ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – The Senate Democratic Majority on Monday advanced legislation to stand up for workers in New York State. This package will enact the “NY Hero Act,” sponsored by Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris, which requires the creation of health and safety standards for COVID-19 and other airborne infectious diseases in the workplace.
This package also includes legislation to encourage employer use of shared work programs to avoid layoffs and legislation to increase the amount of shared work benefits to the maximum allowed by federal law. Also, these bills will promote career paths into healthcare, permit employee time off for vaccination appointments, and grant an enhanced death benefit to families of deceased public employees.
“To address the health and economic impacts of COVID-19, we must protect and support a strong workforce,” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. “Workers across the state have shown incredible selflessness and perseverance throughout the pandemic, and this legislation is a step in recognizing and addressing their sacrifices. I commend my colleagues in the Senate Majority for sponsoring this legislation that will have a positive impact on so many hardworking New Yorkers.”
To read the full article, visit News 10