By Ross Barkan 4/17 5:29pm

Saying No to Vito

vito-lopez2

Vito Lopez Says He’s Unfazed by Planned Protest Against Him

His opponents have announced a protest outside of his first City Council fund-raiser tomorrow, but Assemblyman Vito Lopez told Politicker he’s not rattled by their efforts.

“It seems like they’re putting a lot of time and energy into preventing me from running, even though I haven’t yet decided to run,” Mr. Lopez, the ex-Brooklyn Democratic Party boss facing allegations that he repeatedly sexually harassed staffers, explained earlier today. “You wonder–they’re a reform group–why would they want to spend energy to prevent somebody from running in an election? That doesn’t seem like reform.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 11/29/12 12:54pm

have it your way

(Photo: Getty)

Mayoral Candidates Back NYC’s Fast-Food Strikers

At several New York fast-food restaurants today, workers have walked off the job to protest what they feel are corporate efforts to stifle their unionization efforts. At locations like McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Domino’s, Taco Bell across the city, workers are angling for higher wages in what they say is the first multi-restaurant fast-food strike in American history. And several of the leading candidates for mayor, all Democrats, want everyone to know they have the strikers’ back.

“I support New York’s fast-food workers’ demand for decent wages they can live on to support families, pay bills and put food on the table,” Council Speaker Christine Quinn said in a statement. “Fast-food companies are some of the wealthiest in America, yet many of their employees earn far below the federal poverty level. These business practices are unacceptable. All working New Yorkers deserve a living wage and the opportunity to join the middle class. I am behind the city’s fast-food workers who are standing up for this right and fighting for fair pay and an economy that works for everyone.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 9/20/12 4:38pm

foreseeable days! foreseeable weeks!

jumaane ows

Occupy’s Biggest Council Fan Is Concerned, But Still a Believer

Councilman Jumaane Williams has been a proud supporter of Occupy Wall Street since the early days of the movement last year. He proudly pins his Occupy button on his suit even for formal interviews and rather freely shouts “All day, all week! Occupy Wall Street!” when around activists. However, the Occupy movement isn’t what it once was. Notably, the crowds are far smaller while the movement’s message still remains muddled to many outside observers. We asked Mr. Williams about the state of Occupy after he hosted a press conference earlier today on voter confusion. Read More

By Christine Chen 7/25/12 4:08pm

$7.25

The scene from yesterday's protest. (Photo: Christine Chen)

Low-Wage Protesters Rally and Rumble in Union Square [Video]

With horns honking, drums pounding, cowbells jangling and even a mariachi-esque band playing, a diverse group of organizations gathered in Union Square in the late afternoon yesterday to protest low wages as part of the New York Workers Rising Day of Action.

30 groups–including the Utility Workers Union of America, Make the Road New York, Local 338, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union–mingled together united in their discontent. The last time wages had been raised was three years ago to the day.

“Is the product worth more than the worker?” the speaker hollered into the crowd. Read More