On September 6, at the New York City rally in support of the DREAMers and as a response to the announcement by Donald Trump that he will repeal DACA, Stuart Appelbaum, President of the RWDSU delivered remarks to a crowd of labor members, activists, and advocacy groups, sending a message to Trump and Congress that New York City will protect the rights of hard working New Yorkers and will fight back and protect immigrants across the country.

RWDSU members joined thousands of other New Yorkers outside of Trump Hotel on New York City’s Central Park to rally and march to Trump Tower on fifth Avenue to support DACA. DACA – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals - allows undocumented immigrants who come to the United States as children, also known as Dreamers, temporary work permits and protects them from deportation if they submit biometric data to the government, pass a background check and maintain a clean record. The program has provided temporary status and work permits to roughly 800,000 immigrants since its inception in 2012. In New York state, 42,000 people have benefited, according to community group Make The Road New York. It’s helping students and workers give back to their communities and pursue their dreams.

A new three-year contract for Local 835 members at Bunny Bread increases wages for Shipping Clerks and Drivers by two percent annually and maintains their health insurance. With the employee contribution remaining the same for the life of the agreement, the company will be absorbing a five percent increase in year three. The contract also protects workers’ pensions, and adds a fifth year of vacation after 20 years of service. Holiday pay will also be increased for drivers.

Workers at Sodexo, a maintenance company with a contract at Attleboro High School in Massachusetts, have ratified a new three-year contract with big gains. The Local 875 members will see big pay increases of 15-22 percent over the course of the agreement.