Workers

NYC Transit Riders and Workers File Lawsuit Against MTA Following Gov. Hochul’s Congestion Pricing Pause

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New York City, NY – A new lawsuit spearheaded by city officials and a prominent transport workers union is taking aim at the Metropolitan Transportation Finished Authority (MTA), challenging the consequences of Governor Kathy Hochul’s abrupt suspension of the city’s congestion pricing scheme. This legal action, led by New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, and Transport Workers Union of America Local 100, claims that the suspension has triggered unjustified cuts to bus services, affecting thousands of commuters. Scheduled to initiate on June 30, the congestion pricing initiative was anticipated to … Read more

Philadelphia City Workers Return to Office Full-Time as Judge Denies Union’s Plea Against Mayor’s Mandate

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Philadelphia, PA – Thousands of Philadelphia’s municipal workers have resumed full-time, in-person work following a legal ruling. The court decision denied a union’s motion to halt a mandate by Mayor Cherelle Parker, which ordered the shift back to office settings. The mandate had been challenged by District Council 47 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents around 6,000 administrative and supervisory staff. The union had argued that Mayor Parker’s order violated existing contracts and could potentially harm city employees. In addition to the lawsuit, the union has lodged an unfair-practices … Read more

Sean Baker Dedicates Palme d’Or Victory to Sex Workers with ‘Anora’, Spotlighting Prejudice and Hope in Cinema

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Cannes, France – At the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, a myriad of voices from the global film community echoed a resounding shift toward inclusivity and recognition of unconventional narratives. Sean Baker, who clinched the Palme d’Or for his film “Anora,” dedicated his award to sex workers, hoping the film broadens public perception and acceptance of their lives, underscoring the film’s potential to challenge societal prejudices. Baker expressed his aspiration for “Anora” to reach a wider audience through mainstream cinema channels, emphasizing the importance of visibility for films that illuminate underrepresented communities. This theme of visibility … Read more

Philadelphia Jury Awards $68.5 Million in Landmark Case Against Construction Firm for Worker’s Fatal Fall

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Philadelphia, PA — A Philadelphia jury has awarded $68.5 million in damages to the family of a construction worker who died after a fall at a luxury townhouse development site in the city’s Fitler Square area. The worker, identified as 38-year-old Siarhei Marhunou, succumbed to injuries sustained from a fall from an unsecured fifth-floor balcony in December 2021. The substantial verdict came after a contentious trial that cast a spotlight on what attorneys described as significant safety oversights by OCF Construction LLC, the general contractor helmed by developer Ori Feibush. Marhunou’s family, represented by lawyers … Read more