FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 11, 2017

Contact: Chelsea Connor | cconnor@rwdsu.org | 347-866-6259

NY GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES FORTHCOMING SCHEDULING HEARINGS

On September 9, before the Labor Day Parade, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo directed the Commissioner of Labor to schedule public hearings on employee scheduling concerns. The New York State Department of Labor will hold these hearings to solicit public comment on how best to address what's known as "just-in-time," "call-in" or "on-call" scheduling, common practices that allow employers to schedule or cancel workers' shifts just hours before or even after it starts. 

The RWDSU has been a leading voice against on-call scheduling and the devastating effect it has on the lives of workers.

Stuart Appelbaum, President, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, said, "On-call scheduling is devastating for retail workers. You need to put your life on hold and be available for work - regardless of whether you will be called-in or paid. If you are a part-time worker, the uncertainty of your schedule means you can't arrange for a needed second job. If you are a parent, you don't know if you are going to need child care. If you want to continue your schooling, you can't sign up for classes without knowing your availability. Today's action by Governor Cuomo will help to create another layer of protections for workers and ensure that workers will gain more control over their own lives and their ability to earn a living."

Before regulations are formally advanced, the New York State Department of Labor will solicit input from workers and industry professionals on how best to ensure that workers can better predict their schedules and are compensated when subjected to just in-time/on-call scheduling practices.