By Michael V. Cusenza
The City Council Common Sense Caucus on Thursday led a rally for unvaccinated City workers on the steps of City Hall.
Nearly a hundred civil service employees, healthcare workers, and their supporters turned out, rallying in support of Resolution 5—a resolution seeking to support S7466-A in the State Legislature, which would allow workers fired for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine to return to work without first signing any waivers forfeiting back-pay.
“Today’s resolution will seek to bring long-overdue justice for countless city employees,” Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park), a member of the Common Sense Caucus, said after Thursday’s rally. “These people have been out of work for much too long. It is due time that they return to the jobs they love.”
Photo Courtesy of Council Common Sense Caucus
Nearly a hundred supporters turned out for Thursday’s rally.
Ariola added on Twitter, “Today, I am introducing Resolution 5, which is seeking to right this wrong and ensure that our city workers can get back to their jobs without first having to sign any waivers that would forfeit their back pay. This Resolution is supporting a larger initiative in Albany to get our workers back to their jobs, and would help to finally close this dark chapter in our history once and for all.”
Councilwoman Vickie Paladino (R-Whitestone), a member of the Common Sense Caucus, added, “I have been beating this drum for over two years now
and I’m proud to co-sponsor Reso 5, a resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the governor to sign, S. 7466-A, and a companion bill, to reinstate New York City employees who were terminated due to non-compliance with the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. This legislation is a crucial step in making amends to the disastrous polices of the COVID-era and I look forward to seeing my colleagues in Council embrace this legislation.”
