(ALBANY, NEW YORK) – Non-profit organizations and Elected Officials rallied in Albany earlier this week to push for legislation that would enact a higher Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for Human Services Workers - and also establish a Wage Board to address pay disparities between the Non-Profit and Public Sectors.

The Human Services Council, University Settlement, Catholic Charities and other members of the #JustPay Campaign joined the rally.

Many of the 800,000 Workers across New York State who help the homeless and low-income individuals themselves live in poverty or close to it with about one in five Human Services Workers receiving food stamps in 2021, according to the Human Services Council.

Across the State, about two-thirds of Human Services Sector Workers are Women and 57% are Women of Color, according to the campaign.

The advocates argue Non-Profits are often underfunded by the State, contributing to the low wages.

Last year, Governor Kathy Hochul instituted a 4% COLA for Workers in designated Human Services Programs, but this year, just a 1.5% COLA has been proposed.

The advocates are calling for a 3.2% COLA for Workers in an even wider range of programs.

“Non-Profit Workers are united, organized and ready to make their voices heard this budget season," said Michelle Jackson, who serves as the Human Services Council’s Executive Director.

“Coalitions across the State - groups serving people with developmental disabilities, Mental Health Professionals, Homeless Service Providers, aging services, and more - are all pushing for a COLA Adjustment because they want to put Workers first,” Jackson said.

To Continue Reading This Labor News Report, Go To: Nonprofit human services workers push for parity - The Chief (thechiefleader.com)