Advocating for fairer wages and retirement benefits for every resident in New York City

Senator Robert Jackson: Advocating for Fair Wages and Stronger Labor Protections

State Senator Robert Jackson, a seasoned civil servant and union leader with over three decades of experience, is gearing up for another year of advocacy in New York. Representing the 31st Senate District, which encompasses parts of Manhattan's West Side, Washington Heights, and Inwood, Jackson is a familiar figure in the community, often spotted around the neighborhood.

Jackson chairs the Civil Service and Pensions Committee and is a member of the Labor Committee. His recent focus has been on pension reform, with an aim to reduce the vesting period from ten to five years and move the final average salary calculation from five years to three years.

In addition to pension reform, Jackson is deeply involved in committees that emphasize labor priorities, including the Education Committee, Statewide Education, and Higher Education. He is working on affordable housing issues within the Housing and Buildings Committee.

One of Jackson's key initiatives is the establishment of two job centers in New York City over the next two years. These centers are designed to help low-wage workers find jobs with prevailing wages and will be operational by 2026-2027.

Jackson is also prioritizing deeper reforms of Tier 6, with a focus on stronger apprenticeship pipelines, particularly for youth and underserved communities. He is advocating for laws that would increase the minimum wage for food service workers, prevent wage theft, ensure workers get paid for losses, and require a good reason for firing private-sector employees.

Notably, Jackson is not just focusing on unionized workers. He is working to communicate with low-wage workers about job opportunities, regardless of their union status. His efforts aim to provide opportunities for citizens and green card holders to earn a living wage.

In his pursuit of fair wages and stronger labor protections, Jackson is also working to protect public employees' collective bargaining rights from being overridden by existing civil service laws.

On Thursday, Senator Robert Jackson will deliver a keynote speech at City & State's Labor Power 100 event, underscoring his commitment to advocating for fair wages, stronger labor protections, and access to benefits for non-unionized low-wage workers.

Advocating for fairer wages and retirement benefits for every resident in New York City