Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. joined Living Wage NYC, New York City Council Member Oliver Koppell, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store (RWDSU, UFCW) President Stuart Appelbaum, New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, New York City Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio, New York City Comptroller John C. Liu, and other elected officials on the steps of City Hall for a press conference immediately before the “Fair Wages for New Yorkers” Act came to a vote before the City Council.
The press conference culminates a historic two-year campaign that created a citywide living wage movement that sets the standards for nationwide policies: the final Living Wage Bill. The City council’s vote reflects the voices of the 74% of New Yorkers who are in favor of bill according to poll results released by Quinnipiac University in December.