“The public works employees were joined on Monday by…a representative from the New Orleans City Workers Organizing Committee, Lily McNee..

‘We support their demands for better wages and humane working conditions,’ McNee said. ‘No one should be treated like this, especially employees of the City of New Orleans.’

(The Lens)

“City workers advocate for a $15 minimum wage in New Orleans, Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. (Staff photo by David Grunfeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)“

(NOLA.com)

“the New Orleans City Workers Organizing Committee, a labor group, said in a statement that it welcomes any action that benefits employees, but it is ‘extremely concerned’ that the pay hikes are coupled with workforce reductions.

Four leaders of the New Orleans City Workers Organizing Committee – Lillian McNee, Lee Abbott, Joseph Colón and Leslie Bean – said in an interview Monday that the mayor’s announcement came with little notice and no input from the rank-and-file. It also fails to provide long-term assurances and has left some overworked employees wondering if they will ever see relief, they said.”

(NOLA.com)

““It’s a culture of not listening to people actually doing the work,” Price said. “My parents were in teachers unions there and the old saying there was, ‘teachers’ working conditions are students’ living conditions.’ Well, city workers’ working conditions are everyone’s living conditions.“ - Steve Price

(Verite)

“They haven’t really fought,” Abbott said. “They need good membership to have a strong hand in bargaining. But whether AFSCME will put in the resources to do that is an open question.” - Lee Abbott

(Verite)

“We are glad to finally have this policy that affects union organizing on the record in written form, as we have been seeking clarification ever since our work started [in 2020]” committee co-chair man Joseph Colón said.

(Verite)

“ ‘This legislation is about codifying the way in which we collectively bargain,’ Colón said. ‘We’re not talking about wages, benefits, protections. We’re talking about the process and structure through which that happens.’ “ - Joseph A. Colón

” ‘I’m hoping this is something we can model for the rest of the state,’ Abbott said. ‘This is something that does not exist at all. This would actually put in infrastructure for labor relations in this city for public workers. I think that’s huge.’ ” - Lee Abbott

(Verite)

“We know this ordinance will strengthen all New Orleans City workers' voices by codifying for the first time ever our rights to union representation, and demonstrate to all workers the power of collaborative organizing so that union rights will be respected in New Orleans." - NOCWOC

(Council President Moreno’s Press Release)

“Despite claims that this ordinance adds unaccountable bureaucracy or acts against the public interest, it's worth pointing out that public employees already have the right to unionize; this ordinance merely establishes how those rights are enforced. Protecting our union rights means that we will have a voice on issues of pay, benefits and working conditions that bolster working class jobs.“

- Lee M. Abbott

(NOLA.com)

“This ordinance will be a boon to the support of New Orleans City workers and may provide a template for all workers in New Orleans to organize for collective rights and power in their workplaces. We are thankful for Councilmember Moreno, her staff and the entire Council for listening to the voices of City workers,”
- Lee Abbott, Communications Director, New Orleans City Workers Organizing Committee.

(Council President Moreno’s Press Release)

"[It] allows us a voice and a right to improve our workplaces and through that hopefully the efficiency of our city services,"
- Emilie Staat, a New Orleans public library worker and co-chair

(NOLA.com)

‘Lee Abbott, a public librarian and union organizer, said that until now, City Hall workers only had organizing rights in theory, but in practice, those rights “depended entirely on the whim of each mayoral administration.”

“Once this ordinance passes, city employees’ rights will be affirmed and enforceable,” Abbott said. “Thank you.” ‘

(Verite)

“"It was always a handshake agreement with the mayor. Now it's no longer in that corner, now it's open, publicly viewable and the law is now in the code,"
- Lee Abbott, co-chair of New Orleans City Workers Organizing Committee.

(WDSU 6)