Maria for Mayor | Accomplishments | Labor

Maria's Accomplishments

Labor Rights

FIGHTING FOR LABOR RIGHTS

Maria grew up in a large working-class family, so labor issues are personal to her. The labor movement is a foundational pillar in the movement for eco nomic, racial, and social justice. Her parents worked the graveyard shift as janitors at Temple University. Their access to aunion changed their lives.

PHILADELPHIA 21ST CENTURY MINIMUM

Increases the minimum wage to $15 for all City of Philadelphia employees and authorized contractors. (Bill No. 180846, 190102).

Airport Workers’ Wages

Maria joined with SEIU, POWER, UNITE HERE! and airport workers for a years-long campaign to force all airport jobs to comply with Philadelphia’s living wage standards. Their fight ultimately won higher wages and job protections, lifting thousands of predominantly black and brown workers out of poverty.

BLACK WORKERS MATTER PACKAGE

Philadelphia’s standard-bearing protections for historically diverse hospitality industry provides that employers must recall and retain existing workers before hiring new ones.

Essential Workers Protection Act

Protects workers from retaliation for speaking out about work conditions that violate mandatory health orders during the pandemic

THE MUNICIPAL ID PROGRAM

Photo ID is essential for modern life, so Maria fought to help all Philadelphians can access essential services with a secure and affordable photo ID. Launched in 2019, PHL City ID has provided over 20,000 Philadelphians with secure ID as well as access to cardholder benefits, discounts, and memberships. (Bill No. 160151)

Sick Leave

Maria helped lead the passage of Councilmember Greenlee’s transformational paid sick leave legislation (Bill No. 141026), allowing families to care for their loved ones, avoid health care costs, and support a more productive economy

CREATING A FAIR WORKWEEK

Provides retail, hotel, and other Philadelphia employees with flexible working schedules; ten days advance notice of scheduling, predictable pay, and preference for available shifts.(Bill No. 180649-A)

Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights

Maria led Philadelphia to establish a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, the nation’s first comprehensive municipal law that provides benefits and protections for nannies, caretakers, house cleaners, and other domestic workers, and that recognizes workers’ inherent right to demand fair standards within historically unregulated and unprotected work environments. (Bill No. 190607