NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Step-Up Louisiana advocates filled the council chambers on Tuesday morning to support an amendment to enhance worker rights in the city’s home rule charter.
Advocates call it the Workers’ Bill of Rights. “It’s basically a value statement on what the city believes in and what the city believes the people of New Orleans deserve,” said Legislative Coordinator for Step-Up Louisiana Britain Forsyth.
If passed, the amendment would add the right to fair living wages, equal pay, comprehensive healthcare coverage, paid leave and safe workplaces to Article II, Section 2-202 of the Home Rule Charter. Passage would also create a Healthy Workplace designation for businesses meeting the Bill of Rights criteria.
David Williams, a Dollar Store employee and Step-Up Louisiana member, said, “It affects everybody who’s a worker. All who put blood, sweat and tears into this city. We all deserve a fair pay, a fair way to live, a fair way to survive and thrive.”
But their mission goes beyond pay. Supporters argue that low-income workers often lack health benefits, forcing them to choose between medical care and lost wages.
Step-Up Louisiana calls it a public health crisis, citing a study that attributes a 20-year life expectancy gap between New Orleans’ most affluent white and the poorest Black neighborhoods. They cite poverty wages, union busting and the absence of health insurance and paid time off are damaging workers’ health and reducing life expectancies.
While only council members Helena Moreno and JP Morrell were present for the presentation, all seven members cosigned the amendment.
The council will vote on the amendment at Thursday’s regular council meeting. If approved, voters will have their say on the November ballot.
Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.