NYSRA Lobbies NYC Council in Opposition to Paid Vacation Mandate
NYSRA, together with business industry allies, met with seven New York City Council Members over the last week to express our deep concern regarding the direct and administrative costs associated with requiring businesses to provide paid vacation.
Appearing as a united front, we reminded City Council that these proposals cannot be considered in a vacuum, but rather in the context of the unfriendly business climate caused by recent increases in minimum wage, sick leave requirements, predictive scheduling, rising rents, commercial property taxes, and constantly growing regulation. We strongly urged City Council not to move forward with this mandate, and to instead focus on how to aid storefront businesses in their survival. Additional meetings with City Council Members will be held on an ongoing basis, and we will keep you updated on our efforts and any developments with this legislation.
You Can Help, Sign Our Petition
As we continue to push back against this costly mandate we need your help! Sign our online
petition
to show the City Council that businesses around the City are against this proposal.
State Lawmakers to Introduce Grease Trap Bill
Rochester area Assemblymembers Harry Bronson and Jamie Romeo have publicly said that they plan on introducing legislation aimed at enhancing the safety measures surrounding grease traps. This legislation is in response to the tragic death of a toddler after the child fell into a grease trap outside of a Rochester area Tim Horton's.
While we have yet to see the official bill language, the main goals of the proposal seem to center around the elimination of plastic coverings for traps as well as increasing signage around these areas. The rumored bill would also require that all grease traps be secured with a locking mechanism and include a provision for annual inspections.
The NYS Restaurant Association Government Affairs team will track this legislation and provide meaningful updates on any legislation that may advance next year.
