWC CHARGES AN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE FOR THESE SERVICES. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE TWO REPORTABLE FISCALLY SPONSORED ORGANIZATIONS WE HAD DURING THE FISCAL YEAR CAN BE FOUND IN SCHEDULE I.