(NEW YORK CITY) - Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a package of legislation to support, protect and expand benefits for New York Workers.

Governor Hochul signed legislation (S4982/A6604) to prohibit employers from disciplining Employees that opt not to participate in meetings about the employer’s political or religious views.

The Governor also signed legislation (S2832-A/A154-A) to make wage theft a form of larceny and allow prosecutors to seek stronger criminal penalties against employers who steal wages from Workers.

And the Governor also signed legislation (S1161-A/A2034-A) to increase the minimum benefits for Workers' Compensation to better protect low wage Workers who are injured and cannot work.

Governor Hochul said: “This legislation will help to ensure that all New Yorkers receive the benefits and protections that allow them to ‘work with dignity.’  My Administration is committed to making our State ‘the most Worker-Friendly State in the Nation,’ and I thank the bill sponsors for their partnership in our mission to establish the strongest and most robust protections right here in New York.”

To Continue Reading This Labor News Report, Including Comments From New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento, New York State Building & Construction Trades Council Gary LaBarbera and New York City AFL-CIO Central Labor Council President Vincent Alvarez, Go To: Governor Hochul Signs Legislation to Support Workers by Protecting Employees From Mandatory Political and Religious Meetings, Strengthening Wage Theft Penalties, and Increasing Benefits for Injured Workers | Governor Kathy Hochul (ny.gov)