January 28, 2013
Susan Smith, LaborPress Albany Bureau
Senator Diane J. Savino has been named to chair the New York State Standing Committee on Labor. Savino has dedicated her professional career towards improving the lives of working families.
They just yearn for a city of good schools and good jobs – and a leader in City Hall who knows that we only succeed if we leave no New Yorker behind.
An active member of her union local, the Social Service Employees Union, Local 371, DC 37 of AFSCME, she rose through the ranks to become the Vice President for Political Action & Legislative Affairs. As a labor official, she actively campaigned for an increase in the minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.15—the first raise for New Yorkers in over a decade.
In 2004, she was elected to represent the 23rd Senatorial District, which encompasses the North and East Shores of Staten Island and portions of Southern Brooklyn, including Bensonhurst, Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Dyker Heights, Gravesend and Sunset Park.
Senator Savino has championed legislation protecting New Yorkers. Among the laws she has had enacted is the first in the nation Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, expanding basic worker protection rights to domestic workers; the Prompt Pay Bill, which ensures prompt payment to construction contractors and their employees; Wage Theft Prevention Act, assessing preventative and punitive measures on employers that steal income from their employees
“I am honored by the faith Senate Leaders Klein and Skelos have in me to help lead the Senate in crafting legislation and policy that supports the working men and women of New York,” Senator Savino continued. “I look forward to working with Governor Cuomo on the many positive labor issues he outlined in his State of the State address and 2013-14 Executive Budget – raising the minimum wage, reforming the unemployment insurance system and workers’ compensation system.”
Senator Savino is a member of the Independent Democratic Conference and has previously chaired the Senate’s Civil Service and Pensions and Children and Families Committee. In addition to chairing the Labor Committee, Senator Savino will sit on the Chamber’s Finance, Judiciary, Health, Children and Families, Civil Service and Pensions, Consumer Protection and Higher Education.
