Statement of New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento on passage of NY HERO Act

Albany, NY – “Every day working people have gone above and beyond to carry us through the pandemic, and for too many of them the cost has been their own health and even death. The least we can do as a state is help ensure that their employers take every reasonable measure necessary to keep them safe on the job.

“This pandemic has exposed the weaknesses in workplace safety. The NY HERO Act changes that by ensuring workers have a safe working environment now, and just as important, for future communicable disease events.

“It establishes vital standards related to workplace protocols including providing proper safety and personal protective equipment, as well as proper ventilation and social distancing requirements to protect workers and the public.

“We thank the Democratic Majorities in both houses and the bill sponsors, Senator Mike Gianaris and Assemblymember Karines Reyes for making workplace health and safety a priority, particularly now during the pandemic.”