Just in time for the holidays, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has struck down bipartisan legislation aimed at helping employees at Stewart International Airport. The State Senate had approved the bill with a 61-0 vote earlier this year, but it mysteriously sat on Hochul’s desk until after the election.
“With the stroke of a pen, Governor Hochul – following in the footsteps of her predecessor – has once again stripped these workers of necessary support in the workplace,” declared Senator James Skoufis. “That’s one hell of a holiday present.” Skoufis was referring to disgraced ex-Governor Andrew Cuomo, who resigned amid a slew of scandals after showing disdain for the public.
The bill would have added Stewart Airport into existing legislation that already covers the region’s other airports, allowing workers to receive comparable health benefits and pay. Hochul’s fellow Democrats who supported the proposed bill are now accusing her of being anti-worker.
“With this veto, Governor Hochul told the Hudson Valley we aren’t equals with New York City where JFK and LaGuardia are covered by this law,” Skoufis observed. “We deserve better.”
Although Hochul has continuously claimed to support the workforce and to provide improved healthcare for her citizens, she shockingly vetoed the legislation that was pushed by her fellow Democrats.
Skoufis introduced the legislation in early 2021. It passed the Senate on May 23, 2022, after every single member of the Senate agreed it was a good idea.
Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson, sponsored the legislation in the State Assembly. The bill was overwhelming approved on June 3, 2022.
Skoufis, Jacobson, and Hochul are all Democrats.
The legislation would have included the workforce at Stewart Airport in the Healthy Terminals Act, which was aimed at reducing turnover and enhancing health and safety among workers.
Stewart Airport workers would have been able to receive prevailing wages consistent with the Labor Law, thus providing a more developed and trained workforce. The employees would have received wages, health care, and other benefits, based on their job classification and region.
Skoufis added, “Today’s veto by Governor Hochul of my bill to extend a supplement to help the underpaid, hardworking men and women of Stewart International Airport pay for their healthcare premiums is shameful. As the one and only Port Authority airport not covered by this benefit in the Health Terminals Act – the very issue my legislation sought to address – workers at Stewart Airport have been deprived of the respect they deserve.”
Skoufis also called Hochul “anti-worker.” The stunning accusation comes after Hochul has already drawn fire from both sides of the political isle for her pro-crime agenda. Last week, Hochul oddly used her veto powers to strike down a bipartisan bill intended to help fight the deadly fentanyl crisis plaguing New York State (story here). Since taking office, she has been under attack by Republicans and Democrats alike for her pro-crime stance. Now, they are beginning to question her anti-workforce stance.
“After toiling day in and day out on the front lines throughout the pandemic, airport employees deserve, at bare minimum, a living wage and health coverage,” Skoufis continued. “Instead, New York is offering them another year of workplace anxiety.”
